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NFC Divisional Playoffs

Eagles at Giants This is a battle between two evenly-matched teams. The Giants have the home-field advantage and have won behind a stout defense, Kerry Collins and Tiki Barber. Despite losing Duce Staley early in the season and not having an adequate replacement, the Eagles have kept winning thanks to do-everything QB Donovan McNabb and an equally solid defense. Face it, McNabb is what makes the Eagles tick. He can take control of the game and win it singlehandedly. I'll take the Eagles 17-13.

Saints at Vikings After starting the season 7-0, the Viqueens literally limped (with all due respect to Daunte Culpepper) into the 2nd seed and 1st round bye by virtue of the Bucs losing to the Packers. Culpepper's injury restricts him to remaining in the pocket if he can survive the entire game thus placing more of a burden on Robert Smith. Minnesota also has one of the worst defensive units in the league and 29th against the pass which is what the Saints will do a lot of presumably without Ricky Williams. As for the Saints, how do they do it? They lost Williams, they lost Jeff Blake (and found their QB of the future in Aaron Brooks), they lost Joe Horn (although Willie Jackson stepped up big time last week). Are they doing it with smoke and mirrors? Will they win another playoff game or will the glass slipper fall off? Here's an interesting fact: The Saints are 7-1 on the road and counting last week's playoff victory over St. Louis, 4-5 at home. Quick, can anyone name the last team that went this far with a losing home record? I think the 8-point line in favor of Minnesota is a stretch. In fact as poorly as the Vikings played losing their last 3 regular season games, I think the only thing going for them is the bye week. Culpepper won't be 100% so if the Saints play smart, contain Robert Smith and Randy Moss and if Brooks takes what the defense gives him, there could be some celebrating on Bourbon St. around 3:00 Saturday afternoon. But they absolutely cannot play like they did in the 4th quarter of the wildcard game. Saints 28-17

AFC Divisional Playoffs

Dolphins at Raiders The Raiders have won their last 4 home games by an average score of something like 40-12. Does anyone remember what happened to the Dolphins the last time they had a road playoff game? (62-7 Jacksonville). Which Jay Fiedler will show up? The one who threw 3 interceptions in the 1st half or the one who ralled the Fish back from a 14-0 deficit to win 23-17 in overtime over Indianapolis? Can Lamar Smith run on the Raider D? Oakland's offense behind Rich Gannon and the running back duo of Napoleon Kaufman and Tyrone Wheatley could be one of the most underrated units in the league. The Dolphins need to bring their A game or this will get ugly fast. Raiders 31-10

Ravens at Titans This is a battle between two outstanding defenses and two equally unimpressive offenses. The Ravens are the only team to defeat the Titans at Adelphia Coliseum although Baltimore endured a stretch of five games without an offensive touchdown before benching Tony Banks in favor of ex-Buc Trent Dilfer. Tennessee can play defense with anyone but Baltimore's defense has been in the zone this year. And having a former Tampa Bay QB can't hurt. Ravens 13-10


	George The Greek \| home Prediction Zone \| Favorite Players \| News \| Guest book \| Related Links \| Contact Me \| Post-Game Reports \| Game Report Archive Prediction Zone NFC Divisional Playoffs Eagles at Giants This is a battle between two evenly-matched teams. The Giants have the home-field advantage and have won behind a stout defense, Kerry Collins and Tiki Barber. Despite losing Duce Staley early in the season and not having an adequate replacement, the Eagles have kept winning thanks to do-everything QB Donovan McNabb and an equally solid defense. Face it, McNabb is what makes the Eagles tick. He can take control of the game and win it singlehandedly. I'll take the Eagles 17-13. Saints at Vikings After starting the season 7-0, the Viqueens literally limped (with all due respect to Daunte Culpepper) into the 2nd seed and 1st round bye by virtue of the Bucs losing to the Packers. Culpepper's injury restricts him to remaining in the pocket if he can survive the entire game thus placing more of a burden on Robert Smith. Minnesota also has one of the worst defensive units in the league and 29th against the pass which is what the Saints will do a lot of presumably without Ricky Williams. As for the Saints, how do they do it? They lost Williams, they lost Jeff Blake (and found their QB of the future in Aaron Brooks), they lost Joe Horn (although Willie Jackson stepped up big time last week). Are they doing it with smoke and mirrors? Will they win another playoff game or will the glass slipper fall off? Here's an interesting fact: The Saints are 7-1 on the road and counting last week's playoff victory over St. Louis, 4-5 at home. Quick, can anyone name the last team that went this far with a losing home record? I think the 8-point line in favor of Minnesota is a stretch. In fact as poorly as the Vikings played losing their last 3 regular season games, I think the only thing going for them is the bye week. Culpepper won't be 100% so if the Saints play smart, contain Robert Smith and Randy Moss and if Brooks takes what the defense gives him, there could be some celebrating on Bourbon St. around 3:00 Saturday afternoon. But they absolutely cannot play like they did in the 4th quarter of the wildcard game. Saints 28-17 AFC Divisional Playoffs Dolphins at Raiders The Raiders have won their last 4 home games by an average score of something like 40-12. Does anyone remember what happened to the Dolphins the last time they had a road playoff game? (62-7 Jacksonville). Which Jay Fiedler will show up? The one who threw 3 interceptions in the 1st half or the one who ralled the Fish back from a 14-0 deficit to win 23-17 in overtime over Indianapolis? Can Lamar Smith run on the Raider D? Oakland's offense behind Rich Gannon and the running back duo of Napoleon Kaufman and Tyrone Wheatley could be one of the most underrated units in the league. The Dolphins need to bring their A game or this will get ugly fast. Raiders 31-10 Ravens at Titans This is a battle between two outstanding defenses and two equally unimpressive offenses. The Ravens are the only team to defeat the Titans at Adelphia Coliseum although Baltimore endured a stretch of five games without an offensive touchdown before benching Tony Banks in favor of ex-Buc Trent Dilfer. Tennessee can play defense with anyone but Baltimore's defense has been in the zone this year. And having a former Tampa Bay QB can't hurt. Ravens 13-10