That’s right folks, the previews are over and the games are ready to go. With the Steelers hosting the Titans tonight, the NFL will be back in full swing and ready to knock your lights out like, allegedly, Shawne Merriman vs. Tila Tequilla.
To recap my division previews, here are my division winners picks and the wild card teams, which were pretty painful to figure out with the tiebreaker system.
AFC
East: New England Patriots (12-4)
South: Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
North: Pittsburgh Steelers (14-2)
West: San Diego Chargers (11-5)
Wildcard: Baltimore Ravens (13-3)
Wildcard: Houston Texans (9-7)
NFC
East: New York Giants (9-7)
South: New Orleans Saints (10-6)
North: Green Bay Packers (10-6)
West: Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
Wildcard: Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
Wildcard: Minnesota Vikings (9-7)
As for the playoffs, I’ll take the Colts over Texans, Chargers over Ravens, Cowboys over Seahawks and Giants over Vikings.
Then, Patriots over Colts, Steelers over Ravens, Packers over Cowboys and Saints over Giants.
AFC Championship: New England Patriots over Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers over New Orleans Saints.
And finally, Green Bay Packers over New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
As for tonight’s game, here’s what I’d lay my money on.
STEELERS -5 over Titans
The Champions always come out strong on the opening Thursday night game. Look at the Giants last year and the Colts the season before. There’s no way they got down at home and there’s certainly no way they’ve forgotten the Terrible Towel stomping of last season. And do you believe Kerry Collins will be that competent again?
Last season: 126-101-8
Last playoffs: 5-5