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Well, the Wild-Card games are over and there are some questions that I'm curious to find the true answers about this weekend:

1. Can the Jaguars defense stop the high-powered Patriots offense? I'm going to say no. I think that the Jags offense may be able to go toe-to-toe with the Patriots, but their defense got tired against Pittsburgh in the second half and allowed them to score some points through the air. I think that the same thing will happen here. It'll be a great game with two great offenses, but the Jags secondary needs to step it up if they want to win in Foxboro.

2. Will the Colts, and more importantly Peyton, redeem themselves for the game they had earlier this year against the Chargers? I say absolutely. They've had a week to rest their players and get them healthy. The Colts were not 100% when the lost to the Patriots and Chargers back to back, and honestly haven't been for a majority of the season. Harrison finally sounds like he'll be playing again, which forces the Charger defense to not focus so much on Wayne like they did in the previous matchup. Will it be easy? Of course not, but it'll definitely be a better showing by all the Colts, especially Manning, this time around.

3. Will Seattle get a decent ground game to compliment Hasselbeck? I don't think so. One thing they've been missing since Steve Hutchinson went to Minnesota (after Alexander's record-year) is an O-line built for running. They have 2 good running backs in Alexander and Morris and played a VERY tough Redskins defense last week where the duo only rushed for 59 yards combined. But, things may change against the Pack, who ranked 14th in run defense. I'm still betting for a better day for Hasselbeck than Alexander and Morris, though.

4. Will the dream run come to an end for Favre? The inevitable answer is yes, but I don't believe it will be this weekend. The Seahawks defense looked pretty good for being ranked 15th overall in the NFL. But, they were also facing the Redskins offense, who ranked 15th in overall offense. Now, the Seahawks have to play Green Bay, who had the 2nd overall offense in the NFL, even ahead of Dallas. It'll be a battle to see who's for real this season: the Packer offense that won 13 games or the Seahawk defense who shut down a team playing on emotion.

5. Now that Eli has that first playoff win, can he finally lead the Giants over the Cowboys when it matters most? I have to believe yes. The momentum is certainly on his side after a great showing in the loss to the Patriots and leading them to a win over the Buccaneers. His confidence level is up and his mistakes are down. While he doesn't control the whole game for the Giants, he's finally showing leadership. I do realize that the Bucs offense is not the Cowboys offense that ranked 3rd in total offense this year. But, at the same time, it's not known wether or not T.O. will play. And if T.O. doesn't play, I have to think that the Giants have a better chance of winning the game if they can shut down Romo.

That being said, here are my predictions for this weekend's Divisional Playoffs:

AFC:
Patriots over Jaguars
Colts over Chargers

NFC:
Packers over Seahawks
Giants over Cowboys

Great predictions, I very much agree with you.

The Giants and Cowboys game is probably the most anticipating, and it will be close. Two two main points of this game is whether T.O. will play or not, and if the great Giants defensive line will win the battle against the great Cowboys offensive line. Giants' game plan: wear Dallas out, and don't turn over the ball, and don't give up the big play. Dallas' game plan: pressure and confuse/scare Eli Manning. Eli won them the game at Tampa Bay. He has been proven to play well in warm weather. As long as there's no precipitation, winds, and the temperature stays above 50 degrees, Eli will be fine. Bradshaw and Jacobs should be able to carry the team for tough yards. Barber and Jones should be able to do the same for Dallas. Romo is usually accurate, but very much depends on T.O.'s availability. Should he play? If the Cowboys want to win, yes. This isn't a junk game. Loser goes home. The Cowboys need T.O. in order to win, it's that simple. Why risk an injury you ask? Um, to save your season. And don't worry. He played in the Super Bowl against the Eagles with a busted ankle, and had a great game...Why not here, where it also matters. I predict a close game, with the Giants on top. The defenses may keep it lower scoring than the other games you've seen. Also, anyone can win in a divisional game. So, gotta root for my home team...GO GIANTS exclaim

Seahawks have a great home record, in whether-factored Seattle. The Seahawks also have a great defense. They have a very talented offense with big names, but they haven't showed up last week, let alone most of the regular season (besides Hasselbeck & Engram). I just don't see many teams going into Lambeau and winning. The Packers have an underrated defense, and are rested, with some injuries. Green Bay should win this game by about 10 points.

The Chargers played ugly football yesterday against the Titans, but got the job done. Both defenses played well, but the Chargers had a bit more momentum, over the unstable Tennessee secondary. The Colts should get Harrison and Gonzales back for this game. With Wayne and Clark, those are 4 extremely reliable targets for P. Manning to work with. A big air game can only open up bigger things on the ground for Addai. I predict a farily high scoring game, with the Colts on top in double digits. Dungy knows how to get it done at home, in the playoffs.

The Jaguars and Patriots. Wow, great game this should be. I predicted midway through the season, that if there was one AFC team that could beat the Patriots, it would be the Jaguars. They have the speed in the secondary, the controlling defensive line, and a mobile quarterback that doesn't make big mistakes. Jones-Drew and Taylor will do their part, but the key for the Jaguars is for their receivers to step up in order to win this game. You can't say any more about the Patriots, who have been perfect this season. They are a bit nicked up from injuries, but the bye should give them rest, and the close win against the Giants to make them 16-0 should carry on and give them momentum. But the Patriots won't be thinking about 16-0. They are eying the Super Bowl. They are now in Brady and Belicheck territory. The Playoffs. Brady can win in any situation, and this year's Coach of the Year should have his team ready, as always. In order for the Patriots to win, they need to stretch the field on offense (mix run and pass), not give up any big plays on defense, and win the field position game, against a Jacksonville team that may panic. Playing at New England does not help the Jaguars, but if they've done it, twice, in frigid snowing Pittsburgh, with the Steelers' fans and defense, why not at the Patriots. I predict a New England win, in a very close game, by less than a touchdown.

So, yes, nice picks. I agree with you:

Packers
Patriots
Colts
Giants

Um...a lot of people went 4-0 this week, anyways, with fairly simple picks.

And sick and tired of people putting down the Seahawks? Their defense is the only thing that kept them alive. Their offense has huge names, but have been in a big slump. I mean...who plays their starters and losses to the Falcons?

Anyways...You pick the Seahawks @ Lambeau field, the Jaguars against a 16-0 team, and a maybe T.O.-less team against the Giants?

sweatdrop

I never said the Seahawks were a bad team. They are the best team in the NFC West. They have one of the best defenses in all of the NFL. Yet, Alexander isn't producing, and the former MVP is what they've based their offense around in recent years. Anyways, Hasselbeck and Alexander played in that game, as well as Trufant and Tatupu. No way should you lose to the Falcons, let alone give up 40+ points to their terrible offense.

I don't see the Seahawks winning this Saturday. Lambeau Field is probably the toughest away stadium to play at. The Seahawks are not good away. The Packers have a great and underrated defense. Their running game, with Grant, is really starting to click. Favre is Favre, and he's gotten much help from Driver, Jennings, and their two TEs. I predict the Packers to win by at least a touchdown.

How can the 2007 Seahawks team (10-6) with an inconsistent offense and pretty crumbling running game be better than their 2005 NFC Champion Seahawks team?

I've seen three of their games this season, and know a lot of their stats. All I can tell you is that their great 2005 running game is very absent this season.

I think Alexander only has like two 100 yards rushing games this season. He only has 4 TDs and like 2.5 times less yards than his MVP season. He also ranks among low for running backs at 3.5 yards per carry, not very good.

That may effect total yards, touchdowns, or carries, but not yards per carry...