Weekend Warriors: NFL Divisional Playoff Preview

Now that all of that New Orleans jazz is over and done with, it's time to focus on the bigger picture: the NFL Playoffs. 

After last week's debacle, I'm hoping for better results as the Elite Eight prepare for battle this weekend. 

From the chilly backyard of Foxboro to the heat of Texas Stadium all the way up to the "Frozen Tundra of Lambeau," this weekend's games will have people frothing at the mouth for better results than the Wild Card. 

Here's the rundown of the Conference Divisional Playoffs.

 
AFC

San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts

This game can be described by one simple word: insanity.

That's the feeling that Chargers fans get whenever the Bolts play the Pats or Colts.

They already know who's on the other side of the field. They know that he's slowly but surely always methodically picked apart their beloved team year after year.

In contrast, Indy hasn't forgotten what happened a few moons ago when they were on pace for an undefeated season only to get derailed by the Charger—in the Colts' own backyard, no less.

This game has many deciding factors, but what it comes down to is whether Indy's season-ending loss to Tennessee was just that—a loss. Granted, not many of the Colts' first stringers played after the first set of plays—but if they have to rely on their backups, they're in trouble.

In contrast, the Chargers have to deal with the fact that Philip Rivers is still inconsistent. They have to deal with the fact that they are not favored in any more games from here on out for once.

And they have to hope that LT #2 will have to reach into his ancient bag of tricks and become the Human Joystick once more instead of the second Version of Kordell Stewart. LT can't do it all, but don't tell Norv Turner that. He's just happy he made it out of Wild Card Weekend.

But this is Indy. In a few years, their home will change. They're hoping that they can at least muster up the energy to beat San Diego and prepare for an imminent showdown once more with the Patriots. Colts win this one—but they better stop LT this time, or their vulnerability will be known by everyone...including anyone with a video camera and a VCR.

Final Score: Colts 27, Chargers 17

Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots

Though it's obvious who will win this game, it's still a great game to watch.

The Jags pulled off the "unthinkable" and beat Pittsburgh, despite cold temperatures that usually favor the Steelers.

(Off the subject, who else loved the resurrection of the Immaculate Reception via Hines Ward?)

Back on subject, Jacksonville is still considered the hottest team in the playoffs right now. They have not one, but two dangerous backs. The combination of old school (Fred Taylor) and new school (Maurice Jones-Drew) has provided a perfect one-two punch for the Jags.

And let's not get started on David Garrard. He has been quite a sweet replacement to the booted Byron Leftwich. Just don't tell the Patriots that.

The Patriots thrive on pressure. That's how they got their reputation as the toughest team to beat at home. Jacksonville is good at applying pressure—and if you don't believe that, just ask Ben Roethlisberger.

But the Pats have a set of dangerous receivers in Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, and Wes Welker. And if any of them get open, don't expect Tom Brady to hesitate a bomb in their direction—especially since any of them can catch it.

There are few stadiums that can hold blood-thirsty fanatics in freezing cold. Gillette Stadium happens to be one of those. The fans are die hard and love their Patriots. The Patriots seem to play harder when they're at home. (If anyone knows that, it's Eli Manning.) The Patriots finished the regular season undefeated, and plan on continuing that perfect season all the way to Arizona.

As good as the Jags have been, and as cunning as Jack Del Rio is, no one is better at mind games than Bill Belichick, and no team is better in clutch performance than New England. So tell the "Man-Genius" to take notes—just don't set his VCR to record for this one.

Final Score: Patriots 37, Jaguars 28

NFC

Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers

This feels like another case of déjà vu.

Lambeau Field is the site of a playoff game. That's one.

Brett Favre will be the quarterback for the Packers. That's two.

Mike Holmgren is back in the playoffs. That's three.

Wait. Something's wrong...

I got it! Holmgren is against the Lambeau faithful instead of with them this time around. As for Favre, I think he's never looked better than right now.

The Seahawks finally woke up and realized that they have to play to stay alive. After their defense led the charge, Matt Hasselbeck did what he has done pretty much all season—he carried the offense on his back and never looked back.

He'll definitely have to do that against the Pack because, even though it wasn't get talked about as much as everybody else this season, their defense is just as dangerous as their offense.

Depending on which Shaun Alexander shows up for this one, he may come close to 100 yards, but he'll have to watch someone else do what he used to be able to do. Led by Patrick Kerney, the 'Hawks defense will have to rely on whatever intimidation they have left from the Washington game to win this one in the Packers' backyard.

The Packers are led by their field general. To call him a legend would be an insult—mainly because he's not just a legend. Like the Patriots, Favre is used to pressure, and he's proven that over and over again.

Green Bay hasn't had a legit running game since the days of Dorsey Levens and Ahman Green, but Ryan Grant has fixed that problem quite nicely. Grant is making sure that when DeShawn Wynn returns healthy next season, he will do so knowing that his job is on the line.

As for the receiving corps, it's a tale of two Donalds. Thankfully, though, both have hair that  doesn't actually creep people out. Donald Driver is being himself and getting the job done in the process. Donald Lee is running the show—and he's got the numbers to prove he's threat to any corner that is covering him.

In a matter of speaking, and with all due respect to Mike Holmgren, the Seahawks weren't given a fair chance by me last week. But I assure you, I am giving them the benefit of the doubt. If Hasselbeck and the defense can stick to the game plan from last week, they might be able to knock the second-seeded Packers.

But Brett Favre doesn't have to show any intimidation. His play is intimidating enough for him. The 'Hawks are still not at 100 percent, and those freezing temps won't make it better.

Besides, Green Bay loves playing at home, especially in the playoffs. In fact, the last time the Packers were this good, they won the Super Bowl. Coincidence? Maybe.

Final Score: Packers 27, Seahawks 13

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

They started the season firing at each other. One team's season will end the same way.

This game has it all. It has two quarterbacks with something to prove (Eli Manning and Tony Romo), two running backs stepping up at the perfect time (Brandon Jacobs and Marion Barber III), and two wide receivers who have tasted the Super Bowl and want more (Plaxico Burress and Terrell Owens).

This hasn't even taken into account the fact that Tom Coughlin is battling for his job while Wade Phillips is basking in the glow of division supremacy.

For the Giants to win, they have to do exactly what they did in the first game—the only difference being that they have to win this one.

These two teams gave everyone some much-needed conversation in their Week One showdown. Manning played just like he did then last weekend against Jeff Garcia and the Buccaneers, and in the end, Coughlin's job was safe—for now.

Jacobs is no Tiki Barber, and his teammates couldn't be happier about that. Amid all the off-season controversy led by Barber, the Giants persevered and clawed their way back into postseason contention.

It is no surprise that the G-Men are taking this game more seriously than usual. This isn't just a playoff game for them; it's a playoff game against their division rival.

If defense wins championships, then Romo's offense is cheating somewhere. Or maybe they're just that good. Every week, the Cowboys leave everyone gasping for air. The reasons, though, vary.

Weather is obviously not a factor in Big D, but the former holders of the title "America's Team" have to play almost mistake-free. The Giants are motivated, and now it's time to see if Tony has gotten that playoff blunder out of his head.

But this isn't Seattle, and most likely they won't be seeing the Seahawks anytime soon—unless they meet on the golf course. T.O. has to be better than he was in his last few games, unless they decide to cover him, and Jason Witten is a perfect complement to the words invisible and elusive.

To put this game into perspective would take too long. The Giants are dangerous, but the Cowboys are looking to break that 11-year curse of zero playoff wins. And since this has been the season of shockers and first-timers, I say that Dallas gets the win, and maybe—just maybe—we'll get a championship game worth watching in the NFC.

If the Giants lose this weekend, don't expect to see Tom Coughlin back with them next season. If the Cowboys lose this weekend, don't expect anyone to be nice about it.

But the ultimate X-Factor for Dallas: Jessica Simpson. If there's a way to give her the wrong directions to Texas Stadium, then Dallas has a chance. Don't believe that? The one-and-only game that Jessica attended this season was a loss to Eagles.

The next week, Carolina tried this method and it didn't work. The Sports Gods work in mysterious ways.

Final Score: Cowboys 45, Giants 35

That's my take. Support your local boozehounds and boos-hounds. See ya Monday.