NFL Divisional Playoffs: 2010-11

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers: This is the match up most people expected and wanted to see. This rivalry is one of the best in the NFL, and will only get better during playoff time. Both regular season games were decided by three points, each team winning one game. This game will not be any different. Look for a low scoring slugfest with both defenses making big plays. Give me the Ravens in an “upset”.
My Pick: Ravens 20 Steelers 17

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons: These two teams have already met this year as well, with the Falcons winning on a last second field goal by Matt Bryant. Matt “Matty Ice” Ryan has quickly become one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Atlanta was the best team in the NFC during the regular season, but everyone knows the playoffs are a different animal. If the Falcons secondary can keep Aaron Rodgers from throwing all over the field, they should be able to win the game. This is a hard choice, but give me the Packers on the road.
My Pick: Green Bay 30 Atlanta 24

New York Jets @ New England Patriots: Another great rivalry that will get better in the playoffs. While this game should be good, the regular season gave us two very different outcomes. The Jets won the early season matchup by two TD’s, but the most recent matchup was the worst performance by the Jets all season, a 45-3 loss. The Patriots are once again led by MVP Tom Brady and the “no name” offense. The Pats defense has been playing making plays and getting better as the season has progressed. The key to this game will be the play of Mark Sanchez. His up and down play throughout the regular season will spell trouble against the NFL’s best regular season team. Look for this game to start slow, with both offenses picking up steam in the second half.
My Pick: New England 27 New York 23

Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears: The most surprising team of the 2010 NFL season has been the Chicago Bears. No one expected the Bears to win their division ahead of teams such as the Packers and Vikings, but each week Chicago kept getting better. Win after win the experts still had doubts. The other surprise team has been the Seattle Seahawks. Not because of their “great” season, but because of their surprising first round win over the Saints. In their game earlier this season, the Seahawks were able to squeak out a win behind great play from Hasselbeck and Mike Williams. I think the magic continues for the Seahawks. Not jumping on the bandwagon, just think they can win one more.
My Pick: Seattle 23 Chicago 20