I'm far from happy with my .500 record in the playoffs this year. But I realized last week I can chalk that up to the Ravens and the Cardinals. In the Wild Card round, I undervalued both teams. In the Divisional playoffs, I overvalued both teams. Since they're both out of it, I feel confident I will be perfect for the rest of the postseason and finish with my second consecutive 7-4 record.
Here are my picks for the Conference Championships (home teams in CAPS, Bill's picks in red):
Jets (+8) over COLTS
If Karma truly exists, the Jets would kick the Colts' asses on Sunday for rolling over and letting them into the playoffs. While I am quite smitten with the Jets and Rex Ryan, I don't think they'll win this game. They'll be able to run all day with their 1-2 punch of Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene, allowing Sanchez to simply manage the game. But Manning and his crew will eventually prevail by a FG.
Vikings (+3.5) over SAINTS
Yeah, only an idiot would pick both dogs. But I did. As smitten as I am with the Jets, I'm even more smitten with the Vikings. They were my preseason pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, and I'm not turning my back on them now. I look for Adrian Peterson (remember him?) to have a H-U-G-E game as the Saints have shown problems stopping the run in the past. The Vikings will win this high-scoring game by a TD.
Last Week
Me: 2-2Simmons: 3-1
Playoffs
Me: 4-4Simmons: 3-5
