NFL Divisional Game Picks: Home Teams Take Control

I was preparing to write a great article about the Atlanta Hawks and how they bounced back tonight with a win in Orland after Wednesday's loss to the Magic. About five minutes into that horrible blow out, I figured I better change sports, pro leagues, and my overall focus. 

After going 4-0 last week against the spread, here are my picks for this weekend's NFL playoff games:

@Titans -3 Ravens

I like almost everything about the Ravens.  Their running back tandem of McClain and McGahee is formidable.  Their run defense and the playmakers they have on defense are unbelievable.  They have played a tough schedule and their only losses all year are to the best teams in the NFL. 

The two problems I have with them are that they are starting a rookie quarterback and that they are playing the early game on Saturday after a short work week. The lack of preparation time and rest is going to come back to haunt them in this game. I am not a big fan of Kerry Collins, but he has played better than Joe Flacco this season. 

Give Titans’ running back Chris Johnson the first 100-yard game against the Ravens this year, and give Tennessee the win.

Prediction: Titans 15, Ravens 7

@Panthers -10 Cardinals

Surprisingly, this game is the hardest to pick. That 10-point spread is daunting in an NFL playoff game. The Panthers should blow the Cardinals out. They are undefeated at home this season. WR Steve Smith is playing at an All Pro level (does anyone even remember or care that he punched a teammate in training camp and missed two games?). 

The problem for the Panthers is that they played the Cardinals a few weeks ago.  The Cardinals really should have won that game. Kurt Warner and company will have no fear. It sounds like Anquan Boldin is going to play. Edgerrin James is happy again. 

I am starting to feel the Cardinals’ momentum. There is always an exception that proves a rule and a Cardinals’ win will prove that they cannot win on the East Coast.

Prediction: Cardinals 27, Panthers 21

@Giants -4 Eagles

The Eagles are the flavor of the month in these NFL playoffs. Forget about it. Forget about the absence of Plaxico Burress. The Giants are going to manhandle these guys.  The key player to me is the Giants’ Brandon Jacobs. In limited time in the last game against the Eagles, he averaged over five yards per carry. 

When intra-divisional teams play that know each other so well, offensive execution is vital. The Giants offensive line is a disciplined unit. They will make their blocks and Jacobs will pound the ball between the tackles. 

Prediction: Giants 30, Eagles 17

@Steelers -6 Chargers

The key matchup in this game is not one player versus another player. The Steelers’ Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau has to find a way to stop Chargers’ running back Darren Sproles. LeBeau only has about 50 years of experience in the NFL, so I believe he will come up with a game plan to stop Sproles. 

Sproles reminds me of old school Browns’ running back Eric Metcalf.  Fast and elusive in space, but if you can get a hand on him he will go down.  The Steelers are the best tackling team in the NFL.  Sproles might find out exactly what it means to be a featured back in the NFL. 

Plus, I cannot take another week of Philip Rivers. Rivers needs to look out for linebackers James Harrison and Lamar Woodley.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Chargers 9