Pink's NFL Picks 1-11-08

Last week's record: 3-1

Pick of the Week: 1-0

I'll take a 3-1 mark to start the playoffs, especially when I hit my Pick of the Week. The truth of the matter is, I picked the Redskins even though I thought they were the most vulnerable. Seattle is a great home team and with their defense playing the way it did, there was just no way for the undermanned Redskin offense to make much happen.

The Giants played as expected, but I must admit I was a little concerned after the first scoring drive by the Bucs. My Steelers took a tough one on the chin, but they showed a lot of heart by coming back strong against the Jags. As for the Chargers, I wasn't overly impressed with their performance, but that was due in large part to the Coach Fisher factor that I mentioned. He certainly gets a lot out of his team.

Now it's on to the divisional round of the playoffs and all four home teams are big favorites. Is there a chance for an upset? It's always possible, but not necessarily probable. I have two teams that I think have a chance, so let's get on with it.Saturday, Jan. 12

Seattle at Green Bay — I wish I had the benefit of knowing what the weather is going to be like this Saturday in Green Bay because it certainly could impact the game. Don't ask me why, but I have not been able to fully get behind either of these teams all season long and that's why I think this game could produce an upset or at least a real close game. I'm not going with the upset because Seattle is not by any means a good road team, but Packers quarterback Brett Favre is very capable of having a bad outing. I do think this game will be closer than most think, but I'm going with the Packers by a score of 21-17.Jacksonville at New England — The recent fine play of the Jags has given this game some intrigue, but I, for one, don't see any real chance of an upset. The Jags defense wore down big time in the fourth quarter against the Steelers and if that happens against quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots, Jacksonville will get pounded out late.

In their defense, Jacksonville has plenty of punch in the running game and if they can control the line of scrimmage, they will definitely have a chance. I just don't see them containing the Brady Bunch for four quarters. In the end, look for the Patriots to wear the Jags defense down en route to a convincing 34-20 victory and a spot in the AFC championship game.Sunday, Dec. 13

San Diego at Indianapolis — The Chargers have finally won a playoff game and that is worth noting. Who they beat, in the form of the Titans, was a team lacking any real offensive big play personnel. That is not the case with the Colts. Add to that the fact that tight end Antonio Gates is questionable for the game and you can see why I'm making the Peyton Manning-led Colts my Pick of the Week.

Until someone dethrones them, the Colts are the NFL Champions and they are not about to give up the title easily. I look for the Colts to strike early and often enough to come away with a convincing 27-14 win and a date with the Patriots in the AFC championship game.New York Giants at Dallas — This is the other game where I think there is a real opportunity for an upset. Face it, the Giants aren't great, but they sure are good on the road and are getting good results from much-maligned quarterback Eli Manning. Granted, the Giants' defense will be facing a much more dangerous offense against the Cowboys, but that unit should be able to keep the game close enough to make it winnable.

The Cowboys are a clear-cut favorite and they should be. They can run and throw the ball equally well and the defense is better than average. So why am I picking the Giants to win this game 24-21? I just don't like the Cowboys or their owner, Jerry Jones.