Playoffs: Super Bowl XLIV

Everyone's billing this game as an offensive showdown. Yes, there are explosive weapons on both sides - Bush, Addai, Wayne, QBs, etc.

This game will come down to defense on defense, even if it's high scoring. The Saints will score on a turnover and there will be a few of them. The team woith the lower turnovers will win. See Darren Sharper return an interception into the red zone.

The Colts have momentum and Manning. They'll be sharper earlier, since the Saints will be more nervous. But if they don't establish their run game early, the Saints will quickly come back.

The Saints have Sharper and a whole city crying out for a victory. I think New Orleans wants it more.

Saints 27, Colts 24

Playoffs: Jets at Colts Prediction

The Jets need some sort of magical power to pull off this one. They've got Magic Sanchez. That's a start. But it'll come down to stopping Manning, which I'm not sure the Jets can do.

So, the Jets' dream season will fall one game short with this final score posted. Great season, great learning experience. Come back next year as one of the favorites and make it this far again.

The Colts will need to run the ball for Manning to do his thing, but I expect the ground game to pull its weight, and the defense will step up against the rookie QB. That's about it.

Jets 24, Colts 27

Playoffs: Vikings at Saints Prediction

So it's come down to this. The #1 and #2 seeds squaring off for a ticket to the big game.

With both teams being evenly matched, field position and lack of mistakes will rule the day. Turnovers that provide scoring opportunities must be taken advantage of. Whoever has more turnovers will lose. Period.

Some notes: Peterson must rush for 100 yards; it's been weeks since he's done this. Reggie Bush will have to score a touchdown or two for the Saints to win. Both quaretbacks will have to be at the top of their games for their teams to stay in teh hunt.

In the end, Favre's experience will win out over Brees', unless Favre makes a mistake late.

Vikings 31, Saints 30

Playoffs: Jets at Chargers Prediction

I like the Jets offensive line. They've earned how far they've made it thus far. But I think San Diego has the advantage. The extra week off has helped the Chargers regain some starters. This will benefit them against a tired Jets team that hasn't had a week off in months.

The Jets need Mark Sanchez and Braylon Edwards to have a exceptional games. In order for this to happen, they need to run the ball for over 200 yards, which with their line is possible. I don't see this happening against the Chargers, but if they do, they'll pull off an upset.

Tomlinson, Gates, Rivers, all big offensive names. Expect them to put up decent numbers as the Chargers spread it around, keeping the Jets defense on their toes. Tomlingson will work the outside, making the Jets line run. Gates will work the middle of the field, his height allowing him to reach high throws. Rivers will sit in the pocket and deliver the ball

Cromartie and the defense is the key. If they have a decent day, the Jets will falter, as they will be under a lot of pressure to catch up with San Diego's early scores.

The x-factor in this game will be special teams, especially field position. The more Sanchez has to take his team down a long field, the more the Chargers. Look for the Jets to shoot for the end zone from midfield early in the game. If they hit a few of these, San Diego will not hold their ground.

Jets 23, Chargers 27

Playoffs: Cowboys at Vikings Prediction

Though both teams have flashy offenses that are fun to watch, this game (like so many of late) will be dictated by the defenses. Whichever team's defense plays hardest will win this game. This means big plays by the defense. Looks for lots of sacks and plays featuring loss of yards.

For the Vikings, it's all about the front four, who need to pressure Romo. The Cowboys QB is susceptible to pressure, especially by a defensive line that led the league in sacks. But the Vikings will also have stop Jones and Barber, who've been able to run over their competition in recent weeks.

For the Cowboys, even though they've been hot, the threat of Ware and Spencer will fall short in the face of the Vikings offensive line. Dallas will need to stop the run as well as the pass magic that Farve brings to the table. Peterson won't have a 100-yard game (he's been off his game of late), but they won't be able to stop Rice and Taylor down the stretch.

Take the lead, play solid football, don't turn it over. The Vikings are more likely to do this than the Cowboys.

Cowboys 17, Vikings 24

Playoffs: Ravens at Colts Prediction

Simple. Colts have too much firepower behind Manning's arm. They're going to the Super Bowl unless the Jets or Chargers show they're unstoppable. Whether it's Wayne or Collie, they're going to move the ball 300 yards ot more throgh the air. The running game will pick up because of this.

What makes this hard in any way difficult is how well the Ravens have been playing. But it's not going to hold up this week. Their offense is too weak to score enough points against the Colts defense. Rice can run, and will well this game, but without the complementary attack through the air, they'll not make enough third downs to sustain drives, especially in the second half.

Look for the running game to stall, and for Flacco to throw a few interceptions trying to bring the Ravens back late. Won't happen. Kinda pulling for the Ravens, given how hot they've been the past few weeks, but I can't bring myself to see them winning this one.

Ravens 17, Colts 24

Playoffs: Cardinals at Saints Prediction

Look for both offenses to have big days. Hightower will run wild on the Saints, Thomas on the Cards. Bouldin, Fitzgerald, etc will catch a number of passes, racking up plenty of yards after catch. Colston, Bush, and Moore will also catch short passes and turn them into more.

The key to victory for both teams will be defense. Sharper will need to lead the Saints to victory, who will need a few interceptions to deflate Warner and the Cardinals offfense. This may take place, but not until the second half, where the Saints will pull close behind Reggie Bush's running and catches out of the backfield.

The defense on the other side of the ball will be tighter than last week, but will open up in the second half, and the Saints will put some 4th quarter points on the board.

It will be exciting and close the whole way. Defense and turnovers, uh-huh.

Cardinals 31, Saints 34

Playoffs: Packers at Cardinals Prediction

The third of three rematches, the first two of which ended up the same as last week. I see this one bucking the trend, going the going to the home team Cardinals.

Look for this matchup to be a close one, with turnovers being the key. Rodgers and Warner are both ready for this; whichever one throws the least interceptions will lead their team to victory.

The Cardinals will score early and often. Rodgers will have to get over his nerves and the crowd noise to lead his team. This is his real test as an up-and-coming starter. This may come in the second half, allowing the Packers to make a game of it, but the first half play of the Cardinals' defense will impress.

I think Arizona is in the driver's seat at home, with Fitzgerald and Hightower handling the air and ground attacks, putting in solid games with Warner at the helm.

Warner's postseason experience will ultimately make the difference.

Packers 24, Cardinals 31

Playoffs: Eagles at Cowboys Prediction

The Cowboys were impressive in their shutout of the Eagles last week, earning them the chance to host them a second week in a row in Dallas.

This week, the weather in Texas, as with the rest of the country, has turned cold, which may affect the Cowboys. Expect Philly to play with increased intensity following last week's shutout. These two factors will make this game closer than the previous meetings between the two.

Romo, Witten, and Austin are important to the Cowboys success, but Barber and Jones in their running game will be even more important, which must be established early. Most important to success though is the Cowboys defense. They must stop Phill's run hame and make them win in the air.

Speaking of the Eagles air game, look for Desean Jackson to be hot, but the key to an Eagles victory is Donovan McNabb. He made too many mistakes last week. Look to him to change up his game a bit, or return to normal. Because of this, he'll play more conservatively than usual, which will work against him in the end; the Cowboys will appoly pressure late, and he'll throw an interception near the end of the game, allowing the Cowboys to run out the clock late.

Final: Eagles 23, Cowboys 24