Weekend Playoff picks courtesy of Team Sporting Muse.


                AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

WILL WEISS - Steelers 17, Ravens 13. The Ravens are still seething over the TD call on Dec. 14. But the Steelers' defense will tee off on Joe Flacco and make his life a living hell on Sunday.

CHRISTINE WHITE Steelers 16, Ravens 13. I’m looking forward to this one more than the NFC game and I think it will be another great game to watch because there is such an intense dislike here.  I think it will be hard hitting and close but the Steel Curtain will prevail

SCOTT COOLEY - Ravens. Can I call this a team of destiny? The Ravens have emerged from a disgusting 3-13 record a year ago and secured a date in the AFC Championship game with Pittsburgh. Defense wins championships and Baltimore has one of the best. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu isn’t completely healthy and history tells us it is hard to beat the same team three times in one season.

MICHAEL PUESCHEL – Steelers.  D and good QB play. I can't pick the Ravens... despite the fact that Ray Lewis scares the bee-jesus out of me. Plus as a Bears fan I know plenty about erratic quarterback play (see: Rex Grossman, Cade McNoun) so I can't pick a team with a rookie QB to go the Super Bowl.

NICOEL PAWLAK – Steelers. While Baltimore can rush the ball, their Defense has been inconsistent. Steelers have a great passing game when Big Ben is on and a tough hard nose D. The question of the day is can they make it three in a row? The more you play a team the harder it is to win.  The edge is home field advantage – taking the Steelers. Big Ben, don’t make me look bad!

RICHARD GOODIS – Steelers 17, Ravens 10. Give me the Steelers D and a healthy Willie Parker at home. I think Big Ben takes care of the ball and Flacco get flustered for the first time. I think the Steelers force him to make a few bad decisions and a couple of turnovers.

                NFC CHAMPIONSHIP



WILL WEISS - Cardinals 27, Eagles 21. I'm picking the upset here. I'm not convinced the Eagles' offense is fully together; without the play of their defense last week, the Giants would have run all over them. Kurt Warner has more offensive weapons than Donovan McNabb, and being a former Rams fan, I can't root against him.

CHRISTINE WHITE – Eagles 31, Cardinals 21. I think AZ will play a good game at home. But The Eagles D should play very well and if NcNabb can hit his receivers, Philly will win.

SCOTT COOLEY – Cardinals. The Cardinals return home to the friendly confines of University of Phoenix Stadium where they were close to unbeatable all season. Jim Johnson will send his blitzkrieg of Eagles on defense which will play right into Warner’s short and fast passing game ideally (skills he picked up in the Arena Football League).

MICHAEL  PUESCHEL – Eagles.  D and good QB play and I don't think I need to explain not picking the Cardinals (it's the Arizona Cardinals!!!!!)

NICOLE PAWLAK - Eagles. It’s a good offense vs. a good defense – both teams have nothing to lose. Philly is coming off a great upset win in the Meadowlands and their defense is Red Zone HOT, but without the screaming Eagle fan club I don’t know if they can pull off a win in the Arizona desert. Arizona has had nice offense but lacks on defense.  Even with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie,I think the Cards come up short, 12th man or not. PS – McNabb no TIE!

RICHARD GOODIS – Eagles 24, Cardinals 17. Yes AZ plays better at home and yes they look like a new team. But the Jim Johnson D will pressure Warner and force him into turnovers. I also think the Philly secondary will not let Larry Fitzgerald run free; they contain him for the most part.