Free NFL Playoff Picks for Week 1  

A wounded soldier never dies easy. Though I'm physically neither, I'm figuratively both. My record which stood strong all year, almost busted down to 500 with a mediocre week 17. Lucky went 7-8-1 and stands at 123-119-8 for the year. Like any tough couch hero, I have much to prove in week 1 of the greatest pro playoff event these states have to offer. You need look no further than the one game loser, one game done method of madness. Forty-nine TD's in the regular season could get you nowhere on the first Sunday of playoff fever. (Though I highly doubt that) Let me let you in on some secrets, and make us a little money. A little hint, take the home team.

Rams @ Seahawks Preview:
The Hawks struggled all year to find that confidence from yesteryear, but never really managed. Don't ignore the possibilities come Saturday. The Hawks still have a general in Matt Hasselbeck, that has the rocks to tell Brett Favre that he's going to take the ball, score, and win, in overtime, in Green Bay, in the playoffs. That was last year though. Matt also threw a pick that lost the game, and ended his career as a fortuneteller. The Hawks did manage wins in 3 of there last 4, and dangle Shaun Alexander, the leagues second leading rusher, at the Rams defense. The Rams won their last two, sneaking into the playoffs. Mike Martz won "his way" last Sunday, with 450 yards passing from Marc Bulger. It should be a good one.

THE BET: Rams @ Seahawks (-4) - The Rams have beaten the Hawks twice already this year, both in, and out of Seattle. That may look like a good reason to take St. Louis, but you heard it here, no way do the Rams win for the third time this year. St. Louis should make an early exit, putting the Hawks up against Philly in week 2. The 450 yards passing from Bulger and 49 yards combined from Faulk and Jackson in week 17 show me one thing, Martz' ego is disturbing. I also found another disgusting stat from their OT win in week 17. The Rams never held the ball for longer than 4 minutes and 49 seconds. Sure the Rams can get lucky and hail-Mary deep balls all over the field, but the Hawks will be giving the piggy to Shaun Alexander, and should benefit from the ability to control the ball all game long. Bulger will toss interceptions that will kill the Rams hopes, and should light a fire of confidence under the Hawks and in their search achieve like everyone thought they would be this year.
Hawks 31 Rams 21. - Game Date: 01/08/05 16:30 ET

Jets @ Chargers Preview:
The Chargers almost beat the Colts in Indianapolis two weeks ago, but fell short. Then they let Doug Flutie, and yes, even their once "assigned savior" Phillip Rivers play last week in a win against the Chiefs. Ladainian Tomlinson is as healthy now as he's been all year, which doesn't look good for the Jets. The Jets have been down lately, but still boast a stellar defense, although they did give up 450 yards passing to the Rams last week. If it weren't for the Vikings/Packers rivalry playoff game going down on Sunday, this game would be the best of the week. Both these teams won't be accepting of an early exit. The Tomlinson-Jet D match-up should be as tough as it gets. If LT rushes for over 120 yards, the Chargers come out on top, but if the Jets can find a way to make LT a non-factor in his first playoff game, they might just upset the home team Chargers. Tomlinson isn't the only great back in this one. In fact the Jets boast the leagues leading rusher, Curtis Martin. This year Curtis played like the superstar, he's always been, putting nay Sayers in their place, and placing his name on the first selection Hall of Fame list. What a great week 1 match-up.

THE BET: Jets @ Chargers(-6.5) - I just can't take the Jets, who lost to the stinking Rams last week, when it mattered. Luckily for them, the Steel-Show backups busted a hole in Bill playoff hopes, getting them in anyway. Chad Pennington looked mediocre at best last week, and for most of the regular season. Their hopes lie in the feet of Curtis Martin. Curtis will fight for some good yards, but should find it tough against the leagues most improved defensive unit. Even with backups called into action on the defensive unit, the Chargers still held the hottest back, Larry Johnson, to under 50 yards rushing in a win last week. Drew Brees continues his rise from projected backup to a rookie, to an MVP candidate. He'll find some holes in the Jets secondary, finding sudden superstar Antonio Gates and Buccaneer refugee Keenan McCardell. In a match up of one of the years best stories, the home team Chargers should get the best of the visiting Jets, who lost 6 of 10 coming in. And the winner gets a pushover in week 2, either the Steelers or the Patriots... no problem!
Chargers 27 Jets 14. - Game Date: 01/08/05 20:00 ET

Broncos @ Colts Preview:
The Broncos beat the reserve Colts to suck their way into this game, which will be the closest they'll get to beating the Colts anytime soon. Manning will have a field day with the Bronco D that has given up big yards to otherwise pathetic foes. I don't even see a chance the Broncos will get close to the Colts, which might be a chance right there, considering the crazy unpredictable nature of the league. But even that is a stretch. Jake Plummer will have to play catch-up, which means two things; more picks than touchdowns, and more Dwight Freeney sacks than they can handle. Neither bodes well for Shanahan's Broncos. Edgerrin James gets in on the scoring machine that is Indianapolis. No combo of backs, not even the return of Clinton Portis, can stop this game from being a repeat of the last time these two teams met in the playoffs. Do you remember that? I'm sure Shanahan has it on his mind.

THE BET: Broncos @ Colts (-10) - I was thinking I might have a tough decision with what I expected to be one of the biggest spreads all year, but the minor 10-point setback shouldn't even last the first quarter. Peyton Manning will give the ball to Edgerrin James a lot, which should smash the hopes of a Bronco stampede. I just don't see the fun of this game, unless you are a Colt fan, of course. Denver struggles against any passing attack, and Manning is the best QB in the league, has the most TD's in a single season, has 3 receivers who gained more than 1000 yards, a back who gained over 1500 yards on the ground, and over 2000 from scrimmage. This should be more humorous than anything. Unfortunately for the Broncos, teams don't overlook teams in the playoffs.
Colts 48 Broncos 17. - Game Date: 01/09/05 13:00 ET

Vikings @ Packers Preview:
Rivalry? Just a little. Brett's last turn at Championship hopes? Doubt it, but you never know. Randy Moss torches the Pack, and does well after he gets maimed for doing something stupid, like walking off the field early in a game that could decide how soon they get to start the off season. Okay, he messed up. This should be a fine game in the frosty cold confines of Green Bay's Lambeau Field. Ahman Green, has had a disappointing 1163 yards in about 13 games of play. He also hasn't rushed for 100 yards since week 10 against... who was that again?... oh yeah, against Minnesota in Green Bay. I wonder if Brett's planning on giving Green the ball from time to time on a cold Sunday night in Green Bay? Look for Culpepper to do his best to keep his team close, but the ageless Brett Favre will keep his team in it, and headed for Atlanta for a little revenge next week.

THE BET: Vikings @ Packers (-6) - It's tough to bet on rivalries, in any sport, but I think the smart money rests with the Green Bay Packers this Sunday. Ahman Green should shred a weak Viking D. And the Packers are just flat our better than a Viking team which tried hard to do the same thing two years in a row, when they choked and lost to a terrible Washington Redskin team minus their only offensive weapon, Clinton Portis. The Packers will control the game, and though I see Culpepper making a run near the end, I also see that folding up when Brett Favre and Ahman Green keep the Green Machine rolling.
Packers 31 Vikings 24. - Game Date: 01/09/05 16:30 ET

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Lucky Lester

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