2nd round NFL playoff picks

Here's a look at the second round NFL games this weekend:

Saints at 49ers, 2:30 p.m. MT, FOX: I really want to pick the 49ers, especially at home, but my head says the Saints will win this game because of their incredible offense. San Francisco's defense is really strong and it will need to play well in order to keep the Niners in the game. Alex Smith and the offense will have to make sure they get touchdowns and not field goals in the red zone. I think the Saints win in a close one, 27-21.

Broncos at Patriots, 6 p.m. MT, CBS: I don't think the Broncos have any shot in this game. The Patriots are just too good and too seasoned. Even if the game was in Denver, the Broncos would be a long shot, but with the game in New England, there's is just no way I see an upset happening (as much as I would like to). Patriots win big, 38-14.

Texans at Ravens, 11 a.m. MT Sunday, CBS: The Texans will be lucky to get more than 10 points in this game, with a third or fourth string quarterback going against a notoriously stingy Baltimore defense. The Ravens will feed off the home crowd and win this one handily, 24-3.

Giants at Packers, 2:30 p.m. MT Sunday, FOX: The Giants have been playing well the last few weeks and gave the Packers a run for their money in the regular season in the Meadowlands. I think they will make this game closer than a lot of people are expecting. However, the Packers are going to be tough to beat at home and have a great quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. I'll take Green Bay, 35-28.

Packers top Steelers in Super Bowl XLV

The Packers beat the Steelers in the Super Bowl, 31-25. The Packers jumped out to a 21-3 lead in the first half and the Steelers just weren’t able to come all the way back. The Steelers had two interceptions (one for a touchdown) and a fumble while I don’t think the Packers had any turnovers. Everyone seemed to be cheering for the Packers, it’s too bad the Steelers couldn’t pull it out. It was just too big of a hole, plus the turnovers just made it too much to ask for, but the Steelers sure got pretty close. They had the ball at the end, but couldn’t get much going and turned it over on downs. I don’t hate the Packers, so I guess it’s alright that they won. From the Steelers perspective, it's just tough to win big games when you lose the turnover battle.

Aaron Rodgers was solid for the Packers and really didn't make any big mistakes at all. In fact, his numbers could have been better if not for a number of dropped passes. Ben Roethlisberger really came on in the second half and through some great passes, especially the final TD pass which was absolutely perfect. I really liked the two-point conversion play which was an option to Antwaan Randle El, I thought that was an absolutely perfect play call. The Steelers looked confused and disorganized on their last possession, however, and definitely could have managed the clock and the play calling better. In the end, the Packers were more mistake free and definitely earned the title of Super Bowl Champions.

Super Bowl XLV about to get under way

The Super Bowl kicks off in about a half an hour on FOX between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers. I'll be rooting for the Steelers as they are my second-favorite team (behind the Eagles) and I was sort of raised that way by my dad. They are both good teams, but I'm going to go with the Steelers based on a solid, blue-collar defense and the knack Ben Roethlisberger seems to have for coming up with clutch, big plays. I'll be tweeting during the game and will be back on here afterward for recap and analysis.

At least I got one NFL pick right this weekend

Well at least I was able to pick one of the four NFL playoff games this weekend accurately. Thanks to the Ravens knocking off the Chiefs 30-7, I wasn't completely shut out with my picks. This weekend just gives further proof that the NFL is a balanced league and that anything can happen on a given weekend. The Seahawks had a losing record during the regular season but won against the reigning champion Saints. The Jets topped the Colts and the Packers beat my Eagles in close contests.

I thought the Eagles probably should have won the game today and it's just an empty feeling as a fan to go out in the first round of the playoffs. The Packers won the game 21-16, but David Akers of the Eagles missed two field goals that changed the entire complexion of the game. Akers has been great for the Eagles over the years but he cost the team today. I thought the Eagles were still going to take the lead and win when they got the ball back in the closing minutes. I especially thought this after Michael Vick found Desean Jackson for a big gain to move into Packers territory with under one minute to go. However, Vick was picked off in the end zone and the game was over. Vick played pretty well and at least he was trying to make something happen without much time on the clock, so that's one you almost have to live with although as a fan it would have been nice to have a few more cracks at it.

I'll have some picks before the second round games next weekend -- for what they're worth. Looks like my Super Bowl pick of the Patriots vs. the Eagles won't happen, but I'll be back for more before next weekend.

Michael Vick and the Eagles

First, if you haven't done so yet, check out my post about the Utah basketball team just a little ways down on the main page here. I put a lot of thought into it.

The Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) lost to the Minnesota Vikings (6-9) last night 24-14 in Philadelphia in the first Tuesday NFL game since 1946. The game was postponed from Sunday night due to inclement weather in the Philadelphia area and concerns over fan safety. Michael Vick played okay, but he may have been a little gimpy after taking a hit on the Eagles' first play from scrimmage. It was too bad because now the Eagles are out of the running for a first round bye, but still have the NFC East wrapped up as well as the 3-seed in the NFC Playoffs.

The Eagles look like they will play the Packers (9-6) or the Giants (9-6) at home in the first round depending on this weekend's results. The Eagles didn't look too sharp, but games like that happen and I'm not too worried about it. On the positive side, Philadelphia can rest its starters in this Sunday's home game against the Cowboys (5-10) as nothing they do will effect their playoff positioning.

In related news, Tucker Carlson said on Fox News Channel that Michael Vick "should have been executed" for his role in dog fighting that led to him serving a jail sentence. Carlson isn't happy that President Barack Obama has told Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie that he is happy that though he doesn't condone Vick's past actions, he is happy that Vick has gotten a second chance and doing well with it. I agree with the President, not Carlson. Vick did do some terrible things, but he paid his debt to society and I feel served an appropriate amount of time. As long as he doesn't do anything like that again, he has the right to get on with his life. Carlson's comments are just way out of line as his suggested punishment goes way beyond what the crime was. I'm happy that Vick is doing well and not just because he is helping out my team. People have a right to a second chance after they have paid their debt to society and Vick has certainly done that.