NFL Playoff Predictions: After New Yorks Go Down In The Same Day, Mannings Go Down In Back-To-Back Weeks

I have long enjoyed making NFL predictions. However, I have gotten off track this season. I used to make predictions for the season and postseason at the beginning of the year, and then update those predictions at mid-season. I have failed to do that this season, and I have missed written predictions for "Wild-Card Weekend". I did, however, consider who I thought would win, and everyone who I thought would be the realistic winners did win their games. I would have rather seen Kansas City and the New York Jets win their games, though. The NFC's two games both turned out how I hoped they would. (GO IGGLES! Again, not a type-up, but the legendary way Philadelphia pronounces and occasionally spells our Birds.)

Now, I will make my predictions on the Divisional Round. I would like to make predictions for the whole playoffs, but let's take it one step at a time.


COLTS @ RAVENS
Poor Peyton tries, but just can't get it done against that tough Baltimore defense. The Ravens find a good running game against that lackluster Indy defense. SOMEBODY GET THAT FAMILY SOME HELP! Mannings go down in back-to-back weeks and Archie's sons remain futile in the NFL Playoffs.

BALTIMORE 24 INDIANAPOLIS 10


EAGLES @ SAINTS
Everyone seems to be on the "Big Easy" bandwagon and getting high on it. Most people are forgetting the team that NBC's Mike Celizic calls the "feel-good story of 2006". He didn't mean New Orleans when he said it. NBC contributor Bill Williamson says Philadelphia is the "lone NFC team without issues." N.O. and Philadelphia both have had 10-6 records through the regular season. The Saints won on a last-second field goal in a game during the regular season that they dominated early but witnessed the Birds come storming back late. The 2001 Philadelphia Eagles had a No. 3 seed heading into the playoffs and faced up against a No. 2 Chicago Bears team in the Windy City. The "Iggles" won 33-19. The Birds have a good defense and a great defensive coordinator in Jim Johnson. You'll see them use that defense to slow Reggie Bush and Drew Brees. Jeff Garcia may not be the best QB, but he gets the job done, and he knows the West Coast Offense, which makes him a good fit in Philadelphia. Brian Westbrook is an explosive running back, and will be the best offensive weapon for the Birds. New Orleans is a good team, but too many are expecting them to roll to the NFC title. The "Big Easy" will find that it is not so easy in the playoffs, and Philadelphia knows that it is not easy. They are battle-tested. This one could come down to a field goal again, but I expect it to be none other than our trusty David Akers to nail in the necessary points and make the Saints the Ain'ts again this year.
"GO BIRDS!"

PHILADELPHIA 20 NEW ORLEANS 17


SEAHAWKS @ BEARS
This is a game pitting two teams with serious issues. Seattle is a fair team. However, so is Chicago. Rex Grossman is not a great QB, while Matt Hasselbeck can get the job done...uh...
most times. Somehow, I think that both top seeds in the NFC will fall apart this week. If these predictions hold up, watch for a "Battle of the Birds" in The City Of Brotherly Love.

SEATTLE 27 CHICAGO 20


PATRIOTS @ CHARGERS
I have to admit, New England is impressive. Somehow, they just find a way to win. Take away a fantastic kicker and a successful wide receiver and they still win. This time they face San Diego, though. The Chargers have a great running back (as if we haven't heard that enough).
Put in enough Chargers defense and that running back, and I think there is your recipe for the Patriots' second-straight fall in the divisional round.

SAN DIEGO 24 NEW ENGLAND 17



Now we'll just sit back and wait for this weekend to unfold. It sure promises to be a thriller!

NFL: Iggles Still Alive And Flapping

No, that is not a misspelling. We Philadelphia sports fans call our Birds the "Iggles" often times.
Anywho, we're still as alive as the bald eagle is off the endangered list. After being down 14-7 at the half, and down 21-14 to start the fourth quarter, Philadelphia prevailed over Carolina on the national stage by a final of 27-24. Two fourth quarter interceptions were key in this game, one by Lito Sheppard with around a half-minute left. The other one came earlier in the quarter by Brian Dawkins, which ended in a field goal for David Akers to end the game's scoring and give the Eagles their first lead of the game. Akers was another key in this game. Philadelphia QB Jeff Garcia had a great performance, passing for 21/39 for 312 yards, 3 TDs and 0 interceptions.
That was his best outing since when he played for Cleveland against his current team in 2004.

The playoff picture in the NFC is now growing blurred. with the victory, the Iggles are among four teams with 6-6 records. Three more trail with 5-7 on the standings. As it stands now, New York and Philadelphia would be the two wild cards after all the tie-breakers are used. This is how the NFC picture looks:

Chicago NFC North 10-2
New Orleans NFC South 8-4
Seattle NFC West 8-4
Dallas NFC East 8-4
New York Wild Card 6-6
Philadelphia Wild Card 6-6
Atlanta 6-6
Carolina 6-6
San Francisco 5-7
Minnesota 5-7
St. Louis 5-7