It's a bittersweet weekend in the NFL.
For 20 NFL teams, the 2010 season is over. We won't see 62.5 percent of the league's teams play a meaningful game until the second week of September.
(Before you bring up the potential work stoppage, check out Brewing Thoughts on the right side of the screen.)
On the bright side, however, the next 11 NFL games will be the most meaningful games of the season. In that 11th game, we will crown a world champion.
Will the Saints repeat? Are Peyton Manning and the Colts the postseason threat we've grown accustomed to? Can the Jets and Packers fulfill my preseason expectations and make it to Dallas as no. 6 seeds?
In this, my first column of 2011, I will tackle this weekend's games as well as my predictions for the rest of the playoffs.
Let's get to the picks.
New Orleans Saints (11-5) at Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
Line: Ranges from New Orleans -10 to New Orleans -11; opened at New Orleans -10.5
Like it or not, the Seattle Seahawks are the first team in NFL history with a chance to play for the Vince Lombardi Trophy after finishing the regular season with a sub-.500 record.
Their reward for winning the NFC West? A visit from the defending Super Bowl-champion New Orleans Saints. Yikes.
In Seattle's defense, the Seahawks are a much better team when they play at Qwest Field. Seattle's home record was level with the Saints and Chicago Bears, and was better than Philadelphia's home mark.
But we're in the postseason now. Sean Payton did a great job getting his team back to the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl last year. There is no reason to believe the Saints won't be focused on getting to Dallas for the chance to defend their world championship.
When these two teams met in New Orleans Nov. 21, the game wasn't close. The Saints blew out to a 21-6 lead, handing the Seahawks a 34-19 defeat when all was said and done.
In that game, Matt Hasselbeck, who will start Saturday's game, threw for 366 yards and a touchdown. Drew Brees, however, threw for 382 yards and four scores. The Seahawks offense will put up a fight, but as was the case just before Thanksgiving, it just won't be enough.
The Pick: New Orleans 30, Seattle 17
New York Jets (11-5) at Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
Line: Ranges from Indianapolis -2.5 to Indianapolis -3; opened at Indianapolis -3
When these two teams met at Lucas Oil Stadium in last year's playoffs, the Colts were a powerhouse looking to return to the Super Bowl, while the Jets were a spunky bunch led by a brash first-year head coach.
Jump to the present, where the Jets are the biggest talkers in the league, while the Colts are limping (almost literally) into yet another home playoff game.
The tipping point for the Jets will be Mark Sanchez's play. If he plays smart and limits his mistakes, New York will be in the driver's seat Saturday afternoon. If Indy's pass rush can fluster Sanchez and keep Peyton Manning on the field, the Colts will be booking their flight to Pittsburgh.
When I look at this game, I see a banged up home team hosting a confident opponent that has the necessary components to win in the playoffs: Strong defense and a tough running game.
The best way to beat Peyton Manning is to keep him on the sidelines. This Jets team learned plenty from last year's unexpected playoff push. Manning is surrounded my role players who will be looked upon to carry the playoff load, something those other players haven't yet done in their careers.
The Pick: New York 24, Indianapolis 20
Baltimore Ravens (12-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
Line: Ranges from Baltimore -3 to Baltimore -3.5; opened at Baltimore -3
Another year means another road playoff game for Joe Flacco, John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens.
Last year's run started off in grand style, as the Ray Rice ran for an 83-yard touchdown on the game's opening play, as the Ravens knocked off the New England Patriots, 33-14.
After opening last year's playoffs against Matt Cassel's old team, the Ravens pay a visit to one of the most feared stadiums in the NFL, Arrowhead Stadium. When they arrive, the league's most potent rushing attack will be waiting.
Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones will be the key for the AFC West-champion Kansas City Chiefs. The duo combined for 2,363 rushing yards this season, and was arguably the driving force behind Kansas City's surprising 2010 campaign.
The experienced Ravens defense must shut Charles and Jones down to walk out of Arrowhead Stadium victorious. Veterans like Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis must make a difference in the run game to force Cassel to attempt to beat Baltimore's sometimes questionable secondary.
If the game comes down to the match-up between Matt Cassel and Ed Reed, my money is on the future Hall-of-Famer.
The Pick: Baltimore 21, Kansas City 17
Green Bay Packers (10-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
Line: Ranges from Philadelphia -2.5 to Philadelphia -3; opened at Philadelphia -2.5
One team's season will end where it began, as the Philadelphia Eagles host the Green Bay Packers in a rematch of the season opener for both clubs.
This time around, it will be Most Valuable Player candidate Michael Vick leading the Eagles against Clay Matthews and the Packers.
The final wildcard game of the season will be a clash of strengths, as the NFC's top scoring offense faces the NFC's top scoring defense. Philadelphia averaged 27.4 points per game during the regular season, while Green Bay allowed an average of 15 points per contest.
Vick must be able to handle the blitzes and schemes that have brought him back down to earth over the last few weeks in order for the Eagles to advance. If the Packers want to continue their 2010 season, they must find a consistent running game.
When Green Bay paid visit to Lincoln Financial Field in the season's opening week, they were expecting to face Kevin Kolb for four quarters, but got Vick for three. This time, they know what they're up against.
The Pick: Green Bay 27, Philadelphia 23
Week 16 record: 10-6
Week 16 record v. spread: 8-8
Last week: 12-4
Last week v. spread: 9-7
Regular season record: 171-85
Regular season record v. spread: 131-125
Now that this week's picks are out of the way, let's peer a little deeper into the crystal ball to see who will head to Dallas, and who will raise the Lombardi Trophy Feb. 6.
NFC Divisional Playoffs
Atlanta Falcons (13-3) over Green Bay Packers (11-6) - It was a close game when these two met at the Georgia Dome during the regular season, and it should be again this time around. A week to recover, and a wild Atlanta crowd, gives the Falcons the edge.
New Orleans Saints (12-5) over Chicago Bears (11-5) - Jay Cutler over the defending Super Bowl champions? I don't care if this game is in Chicago - I'm taking the champs.
AFC Divisional Playoffs
New England Patriots (14-2) over New York Jets (12-5) - The league's best offense gets a chance to rest before the hated Jets arrive at Gillette Stadium. The first go-'round didn't go too well for the Jets. It won't be a blowout, but the result will be the same.
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) over Baltimore Ravens (13-4) - Troy Polamalu is a Raven killer. He did it earlier this season, and he did it the last time these teams met int the playoffs. I'm now going to break all of my fingers for typing this.
NFC Championship Game
Atlanta Falcons (14-3) over New Orleans Saints (13-5) - The ultimate rubber match. Surprisingly enough, the home team lost both times these two teams got together in the regular season. Not this time.
AFC Championship Game
Pittsburgh Steelers (13-4) over New England Patriots (15-2) - When these two AFC titans clashed in Pittsburgh, the Patriots came out on top. Talk about payback.
Super Bowl XLV
Pittsburgh Steelers (14-4) over Atlanta Falcons (15-3) - God, I hope I'm wrong.
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