Baltimore vs. New England –   Tom Brady is on a mission, the question is this:  can the Ravens defense slow him down enough to give their fledgling offense a chance.  My feeling is no.   Baltimore’s D is good enough to make this one respectable, but not good enough to win.   Patriots 31 – Baltimore 23

New York vs. San Francisco –  The NFC championship no one saw coming at the beginning, middle or really even end of the season.   These two teams are red hot and confident.   This has all the makings of an epic game.  I think it will be a close, back and forth and come down to the 4th quarter.  It’s hard to win on the road in the playoffs, but if anyone knows how, it is Tom Coughlin and the NY Giants.   Expecting a great game.  Giants 27 – 49′ers 26

Saints vs. 49′ers  -  This should be a great game.   The 49′ers could be the one team with a defense good enough to stop the high octane Saints offense.   They won’t stop them completely, and can their offense score enough to win?   My answer is no, but oh so close.  Saints are not as good on the road, but good enough Saturday.    Saints 24 – 49′ers 23

Broncos vs.  Patriots – this game will be hyped up!  Lot’s of media attention, and the focus of course will be on the QB’s – the rematch between Tebow and Brady.   This should be a great game that I think will be close all the way through.   The Pats defense is not good enough to slow a motivated Tebow.   On the other side of the coin, no defense is good enough to slow Brady and his stud tight-ends.   The Broncos have to play mistake free football to win this one.   If they do –  the sports media outlets will go crazy!   My heart is with the Broncos, I love the underdog, but my head is leaning towards the Pats.     New England  31 – Denver 27

Texans vs. Ravens –  This could be a very good game.  I wish Houston had Shaub  playing.  His experience against such a good D would be helpful.   Expect the run game to be in effect for both teams.   I think Baltimore playing at home with their defense will pull this one out.   Again my head and heart differ:   Baltimore 20 – Texans 16

NY Giants vs. Green Bay –  This game will bring back some memories from ’08 when the Giants stunned the Packers at home and knocked them out of the playoffs on their way to unseating New England’s bid for a perfect season.  Fresh on their minds will be the Packs narrow win over the Giants earlier in the year.  The Giants are a resilient team that is playing very well right now despite a mediocre season.  They have shown the ability to play on the road and well at Lambeau.   Should be a fantastic game.  Plenty of offense.   Earlier in the year no one thought GB could loose, now it would hardly be a shock for the Giants to win.  That being said, for this game my heart and head unite on the arm of Aaron Rogers:   Green Bay 30 – Giants 27

Bengals vs.  Texans –   Intriguing match, rookie QB’s.   Close game,  Arian Foster carries Texans in a squeaker:   Texans 20 – Bengals 17

Detroit vs. New Orleans –  Lions regret not beating Green Bay and getting the easier game in NY.   Offensive show is impressive on both sides.  Drew Brees is an unstoppable force at home.    Saints 42 – Lions 38

Atlanta vs Giants –  Another close game,  ”Matty Ice” comes through in the clutch by throwing a late TD pass to the ageless Tony Gonzales.   Falcons 27 – Giants 24

Pittsburgh vs. Denver –  For those who were appalled by the lack of defense a night earlier in New Orleans this game is for you.  Denver = no passing game, Pittsburgh = no running game.   Pittsburgh has the better D.   Big Ben tries to highjack  Tebow time and throws a 4th quarter TD pass to Mike Wallace to put the Steelers ahead 17-16…  but Tebow does just enough to set up a Matt Prater  from 54 yards.   Broncos 19 – Steelers 17

What do you think will happen?   Enjoy the games!