I made my NFL playoff predictions earlier this week. In today’s games I am going with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.
In case you missed it (shame on you if you did) here is what I wrote about those games:
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5): This is an incredibly difficult game to pick. Both teams finished the regular season 12-4, and they split two meetings by a combined score of 27-27. Umm, yes, they are evenly matched. For me, this one comes down to two things. First, Pittsburgh is home. Second, I trust Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger more in a big spot than I do Baltimore’s Joe Flacco. Pick: Steelers
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons (-1): For much of the season the Falcons (13-3) have looked like the best team in the NFC. Right now, though, the Packers look like the hottest team. Since Aaron Rodgers returned from his concussion and the Packers routed the New York Giants in Week 16, Green Bay has been hitting on all cylinders. In fact, they look a little bit like the 2007 Super Bowl champion Giants right now. I have to go with the hot hand. Pick: Packers
Here are what some others are predicting today.
Peter King of SI:
- Steelers 20, Ravens 13
- Packers 24, Falcons 21
Baltimore Sun:
- The paper polled six of its sportswriters. Four took the Ravens and two took the Steelers.
Omaha World Herald:
- Steelers 23, Ravens 17
- Packers 24, Falcons 20
New York Times:
- Steelers, Packers