NFL 2007 Forecast: Divisonal Playoffs

Samuel Johnson, an 18-century English writer, once said, "Few enterprises of great labor or hazard would be undertaken if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages we expect from them."

Picture a professional wildlife hunter three days before he is to lead a two-week hunting expedition in Africa. Imagine a teenager the night before he is to go buy his first car with this father. Visualize an actor or actress getting dressed a couple of hours before attending the world premiere of their first motion picture.

And, then there's me living each day drowning in enthusiastic hunger leading up to the NFL Playoffs.

I'm like an 12-year-old the night before Christmas morning wondering what is in store for me and passionately being patient for the experience of flooding myself with family, wrapping paper, and "needs."

Anticipation of the unknown can be extremely invigorating or spine-chilling, and while this is true in life, it's also a fact when it comes to this time of year as these gridiron franchises wage war to lay claim to The Lombardi.

The campaign began last weekend when NY journeyed into south Florida take on the Buccaneers hoping that their hot road streak would continue. Most of Tampa's starters had been rested for three weeks, and the Giants do have a reputation of being inconsistent especially at QB this year. Turnovers, a steady offensive attack, and a disruptive pass rush were enough to buckle the Bucs squad and send them home early as the G-men won a trip to Texas Stadium.

In Seattle, the "Hawks welcomed a Washington team that was riding an emotional tidal wave due to the spirit and memory of Sean Taylor and the emergence of QB Todd Collins which fueled a four-game win streak leading up to this game. What transpired stunned the Skins. Their confidence level was sky-high but Seattle's defense came alive like a Brahma bull on crack and dominated the trenches. Add a nice performance by QB Matt Hasselbeck and some fortunate bounces and the Seahawks find themselves heading to Lambeau.

By halftime, many Chargers fans wondered if another first-round exit was upon them as Tennessee held an ugly 6-0 lead. San Diego had managed only three yards rushing and three first downs, but the second half was a different story. The Bolts unleashed 17 unanswered points which included an L.T. dive into the end zone on fourth down in the 4th quarter which served as a dagger in the hearts of the Titans faithful. The Titans went back to Music City while the Chargers geared up for a visit to Indiana to face the defending champs.

While home-field advantage in the playoffs is viewed as a huge advantage, there are times when it serves no purpose but to be the venue where the home team gets humiliated. This was the case right off the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers as Pittsburgh succumbed to Jacksonville with less than a minute left after erasing an 18-point deficit. With 37 seconds left, J-town kicked a 25-yard field goal to suck all the air out of Heinz Field and catapult the Jags to the blistery NE to try and whither the Patriots snowstorm.

What do these eight battles hold? Will the #1 & 2 seeds of each conference prevail or will we witness a colossal upset? Is a perfect season in jeopardy? How will weather affect the outcomes? Will we see an unsung hero come off the bench and make history?

I can't wait!

• Seattle Seahawks (11-6) at Green Bay Packers (13-3): FOX, 4:30pm EST, Saturday - "We want the ball and we're going to score." These words were uttered by Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck on January 4, 2004 at the coin toss before OT. On the opening possession, Hasselbeck threw the ball to CB Al Harris who returned it 52 yards for the winning TD. Up until that play, Seattle proved that it had the personnel to beat the Pack in Lambeau and this contest won't be any different. The key for the Pack is to rattle and roll Hasselbeck, who is the key to this one-dimensional offense, and give Favre time to work his playoff magic vs. his former mentor in Mike Holmgren. I expect this to be a very close game but Green Bay is more balanced and has an underrated defense. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Jacksonville Jaguars (12-5) at New England Patriots (16-0): CBS, 7pm EST, Saturday - This explosive Patriots blitzkrieg rampaged through the league in 2007 and left smoking carnage on the horizon. It didn't come all that easy as they encountered some challenges along the way, but Tom Brady and Co. always found a way to win utilizing his powerful arsenal and relying on the aged-yet-dominant defense. Jacksonville is also a force to be reckoned with. This team stayed under the radar all season displaying a powerful running game, QB depth, and a resilient defense. They are also very physical and could pose some serious problems against this New England defense who has also showed signs of struggling against the run the last few weeks. Not a good combination vs. a Jag machine that is hitting on all cylinders. J-town can win this game, but the elite status of this rested New England team is just too much to overlook. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• San Diego Chargers (12-5) at Indianapolis Colts (13-3): CBS, 1pm EST, Sunday - The 2007 season headlines have been dominated by the Patriots' path towards perfection, Tony Romo & His Cowboys, and Brett Favre's revitalization. Missing from the spotlight is the season that Indy is having without their star WR in Marvin Harrison. The Colts are still the defending champions, and will have Harrison's services vs. San Diego after missing most of the season with a knee injury. Indy's defense has been the story this season and they will have to be on their toes in order to contain LaDainian Tomlinson and force QB Philip Rivers to win it with his arm. The Chargers also have a group on defense that is ranked 2nd in the league and must put pressure on Peyton Manning who threw 6 interceptions the last time these teams met on Nov. 11th. Something tells me this may be decided by Adam Vinatieri. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
• NY Giants (10-6) at Dallas Cowboys (13-3): FOX, 4:30pm EST, Sunday - "You can't be satisfied with what you're doing. It's about the bigger picture and keeping this thing going." Giants QB Eli Manning words pretty much wrap up what every team's motivation this Sunday, but part of this team's bigger picture is their hunger to knock of Big D on their turf in their third meeting this season. This road venture does not faze the G-men as they are 8-1 on the road including last week's pounding of Tampa Bay. Their defense's blitz packages must have success against QB Tony Romo who shouldn't have much trouble throwing the ball. Look for Dallas to come out throwing to get that early lead. WR Terrell Owens is questionable but do expect him to play along with Terry Glenn who should see his first extensive action since the pre-season. Will their lost momentum in December, Romo's romp in Mexico with Jessica Simpson, and T.O.'s health cripple Dallas and create an upset? At first, I truly believed that it would, but I am now going to be at the game, and Dallas is 9-1 in the ten games I've attended. EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 4-0, 181-79

Cris Carter: 3-1, 175-85

Bob Costas: 3-1, 172-88

Dan Marino: 3-1, 170-90

Eddie Chinn: 1-3, 169-91

Chris Mortensen: 2-2, 166-94

Sean Salisbury: 4-0, 165-94