Andy Capwell’s NFL Playoff Picks

What a great time to be a football fan! The college bowl season is in full swing, with the BCS Championship game next week with Notre Dame versus Alabama. The NFL playoffs kick-off this weekend with four games. It sounds like a weekend with plenty of couch sitting, chili eating and channel surfing!

I am going to look back at my NFL predictions from the beginning of the season. They were some very bad picks but my predictions for the AFC and NFC Championship games and the Superbowl are still viable! My predicted AFC division winners were New England, Baltimore, Tennessee and Kansas City. My predicted NFC division winners were NY Giants, Green Bay, New Orleans and San Francisco. I had the AFC championship game as New England and Baltimore and the NFC championship game as Green Bay versus San Francisco. I had New England over San Francisco in the Superbowl. So they were some bad picks but the early playoff picks could still happen!

Now for this weekend. I see four toss-up games. I'll start in the AFC, Baltimore hosting Indianapolis. Ray Lewis announcing his retirement should fire up the Ravens. The Colts have finished the season strong and their head coach Chuck Pagano has been an inspiring story. My heart says Colts, my head leans towards the Ravens. I'll go with Baltimore.

The Bengals at Houston. Houston has lost 3 or their last 4 games and lost a first round bye. Their offense has slumped and the defense hasn't been the same since the Patriots lit them up. The Bengals aren't flashy but they are steady on both sides of the ball. I'll take Cincy in an upset.

Now for the NFC. Green Bay hosting Minnesota. What a great game last Sunday that saw Adrian Peterson continue his MVP worthy season and the Packers show they have a great quarterback with Aaron Rodgers. I'll take Green Bay in a close one.

Seattle visits Washington and in this is the game I am looking forward to the most. Two terrific rookie quarterbacks is the headline. Seattle has one of the leagues best defenses but have a losing road record. I'll lean slightly toward Seattle for the upset.

Enjoy the games this weekend and look for more playoff picks next week.