NFC Playoffs- Eagles@Cowboys- Saturday

Eagles- The Eagles started out the season at a mediocre 5-4 after two straight losses to the Cowboys and then the Chargers, but as the Eagles always seem to do toward the end of the season, they got hot when it mattered. They went on a 6 game winning streak and looked to be cruising when they headed into Dallas to play their last regular season game of the season. Going into that game, they had already clinched a playoff spot, but if they beat the Cowboys they would've been the two seed and clinched a first round bye, but if they loss they would the the final seed in the NFC. They went in to Dallas and laid an egg, losing 24-0 and getting absolutely dominated by the Cowboys. The Eagles have the tools though to be an explosive offense, and a good enough defense to hold a good offensive team down such as the Cowboys.

Cowboys- The Cowboys had two big monkeys on their backs going into this season. They first needed to get over their December struggles, and secondly they needed to win a playoff game, having not won a playoff game since 1996. The Boys lost the first two games of December and everybody was talking about a winless December again and coach Wade Phillips was being rumored to be fired. The Cowboys turned the corner the next week when they went into New Orleans and beat the then unbeaten Saints 24-17. After that game they didnt give up a single point in the final two games of the season. The Cowboys are among the hottest teams in the league going into the playoffs, and are as much as 5 point favorites. Can the Cowboys get the biggest monkey off their backs and get their first win in 13 years.

Prediction- The Eagles runningback Brian Westbrook is the key in my mind. He has missed games due to a concussion this season, but seems to be getting healthier and healthier. I expect a different game this week from last week. These two teams are actually pretty evenly matched despite the Cowboys sweeping the season series. But that is the exact reason why I am picking the Eagles in this one. It is too hard to beat a team three times in the same season, especially in football. I dont think the Cowboys can get off the snide in the playoffs quite yet, I'll take the City of Brotherly Love's team, 26-23.

AFC Playoffs- Jets@Bengals- Saturday

Jets- The first order of business for the playoffs is for the New York Jets to put Jim Caldwell on their Christmas card list. Jim Caldwell, the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, decided to rest Peyton Manning and some other starters early in the third quarter when the Colts lead 15-10. The Jets took full advantage and came back to win the game 29-15, and when the Jets beat the resting Bengals the next week they clinched a playoff spot. If Caldwell keeps his starters in the game in week 16 then the Jets are likely sitting on the couch watching the playoffs on TV. The Jets have a solid defense, in fact they are ranked number one in the nation, but can the score enough points to stay in the game and win it late? Thomas Jones is one of the most under rated running backs in the league, and always seems to have solid games on the ground. Problem is that everybody talks about quarterbacks when it comes to the playoffs, and the Jets have a quarterback in Mark Sanchez that is tied with me in playoff wins, zero. If the Jets can keep the ball on the ground to control the clock, and play solid defense, then they have a great chance to win this game.

Bengals- The Cincinnati Bengals were a great story at the beginning of the year, and still are I guess because nobody expected them to be in the playoffs this year, and with the teams in their division, including the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers, they were certainly not expected to win their division. But they did, going 6-0 against their own division, the AFC North. The Bengals all year long have had a pretty solid defense, and have had a revitalized offense. Cedric Benson, who was thought to be done a couple years ago has really turned his career around in Cincinnati to become one of the premiere backs in the league this year. The Bengals had a great start to the year but have kind of stumbled and limped down the stretch with bad losses to teams like the Raiders and a whooping by the Vikings. The Bengals will have a rowdy home crowd though, and if they can use them to their advantage they have a good chance to win.

Prediction- Its going to be cold in Cincinnati this Saturday, and the team with a better running game and defense should win this ball game. The Jets beat up on the Bengals last week to clinch a playoff spot 37-0. The Bengals were not motivated in that game because they have nothing to play for, and they also rested their guys in the second half. Dont be deceived though with last weeks game, yes the Bengals were unmotivated and rested their players, but even when Carson Palmer played the whole first half, he recorded a grand total of 0 yards passing. The Jets dominated that game even when the Bengals had all their top guys in the game. Ill take the 2.5 point underdog Jets in this one, they have the leagues top rated defense, and a very consistent running back to pound the Bengals all day in the cold weather playoff game. Although I dont expect this game to be anything like last weeks game, I do expect the Jets to be able to win in a low scoring, defensive style game. I'll take the Jets 20-14.