Love these first four NFL playoff games. Not as a prognosticator because I don't believe there is a guaranteed lock among them. But that's why they should make for a delicious weekend.

 

But, first, old business:

 

Last Week & Last Season: Decent but not great finish straight up at 11-5. That gave me a seasonal total of 164-92, which about 40 of you beat -- including the cursed Marc Daniels. That's a winning percentage of 64 percent, which is mediocre at best. Sigh. Also 7-8-1 against the spread for a heartbreaking finish of 123-124-9, one game under .500. (Cue the Tim Tebow speech here about how hard I'll try next year, blah blah blah.)

 

 

Cincinnati (9-7) at Houston (10-6) -- Saturday 4:30 -- Texans favored by 3.5 -- If the Texans were not using their original third-string QB in rookie T.J. Yates, nobody would consider this one to be close. But the Texans have lost their last 3 with Yates posting NO TD passes and 2 picks. He also has a bum shoulder, making you wonder if Texans might go to Jake (The-World's-Oldest-QB) Delhomme instead. But either way, I like the Texan running game and short-pass game plus I really like their defense in front of a rabid crowd experiencing their first playoff game. Oh, and WR Andre Johnson is back if anybody can get the ball to him. (Note: Our Jay Gruden is Bengal OC and apparently a candidate for the Jags' head coaching position, so I want his offense to do well. But I don't think they will win, which might help him by making him available immediately.)

    Jerry says: Texans by 10.

 

Detroit (10-6) at New Orleans (13-3) -- Saturday 8 -- Saints favored by 10.5 -- That point spread indicates a romp but it ain't necessarily so. Over his past 8 games, Lions QB Matt Stafford has averaged 357 passing yards, while WR Calvin Johnson, in his last 3 outings, has 24 catches for 560 yards and 4 TDs. (He was probably the Fantasy Football Playoff Player of the Year.) -- OK, Lion Breath, that's the good news. The bad news is that a backup QB just threw for 480 yards and 6 TDs against you -- and now you get Drew Brees in his home dome. That's not good. Oh, and he has a running game while you don't. And his coach is a lot smarter than your coach. Is that enough?

    Jerry says: Saints but just by 7.

 

Atlanta (10-6) at East Rutherford Giants (9-7) -- Sunday 1 -- Giants favored by 3 -- You noticed that Falcons have better record, right? I'm just checking 'cause of all this Giant Luv I'm hearing. Anybody know what happened to Brandon Jacobs? Just askin'. Anybody noticed Falcon WR Roddy White has awakened and has 25 catches for 331 yards and 2 TDs in last 3? I'm just sayin'.

    Jerry says: In a This-Year's-Feared-Wild-Card Upset Special, Falcons by 5.

 

Pittsburgh (12-4) at Denver (8-8) -- Sunday 4:30 -- Steelers favored by 8.5 -- If you listened to Friday's show, you know I was close to picking the Broncos -- not because of Tim Tebow but because of limping Ben Roethlisberger. Fortunately friends performed an intervention and ended my hallucinations. As for Tebow, he is 30-of-73 with 1 TD and 4 picks in last 3, all losses. He was also sacked 10 times in those losses. He's also fumbled in 6 consecutive games. Do not be shocked if we see some Brady Quinn at QB for Denver. And that won't be a good sign for Tim for this game or next season.

    Jerry says: Steelers by 10.

 

Remember, there's still games to be picked, plus prizes and glory to be won.