Sports

Pigskin Pick'ems - Playoff Edition

1/13/2010

Emanuel Johnson

Arizona 17 New Orleans 31 - Drew Brees and company might have looked a little shaky toward the end of the season, but don't expect rust to affect them in the playoffs.

Baltimore 21 Indianapolis 31 - The Baltimore defense surprised everyone by making Tom Brady look human, but I can't see Peyton Manning experiencing the same difficulty scoring.

Dallas 13 Minnesota 28 - The only thing that Dallas did by taking down the Eagles last week was ensure an embarrassing day trying to stop Adrian Peterson.

NY Jets 14 San Diego 24 - As long as Braylon Edwards continues to drop passes when the team needs them most, the Jets will find it difficult to score points against San Diego's experienced secondary.

Aaron Brandt

Arizona 32 New Orleans 27 - The Cardinals faced their toughest test against the Packers, and the Saints defense has been shaky lately.

Indianapolis 36 Baltimore 17 - The Ravens methodical running game will be ineffective if they have to match Peyton Manning's usual passing barrage.

Dallas 34 Minnesota 24 - Dallas has come on strong recently, while the Viking have limped into the playoffs.

NY Jets 26 San Diego Chargers 19 - The Jets are playing well enough to cover for the fact that their quarterback is a rookie, but the Chargers are historically known to choke in the playoffs.

Curtis Kalleward

New Orleans 27 Arizona 20 - The Saints starters will take a while to shake the cobwebs off but come up big late.

Indianapolis 23 Baltimore 10 - Baltimore's way of winning this year is to get ahead early and stay there. Manning won't let that happen.

Dallas 31 Minnesota 20 - Despite Peterson's strong efforts, Grandpa Favre will cement this season with several miscues and turnovers.

NY Jets 27 San Diego 13 - As long as Sanchez keeps his mistakes to a minimum, the scary-good Jets defense will rule this one.

Greg Monahan

Arizona 31 New Orleans 28 - The Saints have looked downright pitiful in their last three games, and the Cardinals high-powered offense should do just enough to pull one out in the Superdome.

Baltimore 27 Indianapolis 24 - The Ravens looked spectacular against the Patriots last week, and Colts' coach Jim Caldwell's decision to rest his starters will come back to bite them.

Dallas 27 Minnesota 34 - Cowboys should give the Vikings their best shot, but the Favre/Peterson combo will be too much for the Cowboys' defense.

NY Jets 13 San Diego 31 - Philip Rivers and the Chargers will be way too much for the Jets, who lack an efficient passing attack.

Jared Greenleaf

New Orleans 28 Arizona 24 - Quarterback Drew Brees makes big plays late in the fourth quarter, while the emotional New Orleans wills the Saints to the NFC title game.

Indianapolis 23 Baltimore 17 - As much as I want to pick the Ravens, Peyton Manning is just too tough for any defense even if it is Ray Lewis and ballhawk Ed Reed.

Dallas 27 Minnesota 13 - Brett Favre will struggle against a stingy Dallas defense. Meanwhile, Felix Jones will rush for two touchdowns giving the Cowboys the victory.

San Diego 21 NY Jets 14 - Mark Sanchez will put up a fight in his return to California, but Philip Rivers to make just enough plays against the Jets defense to get the W.

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