NFL Playoff Picture

My long and distinguished history as the worst prognosticator will be on full display here:

• NFC Wildcard: Seattle over St. Louis. The Rams have won both regular-season meetings, but Seattle isn't as bad as that record might indicate. They'll win, but not big.
• AFC Wildcard: San Diego over NY Jets. It seems weird to see the Chargers in the playoffs. It'll seem even weirder to see them in the divisional round.
• NFC Wildcard: Minnesota over Green Bay. The Pack won both regular-season meetings, but by a total of 6 points, both last-minute scores. They have the advantage of playing at Lambeau, but the Vikings have a lot to prove.
• AFC Wildcard: Indianapolis over Denver. Peyton Manning at home? Big points, no joy for the Broncos.

The two top seeds in each conference, the Eagles and Falcons in the NFC and the Steelers and the Patriots in the AFC benefit from having the weekend off while the wildcard teams fight it out.

• NFC Divisional: Philadelphia over Minnesota. This is a replay of a regular-season game where the Vikes self-destructed. Minnesota would have to play far better than they did in the regular season to win this one. I'm a Vikings fan, but I can't see the Vikes beating the Eagles at home this year.
• AFC Divisional: Pittsburgh over San Diego. The Steelers have the best show in the AFC this year; the Chargers won't be able to overcome.
• NFC Divisional: Atlanta over Seattle. Michael Vick is the Atlanta attack. If he's healthy, this is an easy win. If he's not, it's a coin-toss.
• AFC Divisional: Indianapolis over New England. Weather could be a huge factor in this game, but if the great outdoors isn't a factor, the Colts should come away with a win. If it's an ice-bowl, the Colts are going home early.

The conference championships will be:

• NFC Championship: Philadelphia over Atlanta. No question about it.
• AFC Championship: Pittsburgh over Indianapolis. Also no question about it.

An all-Pennsylvania Superbowl this year. I'll have to say it'll be the Steelers this time around. Philly just doesn't have enough firepower to knock out the Steelers, but the reverse isn't true.