It’s been quite the NFL postseason, or so I hear.
See, I don’t believe in wild-card games. Never have, never will.
So while the NFL fans among you were throwing down light beers and chewing through tons of pretzels last week, I sat in the tall grass and waited.
I was not stung by the Marty Schottenheimer curse. I was not fooled by the Seattle Seahawks. I did not let my affection for Brett Favre cloud my judgment.
I was not intimidated into picking the Broncos.
In short, I wussed out.
But the real games start this weekend. Let’s roll.
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SATURDAY
N.Y. Jets (11-6) at Pittsburgh (15-1)
3:30 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
Things you should know: The NFL fined Jets linebacker Eric Barton $7,500 for that hit on Chargers QB Drew Brees. If I’m Barton, I cut a check for $15,000 and tell the league the extra is for this weekend. But if San Diego’s Opie the Placekicker comes through, the Jets don’t get this all-expenses paid trip to beautiful Pittsburgh where New York is 0-6 all time. Oh, and the Steelers were undefeated at home this season.
The line: Steelers by 8 1 1/42 Over/under: 34 1 1/42
Final shake: Steelers. Jets coach Herman Edwards and Steelers coach Bill Cowher were once teammates on the Eagles. Huh.
St. Louis (9-8) at Atlanta (11-5)
7 p.m., WFLD-Ch. 32
Things you should know: Michael Vick, Michael Vick, Michael Vick. Oh, you want me to back this up with numbers? The Falcons beat the Rams 34-17 this season, and the Rams are 3-6 on the road. If the Rams win, they become darlings. If they lose, they should stay a few days in Atlanta and see the Coca-Cola museum.
The line: Falcons by 7 Over/under: 48 Final shake: Falcons. Sorry, darling.
SUNDAY
Minnesota (9-8) at Philadelphia (13-3)
Noon, WFLD-Ch. 32
Things you should know: If Terrell Owens is healthy, this discussion is over. But he’s out and he took his 14 of the
Eagles 32 receiving scores with him. So now the Vikings can focus on Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, who can’t run for daylight against a stacked Vikings defense. I’ve re-enacted this whole scenario at home on my electric football table.
The line: Eagles by 8 1 1/42
Over/under: 34 1 1/42
Final shake: Vikings. And McNabb just vibrates and spins in place.
Indianapolis (13-4) at New England (14-2)
3:30 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
Things you should know: So the Patriots beat the Colts 27-24 back in September, but that was before Peyton Manning threw 49 TDs against just 10 picks. That still blows my little mind. Now on top of that, realize that New England’s secondary is so banged up they’ve thrown wide receiver Troy Brown out there. Tempting to take the Colts over the NFL champs, isn’t it? Tempting like chocolate, vanilla and butterscotch fudge.
The line: Patriots by 1 1 1/42
Over/under: 51 1 1/42
Final shake: Colts. I caved. Now pass that fudge!
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Edited by Chris Malcolm (ccmalcolm@tribune.com) and alBerto Trevino (atrevino@tribune.com)
