NFL Picks: Conference Championships

#2 Patriots @ #1 Broncos 2:05 PM CT CBS
It's the Brady-Manning Bowl for the 17th and likely final time, with the AFC Championship in Denver. Except this time, it's Denver's #1 outstanding defense trying to slowdown a Patriot attack which overmatched the Chiefs last weekend. I think Gronk is an ex-factor and New England's underrated defense shuts down the Broncos' running game, forcing Manning to try to beat them. I don't think that will happen, as Peyton rides off into the sunset two wins shy of a second ring.

#2 Cardinals @ #1 Panthers 5:40 PM CT FOX
In the NFC Championship, two great defenses clash with Arizona and Carolina. In the end, I think it comes down to QB play. Carson Palmer looked like a mess last weekend, while Cam Newton is still playing on an MVP-level. Give me the Panthers in a nailbiter.

Last week: 3-1
Playoffs record: 7-1

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NFL Picks: Divisional Playoffs

#5 Chiefs @ #2 Patriots 3:30 PM CT CBS
KC took out my Texans easily last week and continue to be the hottest team in the NFL, riding a stifling defense. They'll have their hands full with a rested Tom Brady, who will also get his top wide receiver back in Julian Edelman. I expect a low scoring game (as New England's defense will shut down the banged up Chiefs' offense), with the Pats advancing to another AFC Championship.

#5 Packers @ #2 Cardinals 7 PM CT NBC
Green Bay's offense returned from its long slumber in throttling the Redskins last weekend to set up this rematch of a Week 16 encounter, which Arizona won 38-8. The Cardinals' D dominated the Green Bay offense that day by forcing turnovers, stifling the running game, and harassing Aaron Rodgers in the pocket all game long. I think this game is a lot closer, but Arizona uses the same formula for success as last time to get the W.

#6 Seahawks @ #1 Panthers 12 PM FOX
The Super Bowl champs survived the bittercold of Minneapolis thanks to the Blair Walsh choke, to set up this awesome matchup with the 15-1 Panthers. Both teams have great defenses, which should limit the running games. So it'll come down to Cam Newton vs. Russell Wilson, two dual threat quarterbacks who are the faces of their teams. Although Greg Olsen may exploit holes in the Seattle secondary, give me the playoff pedigree of the Seahawks in a nail-biter.

#6 Steelers @ #2 Broncos 3:30 PM CBS
Pittsburgh survived the backyard brawl with Cincy last week, but paid the price it lost star WR Antonio Brown to a concussion, as well as banging up QB Ben Roethlisberger. That, coupled with RB DeAngelo Williams still being out does not project well against the NFL's top defense in Denver. I think the Broncos' defense stifles the Steelers, allowing Peyton Manning to knock the rust off and get into another AFC title game.

Last week: 4-0

NFL Picks: Wildcard Weekend

Saturday, January 9 Chiefs 3:35 PM Texans ESPN/ABC

My hometown Texans won an especially lousy AFC South this year to sneak into the playoffs, despite starting 2-5 and losing starting running back Arian Foster early on, behind smashmouth defense led by likely defensive POY JJ Watt. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, who also started out horribly at 1-5, are the hottest team in the NFL with 10 straight wins, behind a dominant defense and mistake-free football from QB Alex Smith. I expect a low-scoring, grind-it-out game, with KC prevailing. I think the Texans missing LT Duane Brown on the offensive line will be their undoing, as they won't be able to protect QB Brian Hoyer.

Steelers 7:15 PM Bengals

CBS

An AFC North showdown between these two rivals, who split the season series and have had some feisty encounters over the last couple of years. Pittsburgh's offense is scary good, even though they lost RB DeAngelo Williams last week, and the Cincy D will have its hands full trying to cover Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, and co. Meanwhile, the Bengals will try to snap their long playoff win drought without starting QB Andy Dalton, who is still out with the broken thumb. Sorry, Cincy, just don't see AJ McCarron ending the streak for y'all.

Sunday, January 10

Seahawks 12:05 PM Vikings NBC This game is a rematch of an earlier season encounter between the two teams, in which the Seahawks won big. Although the gametime temperature will be about 3 degrees, I like the same outcome, with the veteran Seahawks taking out the upstart Vikings. I just don't see Teddy Bridgewater making enough plays against Seattle's secondary to pull off the upset. Packers 3:40 PM on FOX Redskins Green Bay limped down the stretch, as their offense has squidded to an awful end of the season. It starts up front as the Pack have no running game and have had trouble protecting Aaron Rodgers. Redskins won a weak NFC East and probably have more momentum going into this game, but I'll go with Rodgers over Kirk Cousins in a squeaker.

NFL Picks: Week 17

Sunday, January 3
NY Jets at Buffalo – 1:00pm ET, CBS
New England at Miami – 1:00pm ET, CBS
New Orleans at Atlanta – 1:00pm ET, FOX
Baltimore at Cincinnati – 1:00pm ET, FOX
Pittsburgh at Cleveland – 1:00pm ET, CBS
Jacksonville at Houston – 1:00pm ET, CBS
Tennessee at Indianapolis – 1:00pm ET, CBS
Washington at Dallas – 1:00pm ET, FOX
Philadelphia at NY Giants – 1:00pm ET, FOX
Detroit at Chicago – 1:00pm ET, FOX
Oakland at Kansas City – 4:25pm ET, FOX
San Diego at Denver – 4:25pm ET, CBS
Seattle at Arizona – 4:25pm ET, FOX
St. Louis at San Francisco – 4:25pm ET, CBS
Tampa Bay at Carolina – 4:25pm ET, FOX
Minnesota at Green Bay – 8:30pm ET, NBC