Bill Williamson

Before reading this stab at the NFL playoffs, please don’t remember that preseason pick of San Francisco to go to the Super Bowl.

Please.

Anyway, here we go again.

WILD CARD ROUNDS

AFC
No. 3 San Diego 27, No. 6 Tennessee 13: This may be the least interesting game of the weekend unless, of course, Norv Turner gets in the way of his team as he did early in the season.

However, the Chargers have been smoking hot for the past three months and they should continue their streak against an overmatched team. The Titans are well coached but they have talent issues and the Chargers’ defense should hold Vince Young in check in his playoff debut.

No. 5 Jacksonville 20, No. 4 Pittsburgh 17: This game could be a beauty, especially if there is bad weather. And the Jaguars are hoping for poor weather. That’s right, the team from Florida is hoping its nasty. Just a couple of weeks ago, the Jaguars smacked around Pittsburgh in poor weather at Heinz Field. The Jaguars are a better, stronger more physical team. It will be a fight, but the better team should win.

NFC
No. 3 Seattle 24, No. 6 Washington 20: The Redskins are the playoff darlings and they are hot. In the aftermath of the murder of Sean Taylor, the team’s best player, the Redskins have been a team on a mission. But their incredible run could end. It won’t be easy for Seattle, but when it's all said and done the Seahawks are the better team and they play well at home. The Redskins have a lot in their favor but their season likely ends.

No. 5 New York Giants 24, No. 4 Tampa Bay 16: This just has the feel of an upset. The Giants are a quality team and showed it by taking New England to the limit. Yes, Eli Manning is up and down, but he can handle Tampa Bay, which has not looked like a playoff team in recent weeks. The Giants are the better team and they will win this game.

DIVISIONAL ROUNDS

AFC

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No. 1 New England 27, No. 5 Jacksonville 13: The Jaguars come into this game white hot. It won’t matter. They will be stifled by the magicians of Massachusetts. The Jaguars are physical enough to stay with the Patriots for a while but the Patriots will rely on their quick-striking ways to pull away in the second half against a good team that's just not good enough.

No. 2 Indianapolis 34, No. 3 San Diego 31: This game will be a lot of fun and could go either way. San Diego has won in the RCA Dome before and won’t be freaked out by the proposition. But the Colts are better and more reliable than the Chargers. There will be some points scored but the Colts will make the right moves late in the game to set up the AFC championship game we all want to see.

NFC
No. 1 Dallas 34, No. 5 New York Giants 21: This game could be tricky for Dallas, which is banged up and has not been a great team in December. Both teams know each other well and there will be no secrets. Dallas won both contests between the teams this season, once by 10 and the other by 11. In the end, Eli Manning will make mistakes and the Cowboys will sweep the season series.

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No. 2 Green Bay, 31, No. 3 Seattle 23: Mike Holmgren has gone back to Green Bay for the playoffs in the past and he didn’t win then, either. The Packers will be primed for this game. Watch for Brett Favre to play a spirited game and the Packers will control this contest.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

AFC
No. 1 New England, 27, No. 2 Indianapolis 24: The Colts controlled the previous matchup between these two teams in November and are no longer afraid of the Patriots. But this is the 2007 Patriots. They win. It may be close but Tom Brady has proven that he will make the play when needed and it will happen again. But it will be a thriller.

NFC
No. 2 Green Bay, 31, No. 2. Dallas 30: Capping a great championship Sunday, this game could be one for the ages again. But we think Favre is finally going to solve his Dallas bugaboo in the grandest way. The Cowboys have shown some flaws recently and the Packers will power their way to the Super Bowl, setting up Brett Favre against the 18—0 Patriots. That’s must-see stuff.

SUPER BOWL

New England 42, Green Bay 24: There will be great hype for this matchup, but the Patriots will not be denied. They will have their best postseason performance in the Super Bowl to become the greatest team of all time. The Packers have allowed more than 30 points twice this season but will allow the most points all season to the Patriots.

Favre will be overshadowed as the Patriots cap the season in a celebration of their special accomplishment.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 4 games STEELERS 23, RAVENS 20, OT: Baltimore loses first game of season REDSKINS 26, COWBOYS 24: Dallas can't contain Portis in 1st loss BEARS 24, EAGLES 20: Goal-line stand boosts Chicago JETS 56, CARDINALS 35: Favre throws career-high 6 TDs BUCS 30, PACKERS 21: Ryan's 3 FGs lift Tampa CHARGERS 28, RAIDERS 18: San Diego tops rival 10th straight time BILLS 31, RAMS 14: Buffalo 4-0 for first time since 1992 CHIEFS 33, BRONCOS 19: Johnson rushes for 198 yards for K.C. BROWNS 20, BENGALS 12: Anderson throws TD TITANS 30, VIKINGS 17: Tennessee 4-0 for first time ever PANTHERS 24, FALCONS 9: Smith honors Lucas after TD JAGUARS 30, TEXANS 27, OT: Scobey kicks game winner SAINTS 31, 49ERS 17: McAlister scores first TD of year