That sounds like an excuse to me. I don't have much use for labels such as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stringer. I believe these guys are professional players who have to be ready to play when the coach calls their name. If a player buys into the mentality that he is a second and third rate player, then that's what he will be. For example, Tom Brady was ready when coach Bill Belichick called his name.

Football is a team sport. Be ready!

Seattle Seahawks 21 @ Chicago Bears 16

New York Jets 24 @ New England Patriots 27

Baltimore Ravens 13 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 10

Green Bay Packers 31 @ Atlanta Falcons 24

Chicago Bears 28, Seattle Seahawks 14

New England Partriots 35, NY Jets 10

Pitt Steelers 21, Baltimore Ravens 10

Atlanta Falcons 21, GB Packers 17

Chicago 23, Seattle 10
New England 28, NY Jets 7
Green Bay 24, Atlanta 20
Pittsburgh 17, Baltimore 10

GUARANTEED wins by Chicago and New England. Bet the house!

Especially New England where Rex Ryan's inexperience, mouth and ego always take precedence over the team. While neither of them will make even one tackle, block, pass or catch, Rex still thinks this is between him and Bill Bellichick.

Pittsburgh will win as well. Roethlisburger versus Flacco, a week rest for Pitt...enough said.

Packers/Falcons seems to be the only tough pick among the 4 games. I still go with Falcons.

First, nothing is GUARANTEED! Seattle has whipped Chicago once this year. They already know they can beat a tough opponent

How can you call Rex Ryan inexperienced? He had his team playing in the AFC championship last year and has the opportunity to go again. His record coaching against the Patriots is 2-2. He has years of football coaching experience and a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens. Check the resume.

As for the Steelers and Ravens, you have two evenly matched opponents. Pitts. may be too rested for this fight. Plus, Polamalu is probable!

Green Bay is hot!

Rex has been around long enough and done enough to make it work. Yes he does have an ego, but that is ok and yes he does have a mouth, but so did the entire 85 Bears team and all they did was win the Super Bowl. But having said that Rex's real problem is that New England is just a better team. If I am to buy into TR's idea that the Colts are soft somewhat overrated team, what does that say about the Jets needing every last play to finally put away a soft over rated team? I like the Pat's (and how it pains me to say that) 24-14.

The is nothing more dangerous then a team that everyone else thinks is the ultimate push over. Seatle showed the Saints the mistake of thinking that way. The did beat the Bears the last time around but I think the Bears are better now. Are the Seahawks? They sure believe in themselves, but I believe in the Bears this time around. 17-10

Ravens VS Steelers, wow flip a coin on this one. Big Ben does give the Steelers an edge. But Flaco is no dud, if he plays free of mistakes this will be a good one. I think this will be my upset special Ravens 13-10.

I know I said on a previous post that I liked Alanta and New England in the Super Bowl, but Green Bay is hot and they seem to have found a running game to go with Rogers. I agree that this may be the best game of the day and even though it is being played in Atlanta I will let my midwest roots show and take Green Bay 24-21. I mean how cool would a Packers-Bears showdown in the NFC title game be!!

I'd love to see that.

Chicago-23 Seattle-14 New England-24 New York-17 Pittsburgh-17 Baltimore-14 Atlanta- 20 Green Bay-17 I want the Pack and the Jets to win-I just am not at all sure that either or both teams can win two road playoff games in a row-especially considering that both Atlanta and New England have two weeks of physical recovery, rest, practice, and preparation. Then again, I may be over-rating the whole extra week off thing. And I DID pick the Pack as my one team capable of knocking of Atlanta. Still-those are my picks.

Okay, I gotta say this.
It's bothered me since defenses started dropping linemen into coverage.
On the last play before I typed this, the Ravens' front line backed off. Only 3 rushed -- all from the outside. By my count (without benefit of a replay), 4 Steelers' linemen were standing there with nobody to block because the opposing linemen dropped into coverage.
Yes, the Steelers' line must do a better job of blocking.
And yes, many of the contact penalties unfairly favor the offense.
Still, it's interesting.
Consider:
- If an offensive lineman is not on the line, it's illegal formation.
- If an interior offensive lineman moves forward before the ball is thrown on a pass play, it's ineligible man downfield.
So you're a guard or a center (assume the tackles have one of the outside guys to deal with). You don't have anybody to block, and you can't go downfield. A good time to check your investment portfolio?