My Picks

I'm picking the Steelers over the Pats despite the fact that there are a lot of things in the Patriots favor today, namely that the Steelers are starting a rookie QB who has played like a rookie recently. And that the Patriots have the coolest QB in the league in Tom Brady. And that the Pats finally have a very good running back in Corey Dillon. After the Pats manhandling of the Colts, nobody would be shocked to see them continue rolling the competition.

The Steelers, however, don't play the same kind of game as the Colts. Far from it, in fact. So what will put the Steelers over the top? Nothing fancy, but I expect the Steelers to be able to run the ball well because the O-line is among the best and Bettis and Staley both are bruising runners who are tough to stop for a loss. As great as Peyton Manning has been this season, the Colts last week played right into the Patriots hands by all but abandoning the running game. The Steelers won't make that mistake, and it will ultimately pay off when Big Ben winds up having a better day than Manning did last week. And I think it's worth nothing that Brady has not played mistake free football this season either, and the Steelers defense is one that could force some turnovers.

In the NFC it is easy to see how Atlanta might win this game because Vick and Dunn are both great talents. But the Eagles are just solid all around and it's tough to see them having a let down. If Atlanta can win in the trenches it wouldn't suprise me to see the Falcons in the Super Bowl, but that is not a sure thing and I'll go with the Eagles. And besides, Mike Vick is kind of a punk.