Like drinking poison... like eating glass... like John Lorenz, and the AFC.

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Here I am, back with more great NFL nuggets… Let’s go AFC.

Indianapolis vs. Pittsburgh

As sad and unfortunate as it is, you have to wonder how the death of James Dungy has affected the Colts. Are they the same team? Obviously not – but that does not necessarily mean it has made them worse football-wise or that they will play poorly. Something intangible about the invincible aura of the Colts is gone – of course it really started with the loss to San Diego. Maybe they’ll get that back. As the Colts
showed previously, as well as the Bengals for one play Sunday, you can beat Pittsburgh over the top and open up the running game. So the Colts will score points. Also, the Colts front four can get pressure on Roethlisberger, which is something the Bengals couldn’t do which I see as being the key to this game – really any NFL game. The Bengals actually did okay against the run, but kept getting torched down the field. Not really the hallmark of a Pittsburgh win, but it’s not
something Indy will have to contend with, so they should be able to concentrate on the run and shut it down a la last time.
Pick: Indianapolis 34, Pittsburgh 21

Denver vs. New England

I’m biased here because if nothing else happens, I want Jake Plummer to bring back the mustache to show Adam Morrison what a real mustache looks like. Anyway, I’m just now starting to come around on Brady and Patriots… I know, it only took me three Super Bowls. I still don’t like them, but I’ll respect them. That being said, this is the hardest game to get a beat on. I’m going to have to do actual research. Hold on a second…

Passing Defense: Denver 29th , New England 31st (Oh Snap! There’s only 32 teams, dog!)

Rushing Defense: Denver 2nd , New England 8th (I guess we know what their strengths are…)

Scoring Defense: Denver: 2nd (How is that possible?), New England 17th

Defensive Edge: Denver

Offensive Edge: Even – Although, Denver is decidedly more balanced.

Alright, so here it is – if New England is stopping something, it’s the run. Which means it’s up to Jake Plummer to beat New England… yikes! But Shanahan has a way of being wildly successful running the ball against whoever he wants, but also of screwing up games like this. Here’s the X-Factor – takeaways: Denver +18, New England -4. If Denver is going to win, that’s the battle where it will be won. They need to make it easy on Jake the Snake. New England is hot and confident and something about Tedy Bruschi being an inspiration to starving children in Africa who
suffered strokes… but if Denver wins in turnovers, they’ll win the game. I say they do it and knock off the champs at Mile High Stadium. Wait… is it supposed to snow? Tuck rule… TUCK RULE!... Just checked… weather looks clear…
Pick: Denver 24, New England 21

Denver vs. Indianapolis

Can Denver knock off Indianapolis? If anyone can do it, it’s Denver who’s probably the most overlooked 13-3 team around. Denver’s super balanced attack is the perfect tonic to combat Indianapolis’ super aggressive defense which is bound to bite on a play action here or over-pursue there. I kind of don’t want to call this game until I get a better read on the Colts, but their team speed both offense and defense
counts for more on turf. It feels wrong to pull the home field advantage for both the NFC and AFC championship, but it’s valid especially when Jake Plummer is involved. I’m not forecasting a full out implosion. I hope he does well, and I’m kind of rooting for him because all this hype about how unstoppable Indianapolis is pretty much irritates the crap out of me. But in the interest of being objective, I don’t think Indianapolis can lose on turf. No one has really seen them play in a month, so we’ll see, but if this game had been played in November, Indianapolis by two touchdowns. It’s January now, so for whatever that’s worth…
Pick: Indianapolis 35, Denver 28