Another weekend means it’s time for more NFL football. This may be my favorite weekend of the playoffs with 2 days of big-ticket doubleheaders. I was feeling pretty good after going 4-0 with my picks plus getting the BCS game right, the coaches are another story though. Heck, I’m happy to have gotten 1 right with all the twists and turns that seem to be taking place. Also, no surprise to see the Jags opening pop up – no new GM likes to take over without having “his guy” running the show.

No more coach predictions this time, but rather some analysis of what’s taken place in the past week. My gut had told me Chip Kelly wouldn’t leave college, mostly since I don’t think he would last in the NFL, but everyone said he was gone. Provided that Oregon doesn’t get sanctioned, they should be a fun team to watch for years to come with him in charge. On the other hand, I’m not sure anyone really thought his long lost cousin Brian would be flirting with leaving after the season he had at ND. I think the title game showed him just how far ND is from winning the BCS and made him question getting there, but he will still end up in South Bend – most likely with more money too. Perhaps the most interesting opening left is the Chicago Bears. It is hands down the best opening, and Phil Emery is sure taking his time to hire a new coach. It feels like they’ve talked to 50 guys by now, but I’ve also heard that he’s very prepared and isn’t rushing the process. Jay Cutler publicly backing the Texans OC is an interesting move. The Bears obviously need their QB on board with who he works with, but will they let him influence the decision in hopes to get the most out of him? Bill Cowher has said he would like to be back on the sidelines, but it won’t be for this season. Lovie Smith is struggling to find a job since everyone wants an offensive guy running the show. I still think he’ll get a chance with a less demanding franchise as long as he gets a good OC to come with him, but it would be a sad mockery is the only reason he’s gotten all these interviews is because of the Rooney Rule.

Now, are you ready for some football?!?

Ravens at Broncos: This matchup tugs are my heartstrings the most this weekend. Two of my favorite players will face off in Ray Lewis and Peyton Manning. Some would say I can’t lose since one team will be playing next weekend with a chance to go to the Super Bowl, but I’m so torn. It’s a big game for both of them – PM to continue his rise back as an elite QB after many neck surgeries and Ray to continue his ride to retirement with a win. My heart says to go with the Ravens since PM will get more chances for a ring still. However, when you look at the match-up, it’s not an easy task for Baltimore. They’ve already lost to this team at home, but do have some key guys on D back. I know Joe Flacco has been good on the road in the playoffs, but he’s been pretty mediocre to bad this season in general. I’ve heard the stats about Manning playing in freezing temperatures but don’t buy that having an impact today since he’s used to wearing the glove and has a solid run game and D to avoid long spurts of getting cold (both literally and figuratively) on the bench. In the end, the balanced offensive and strong defense of the Broncos is too much for Flacco to beat and the Lewis saga ends today. Don’t be surprised if the Ravens cover the 9½ point spread though.

Packers at 49ers: I don’t even want to talk about their week 1 game at this point – too much has changed for both teams for that to even be relevant. Aaron Rodgers finally has all of his targets back and they are trying to help him with a run game. The Packers D is still suspect, but looked good last week (I know it was against Webb) and could give Colin Kaepernick trouble in his first post-season start. I know SF has Smith back, but there’s no way that he’s playing close to 100%. Ultimately, this game could go either way and will come down to which defense can come up big. In the end, the man who’s been here before will do enough to beat the Niners D and SF will suffer another heartbreaking home playoff loss as the Packers get the W and move one step closer to another Super Bowl.

Seahawks at Falcons: This is a game where all the pressure is on Atlanta. They’re the number 1 seed and their postseason woes are becoming the norm. This is also a nightmare matchup for them. Matt Ryan is a good QB but struggled at times this season and needs to step up in a big way with the targets he has. The Falcons run game has disappeared at times this year and must be a factor for them to get the W and their D needs to come out ready to play – which is a big question based on their performance this season. There seems to be a lot of talk from the players in Atlanta and now it’s time for them to back it up. On the flip side, you have one of my favorite coaches in Pete Carroll leading a Seahawks team that we all balked at when they beat Green Bay with a bad replacement ref call. No one expected them to be here and most doubted them – until they manhandled San Fran in primetime. The Clemons injury is a big blow to Seattle’s defense. They’re still good, but there’s more pressure on their corners this week and their effectiveness may decide the game. Russell Wilson has become a star as a rookie and is lucky enough to have Marshawn Lynch behind him. Provided Lynch can be effective with his foot injury, Seattle will continue this impressive run and get another road playoff win. I expect the Falcons to keep it close, but fall short in the battle of the birds.

Texans at Patriots: To be honest, this is the least interesting of the games to me. I don’t think this will be a close game, and will yield the same result we saw the last time they met. Houston looked so good when the season started and have been on a steady decline since. They should have clinched a first round bye but fell flat when the pressure was on. They should have lost to the Bengals but found a way to win. Their defense is struggling and Foster isn’t the force we expected him to be. To win in Foxborough, Matt Schaub will have to have a flawless game. I wouldn’t put my money on that! On the flip side, New England is just doing what they seem to do every January. Bill Belichick is one heck of a coach and has his team ready to make a run at another championship. Tom Brady has his targets back, and a run game (not like he needs much of one anyways). The Patriots D has also improved since last year and will cause problems for Schaub and company. Brady will get the best of the Texans D and the Patriots will beat them for the second time this season.

Pick most likely to go wrong: either NFC game

Now, it’s time to enjoy the games!