Free NFL Playoff Picks – Week 1

The playoff season enters the fray, and I pick my winners for everyone to see… Enjoy the best football of the season!

Saturday’s Games…

Washington Redskins @ Seattle Seahawks (-3):
(Line: Thursday, 1:00am EST: 5Dimes)

I can’t say enough about the Redskins’ push to the playoffs. They had to beat some good teams that had a lot on the line, and all the while they just pushed through injuries and problems to find a way to succeed. Now they get to fly all the way across the country to play one of the best home-teams in the entire league. I know from personal experience that no stadium is louder than Seattle’s 12th man, and the weather isn’t always festive either. Do the Redskins have a chance? You bet. They are playing a Seattle team that was up and down all year, and they have gallons of old momentum rallying along side them. However, I just don’t think the Redskins will pull the upset here. Many people forget that this is one of Seattle’s most talented teams. They pass the ball a ton, and do so very accurately and efficiently. Also, their defense is what really impresses me. With Patrick Kearney and Julian Peterson bringing pressure, Washington’s beat up offensive line will have to pull magic tricks to give Todd Collins enough time. This game will be close, but I’m taking the Hawks to win by 7-10 points in Seattle.

Jacksonville Jaguars (Even) @ Pittsburgh Steelers:
(Line: Thursday, 1:00am EST: Belmont)

Last time the Steelers stumbled into the playoffs they pulled of upset after upset to bring home a set of championship rings – not this time, no way. The Jaguars are the better team in this match-up, which can be realized by their pick em status for Saturday’s game in Pittsburgh. The Jaguars are playing as well as anyone in the league right now, and the last team I would want to be is the Steelers minus Willie Parker. I know the Steelers have the home court advantage here, but how much is that really going to help? The Jaguars can smother the run, and pound the ball down your throat all game long – plus, they just don’t make mistakes. You’d think that David Garrard is due, but that thinking just hasn’t panned out quite yet. The Steelers had a solid year, but fell off at the end, so much so that they couldn’t find a way to skip the Jaguars in Round 1. I like the Jaguars to win by 7-14 points in this one.

Sunday’s Games…

New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5):
(Line: Thursday, 1:00am EST: Belmont)

At least the Bucs will be rested. This game will put to test my belief that resting players is the wrong decision more often than not. But maybe this team needed rest. They play physical football on both sides of the ball, relying on good feet and precise schemes, intelligence and experience to get them in the right place at the right time. Tampa doesn’t allow easy scores, and with that, they might be a very tough match-up for the Giants. New York doesn’t excel at putting together long drawn out drives, and that is because Eli Manning doesn’t have the accuracy required for such a style. Not only that, but New York played the game of their lives last week, they’re bound to play like donkeys this time around. I haven’t liked the Giants all year, and I think they are the worst playoff team there is. We’ll see how I look after Sunday.

Tennessee Titans (+10) @ San Diego Chargers:
(Line: Thursday, 1:00am EST: 5Dimes)

I think this game will turn one way or another depending on one thing, and no, I’m not talking about Vince Young’s health. I’m more concerned about Albert Haynesworth’s hamstring. If Al can play a majority of the snaps at his healthy run-stuffing level, the Titans have a chance to force more than a couple Charger mistakes in the passing game. If Al doesn’t play, or is limited because of his legs, San Diego might just run roughshod on Tennessee’s defenders. From the looks of Al last week, I’m guessing that he plays this Sunday, and the Titans go back to their covering ways of yester-year. I also think that Vince Young will play – he’s gotten this team this far, they need to trust in him. Using a tough defense and a heavy dosage of run plays, I like the Titan’s chances to finish within 10 of the Chargers in San Diego.

Leave a Reply