NFL Conference Championships

As we get set for the championship games today both No. 6 seeds are still alive, presenting us with the possibility of an unlikely Super Bowl matchup. Although the way things have gone the past few seasons, would anyone be shocked by that? Pittsburgh won as a No. 5 in Super Bowl XL and the Giants were a No. 5 last season. What it now comes down to is who's hot at the right time.

After rolling through the playoffs the past two years with 9-2 and 10-1 marks, we've stumbled this season to 3-5, including a 1-3 mark last weekend. We'll need to run the table from here on out to get above .500.

NFC Championship
CARDINALS +3.5 Eagles: Never thought I'd see the day when the Arizona Cardinals were hosting the NFC Championship, but here they are after destroying Carolina last week, while the Eagles have knocked off the Vikings and Giants to get here. Throw out the 48-20 Eagles win Thanksgiving night. That game may as well have been played two years ago. The Cardinals look nothing like the team that was obliterated by New England 47-7 a month ago. The key to this game is Kurt Warner controlling the ball and not fumbling or throwing bad interceptions. Arizona has put up 63 points in two playoff games while the Eagles have been inconsistent offensively. Philly was able to shut down Eli Manning last week, but Warner has too many weapons, led by all-world wideout Larry Fitzgerald. Look for a fast start from the Cardinals that will stun the Eagles and leave them struggling to play catch-up. I won't be shocked if Arizona wins going away before a raucous crowd. Cardinals 31-16

AFC Championship
STEELERS -6 Ravens: Everyone expects another low-scoring bodybag game between these hated rivals. Just one problem. Ravens are so banged up they may not be able to keep pace. Steelers really seemed to have it rolling on offense last week while Baltimore gave up huge chunks of yardage to the Titans. If Tennessee doesn't turn it over repeatedly in the red zone the Ravens get blown out. I don't see the Steelers coughing it up so much, nor do I see the Ravens putting up more than 10 or 13 points on offense. Steelers have a penchant for losing title games at home, but not this time. Steelers 27-13

NFL Divisional Playoffs

The best weekend of the NFL playoffs is upon us and we have four games that are all rematches from the regular season, including a rubber match between the Eagles and Giants.

We were 2-2 for Wild Card weekend, winning with the Ravens and Eagles.

It's snowing here in the east, so what better to do today and Sunday than watch football?

SATURDAY
Titans -3 RAVENS: Tennessee won in Baltimore 13-10 earlier this season and expect another fairly low scoring slugfest between two teams that have no love for each other. Baltimore forced their defense upon Miami last weekend, but don't look for the Titans to rely on Kerry Collins to win. Expect Tennessee to follow the blueprint used by the Giants against the Ravens and to pound it on the ground. I don't see Baltimore mustering much offense and expect Tennessee to be far more physical than Miami was and get after Joe Flacco. The loss of Kevin Mawae could hurt the Titans, but I expect them to play a safe ball-control game. Titans 21-13

Cardinals +10 PANTHERS: Cardinals were better than I expected last week and found a good rhythm after staggering down the stretch. They kept it close at Carolina back in October, losing 27-23. The loss of Anquan Boldin really hurts, however, but since Arizona is playing with house money, expect them to air it out anyway. Still, Carolina is rested and hasn't lost at home this season. They should be able to chew up the clock with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Oh, and Arizona is 0-5 in the east this year, a bad omen. Carolina 31-23

SUNDAY
GIANTS -4 Eagles: Philly was the lone road team to beat the Giants at home this year, but New York was on cruise control at the time at 11-1 and coming off the Plaxico Burress fiasco. Having already won at Philadelphia, they just didn't match the Eagles' intensity and desperation that game. Sunday is a different story. Brandon Jacobs is healthy, the team is rested and the Giants will want to assert their strength early by ramming it down Philly's throat. If they contain a banged-up Brian Westbrook as they did in their first meeting, the Eagles will be hard pressed to score much. The Giants are right where they want to be: at home defending their title with people doubting them. Too much for the Eagles to overcome. Giants 27-10

Chargers +6 STEELERS: Their first meeting in early December resulted in the only 11-10 game in NFL history and conditions tomorrow should be about the same: Snowy and in the 20s. I really like how San Diego has run off five straight wins but I have serious doubts whether Darren Sproles can come close to matching what he did against the Colts going up against the league's best defense. Still, don't underestimate the determination of Philip Rivers. Big question is whether Ben Roethlisberger has sufficiently recovered from his concussion and if he holds up. Defense rules the day here. Steelers 17-16.

NFL Wild-Card Games

A curious set of games this weekend as the visiting team is favored in three games and the fourth one is a pick'em.

First, here's a look back at what we predicted for the divisional order of finish and playoff teams entering the season.

We managed to get two right in the NFC, the Giants and Vikings. Considering the Giants are the only repeat NFC playoff team, we'll take it. In the AFC, we got half the teams correct with the Chargers, Steelers and Colts, although we had the Colts winning the AFC South.

I had the Giants winning the Super Bowl and will stick with that, although I doubt they'll be playing the Chargers, but you never know.

For the season we went 132-117-8, capped of with a 10-5-1 mark in Week 17.

Since both Saturday games are on NBC, The Olbermann Rule is in effect from approximately 4 to midnight eastern time.

SATURDAY
Falcons -2 CARDINALS: No team in the playoffs looked worse in December than the Cardinals, but since they're at home we figure they don't get smoked. Still, they can't run and are vulnerable against the run, a lethal combo. You might think Atlanta should be worried with a rookie QB on the road, but Matt Ryan isn't a typical rookie and has been running a pro offense for five years already. Falcons have had little national exposure this year, so a lot of folks will get a good look at Ryan and Michael Turner. Falcons 34-27

Colts E Chargers: The fourth meeting the past two seasons between these two, so there aren't any secrets, an margin was greater than four points, San Diego's 28-24 win in the divisional round last season. The Colts looked miserable early this year but have run off nine straight wins and Peyton Manning today won the NFL MVP. Still, Chargers are rolling, LT looks healthy and Philip Rivers is playing with a chip on his shoulder. Don't be surprised to see overtime here. Colts 31-28

SUNDAY
Ravens -3.5 DOLPHINS: Miami has been a nice rags-to-riches story but it ends here. A few reasons: Baltimore was a league best 12-3-1 against the spread, they beat the Fish 27-13 already in Miami this year and Miami plays with little margin for error while just 8-8 ATS. They've coughed up the ball the fewest times in the league, but Baltimore lives for the turnover and makes you pay for it. Ravens can pound it out and will do just enough to advance. Ravens 17-13

Eagles -3 VIKINGS: Minnesota staggered to the finish line in a bad division while Eagles are rolling. Always like the hot team in this situation. Travaris Jackson is barely serviceable at QB and after destroying Tony Romo last week Philly must be salivating for a crack at him. The only way I see the Vikings winning is if Adrian Peterson goes for about 200 yards. Good luck with that with the Eagles playing nine guys in the box daring Jackson to beat them. Seems even Minnesota fans are dubious, as they can't even sell out this game. One more tidbit: Vikings a miserable 6-10 against the spread. Eagles 24-10