The Cream of the Crop: Home teams to roll this weekend
Don't expect another bad performance against the Chargers from Peyton Manning Sunday.
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flickr.com/bradjward
Don't expect another bad performance against the Chargers from Peyton Manning Sunday.
published: January 11 2008 05:15 PM updated:: January 11 2008 07:51 PM

They tout this weekend as the best weekend of NFL action all year.

The numbers say otherwise.

Teams that have a bye in the opening round of the playoffs have owned their opponents in the playoffs' second weekend, winning 75 percent of the time.

Average margin of victory in those games? Almost two touchdowns.

Considering those numbers, it is most likely just one team out of the Seahawks, Jaguars, Chargers and Giants will be able to pull the upset this weekend.

I could see any of those teams winning this weekend. I don't consider it likely, though, and I'm not picking any of them to win.

Here's why.

Seahawks at Packers: Saturday, 4:30 EST on FOX

I think this will be the best game of the weekend, and if I was going to pick an upset it would be here.

These are two very evenly matched teams, but I like Green Bay just a little more.

Green Bay running back Ryan Grant finished the season as hot as any runner outside San Diego and wideout Greg Jennings has proven to be a big play waiting to happen every week.

I don't like Seattle's running game very much, and even though receivers Deion Branch and D.J. Hackett will probably play, they're still banged up.

That could make it hard for the Seahawks to get much going against a stout Packer defense.

The winner of this game wins next week to get to the Super Bowl.

Packers 23 Seahawks 17

Jaguars at Patriots: Saturday, 8:00 EST on CBS

I want to pick the Jags.

I know they can win this game.

I just can't talk myself into doing it.

Look for Brady to start slow because of the Jags' pressure up front, and even throw a pick to Jacksonville's ball-hawking safety Reggie Nelson, one of my favorite players in years.

This game will be close late because the Jags can run the ball and have a solid defense, but in order to win David Garrard is going to have to make some big time plays in the fourth quarter.

In New England, with very little experience and sub-par receivers, I don't think he can.

A Moss touchdown catch clinches it late.

Patriots 24 Jags 14

Chargers at Colts: Sunday, 1:00 EST on CBS

This will be the biggest blowout of the weekend.

I know the Chargers beat the Colts in the regular season, but let's take a look at everything that happened in that one.

Peyton Manning threw a career-high six interceptions. No way that happens again.

Adam Vinatieri missed two field goals, including a potential game-winning chip shot. No way that happens again.

That game was in San Diego. This one is in Indy.

In that game Marvin Harrison didn't play because of injury. In this one Antonio Gates might not play because of injury.

And if you need more convincing....Norv Turner and Philip Rivers on the road in the playoffs.

That itself has blowout written all over it.

Colts 38 Chargers 17

Giants at Cowboys: Sunday, 4:30 EST on FOX

First let me say this.

What man wouldn't spend an off weekend in Cabo with Jessica Simpson?

Tony Romo gets a pat on the back from me.

This pick has more to do with not liking the Giants than liking the Cowboys.

I think Dallas is just a little bit better in every phase of the game, but especially on defense.

I'm expecting a big day from Romo against a Giants pass defense that leaves a lot to be desired.

Look for Eli to play a great game, but do himself in with a couple of poor decisions.

Cowboys 35 Giants 24

Editor: Clayton Culp
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