NFL Divisional Playoffs

The best weekend of the football year is upon us, as the top teams are all in action and we have four pretty good matchups.

We got off to a 4-0 start against the spread on our playoff picks last weekend, continuing a hot hand from the 2007 playoffs, when we went 9-2.

Let's hope the magic continues.

You have an extra bonus this weekend as none of the games are on NBC, so you don't have to go out of your way to avoid the odious Keith Olbermann.

SATURDAY
Seahawks +8 PACKERS: Seattle has been pretty good on the road during the playoffs in recent years, keeping games close against Green Bay and Chicago, so I expect that trend to continue. Seahawks capitalized on Washington turnovers last week and good pass rush should force Brett Favre into a couple of mistakes. At the same time, Seattle's run game has been limited, so Matt Hasselbeck will be forced to throw plenty. Packers should be able to run with Ryan Grant. Spread's a bit high here, but home advantage means Packers get the slight edge. Packers 30-27

Jaguars +13.5 PATRIOTS: Jacksonville was fortunate to escape Pittsburgh last week after blowing 18-point lead. No shot they get that far ahead of the Patriots, who've had two weeks to rest and devise a scheme to slow down vaunted Jags running game. Weather will be in the high 30's at game time, so that's no factor. What is a factor is New England is 16-0 for a reason, and that's Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker and the aerial circus. Jags stick around for a while, but this should never be in doubt. Patriots 33-21

SUNDAY
Chargers +9 COLTS: Everyone expects Peyton Manning and the Colts to run roughshod over a Charger team that looked a bit shaky last week. But San Diego did beat them this season and has had past success in the RCA Dome. Manning threw six INT's in their November meeting, and while that won't happen again, Chargers should be able to force a couple of mistakes. How well Indy contains LaDainian Tomlinson is key, as Chargers have lost Antonio Gates, so don't expect much from Philip Rivers. Colts sweat one out. Colts 26-24

Giants +7.5 COWBOYS: A couple of fun facts at play here. Dallas hasn't won a playoff game since Barry Switzer led them to victory in Super Bowl XXX and Wade Phillips has never won a playoff game. When last seen in the playoffs, his Buffalo team was bamboozled by the Music City Miracle in Nashville. So what you've got here is a New York team playing with house money and supreme confidence, getting contributions from an assortment of rookies and free agents, and a quarterback in Eli Manning who came of age last week in Tampa. Terrell Owens will play, but should be limited, Tony Romo is under the microscope in Dallas and while the Giants defense may not sack him much, they should be able to contain him and force enough pressure that may result in a couple of turnovers. Giants will be able to stretch the field in the passing game and the 1-2 punch of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw could yield a big day on the ground. Our only upset of the week. Giants 28-24