It's the NFL playoffs and there is nothing else to talk about

Playoff football is better than all other professional playoffs for this simple reason. You lose once and you're out. No best of 5, no best of 7, bad days are not allowed in the NFL playoffs. This year's playoffs are really tough to predict, because the teams that are playing the best are all led by either rookie or second year QB's and recent history says that Great QB's win the big games and although they are playing above their years of experience, I don't consider them great. Predicting the playoffs isn't an exact science, it's more like a recipe, a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of history, with a touch of gut instincts. The thing about it is, that every year the recipe changes. Last year I had almost an exact recipe, picking every game right except for the Super Bowl. Do I think I can do it again, of course:

WEEK 1
Green Bay versus Minnesota
The Vikings were at home and gave the Packers their best shot and still barely won, now a week later it's a rematch and they have to go to Lambeau Field. Packers win easily

Washington versus Seattle
This is a tough one, Seattle has been on a roll of late, but Washington has been too. I really like Seattle but Washington at home will be able to overcome Seattle in the battle of rookie QB's. This will be the best game of the week.

Houston versus Cincinnati
Houston has been free falling, a loss at home to the Vikings which helped keep my Bears out of the Playoffs, followed by a loss at the Colts has dropped the Texans from home field advantage thru out the playoffs and a 1st round bye, to now playing arguably the NFL's hottest team, in the Bengals. If the Bengals can survive the early emotional onslaught by the Texans they will be in the game. I'll take the Bengals to win

Baltimore versus Indianapolis
This is a match-up of 2 resilient teams and I was already leaning toward the Ravens, but now that Ray Lewis has announced that he's retiring, no way he loses at home to a rookie QB. Ravens roll

WEEK 2
Atlanta versus Washington
Matt Ryan has got to win a playoff game at some point right? Is he destined to be the Tracy McGrady of the NFL. I don't think so. The way the Falcons dismantled the Giants in week 16, gave me a new outlook on the Falcons. They get it done against the Skins (and when I say 'skins, I mean Washington head coach Mike Shanahan, have you seen his face?)

San Francisco versus Green Bay
Has anyone been sacked more than Aaron Rodgers? I get that Green Bay is as healthy as it's been since week 1. Guess who they played week 1... yep San Fran, and San Fran rolled them then and 18 weeks later I see nothing that changes that. San Fran is just too physical for the Pack.

Denver versus Cincy

The Bengals had a great year. They just don't create the match-up problems that's needed to win a game on the road in a championship game. Sure they got a great pass rush but Manning has always beaten great pass rushes. The Broncos defense is gonna force Cincy's QB Andy Dalton to make plays and he won't be able to do it. Plain and simple.The Broncos will win by 10

New England versus Baltimore
Revenge will be on the mind of the Ravens, after last years playoff ouster, but they have been far too inconsistent to be able to keep the Pats from moving on. Flacco will have to at the very least be nearly as good as Brady and Ray Rice will have to be spectacular as well, I don't see both happening. I'll take the Pats please!!!

Week 3
Atlanta versus San Francisco
At the beginning of the year I picked San Franciso to go to the Super Bowl. I really like them and with that defense, they can win anywhere... almost. They got crushed in a dome against the Vikings earlier this year, loss to the Rams in a dome and got crushed in Seattle, which is dome like. Guess where Atlanta plays? Plus I got a weird feeling about Matt Ryan, this is the Falcons year and they will get it done with an underrated defense and all sorts of offensive weapons. If that's not enough, it's Tony Gonzalez's last year and the greatest tight end ever should play in at least one Super Bowl.

Denver versus New England
Manning and Brady will do it again and they will do it well. The fact that the Broncos saw the Patriots earlier this year will serve them well. Also Brady in the last few years has been inconsistent in the playoffs. i still maintain that last year Flacco out played him in the AFC championship game and he missed a couple of throws that should have won him the Super Bowl. These guys are really about as even as they come so I gotta take Manning over Brady in a very close game

Super Bowl XLVII
Denver versus Atlanta
This is Peyton Manning's year. You can't just cut arguably the best QB ever and think that he's not gonna come out with something to prove. Especially since the Colts won 11 games without him this year. Yep, old Peyton has taken a back seat to Andrew Luck, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and even little brother Eli and that can't sit well with him. Atlanta is solid but unspectacular. The Broncos are just as unspectacular but a little more solid. This is why the stars are aligned for Manning. Peyton and the Broncos lost to Atlanta earlier this year when he threw 4 1st half interceptions. He will redeem himself and it just feels right that Peyton wins more than 1 Super Bowl
Broncos 26 - Falcons 20

you want spreads you got 'em
Packers- 8 over Minnesota
Washington +3 over Seattle
Baltimore - 6.5 over the Colts
Bengals +4.5 over Houston