Only fools predict games. You're looking at one.

Now, don’t get too used to this, but I am going to get off the soapbox and actually talk some sports. It’s a very strange club, these NFL playoffs. Out are the NY football Giants, 10-6 and a recent Super Bowl champion. In are the woeful Seattle Seahawks, 7-9 and a division champion.

Should Seattle be in the playoffs? Yes, they did win the division and it’s too reactionary to think teams winning divisions with losing records will become a trend. Should they host a playoff game? That’s where I think there can be some discussion. I would have no problem with determining the 12 playoff teams as they do now, but then re-seeding, making Seattle the six seed instead of the four.

Matchups: Let’s go through by conference.  Don’t expect in depth x;s and o’s analysis, not my thing. But here are my thoughts. The first round in the AFC sees Indianapolis hosting the Jets and Kansas City hosting Baltimore. While the Colts have tied the NFL record with their 9^th consecutive playoff appearance, these are not your older brother’s Colts. (Let’s face it, can’t go with your father, we’re all old). They did win their last four to make the playoffs, but are limping in this year. Injuries have hit them hard and Peyton is showing signs that he may actually be human. That said, the Jets will be on the other side of the ball. Bravado aside, I don’t have a lot of faith in them. They have walked a tight rope all season.  But they make it to the other side one more time.

What a story the Chiefs have been. Tremendous credit to both GM Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley.  Matt Cassel is jus an amazing story. Stuck backing up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC, he didn’t really play. And now look at him. In come the Ravens. The Chiefs have been winning with running and defense and those are more consistent than Ravens’ QB Joe Flacco. He has decent weapons but I’m just not sure if good or bad Joe will show up. Betting on good. Ravens move on.

That sends the Jets to New England and the Ravens to Pittsburgh. I’ll make this short and sweet. The home teams are just too good here. What an AFC championship game this will be. While the Patriots have been amazing this year and I think the world of Brady, I don’t think they have the weapons to outscore the Steelers. (Huge disclaimer: my beautiful girlfriend Tina is a  diehard Steeler fan. But trust me, if she knew I just picked them she would be livid that I jinxed them. Don’t tell her).

The first round in the NFC sees Seattle hosting New Orleans and Philadelphia hosting Green Bay. You’re right, there’s no need to even discuss the Seahawks and Saints. Packers and Eagles could be the game of the first round. The Packers are a bad matchup for the Eagles with their defensive speed and passing firepower. They beat the Eagles again.

That sends Green Bay to Atlanta and New Orleans to Chicago. The Packers lost by a field goal in Atlanta a few weeks ago. I can’t say enough about the Falcons. After winning the division Sunday, the players doused the owner with Gatorade. And Arthur Blank deserved it. Three years ago this franchise was dead as Michael Vick was in jail and Bobby Petrino coached a Monday night game and then yelled  “Go pig sooey” the very next day. He walked out on them with three games left to coach Arkansas, leaving notes in the players’ lockers. Blank hired Thomas Dmitroff as GM and unknown Mike Smith as head coach and what a turn around. I love Matt Ryan and Michael Turner. But something just tells me the Packers avenge their first home playoff loss back in 2003 to Vick and the Falcons.

On to Soldier Field. Julius Peppers has been a beast and Devin Hester is just ridiculous, but I can’t pick a team quarterbacked by Jay Cutler to win this game. Yes, I am saying that the wild cards will play for the NFC championship.

Like I said, no x’s and o’s. Here’s my analysis: I watched Drew Brees overcome horrible mistakes and will his team to a win the other night. I can’t get that out of my mind. The Packers will be in a Super Bowl soon, just not this year. Saints win the NFL for a second straight year.

Please, please for the love of god don’t tell Tina I said the Steelers will beat the Saints in the Super Bowl. Have a heart.