When the Day is Done

Well, well, well. Last week I went 3 - 1. Not too shabby, eh? This week presents two incredibly challenging games to predict. But let's cut to the chase:

Broncos over the Steelers. While both teams love to blitz, and "Blitzburgh" will live up to its name, Jake Plummer is much more mobile than Peyton Manning. I think ultimately Jake "the Snake" will create just enough time to find an open receiver. If this game was in Pittsburgh there is no way I would chose against them. However Mile High has always favored the home team.

Panthers over the Seahawks. Yes my heart is with the Panthers, but my brain is with them too. If any team can pull out a victory on the road in the playoffs, it is Carolina. John Fox will have the 'Hawks offensive ground game sputtering by following a similar defensive blueprint as the one put forth by Dallas in their week 7 victory over the 'Hawks. And while Hasselbeck will have a decent game, it won't be enough compared to his counterpart Jake Delhomme. Of course he'll find Steve Smith, but look for Drew Carter and Kerry Colbert to play a bigger part in the offense than most people expect. Coach Fox's team, yes I will use the all-too-obvious pun, will out-fox the 'Hawks.

SuperBowl XL will be nicknamed "The Battle of the Jakes" as Delhomme's Panthers will square off against Plummer's Broncos. I can already see the headlines touting and playing with the same notion I just entertained. But of course, we'll all have to wait and see for sure When the Day is Done.