Are you ready for some football?

Credit card debt isn't the only thing to look forward to in January...it's NFL playoff time! My buddy John Fraser (click on his name to go to his blog) and I were texting back and forth on Saturday about who we thought would win each of the NFL games on this Wild Card Weekend. While our opinions were fairly close, there was one game we could not agree on - Philadelphia at Minnesota.

I am not a Philadelphia Eagles fan. In fact, I hate the Eagles - and it all stems from Donovan McNabb and his constant whining. When things are going good, McNabb is joking around and showing up the other teams. When things are going bad, McNabb starts looking for people or circumstances to blame. The guy is a loser.

However, look at what Philadelphia had done heading into the playoffs - they had won 4 of 5, including a 44-6 thrashing of the Cowboys. Sure, Minnesota was the home team, although they couldn't even sell out their own building for a playoff game. And sure they have 'Purple Jesus', arguably the best player in the game.......but he's never been in a playoff game before. Plus, he isn't the Quarterback....and Tarvaris Jackson is terrible. So I was quite confident that Philadelphia would win. John, however, was convinced that Minnesota would win. So we came up with a friendly wager.

Whoever picked the losing team would have to put "I BOW TO THE GREATNESS OF (John/Chris)" on their blog. Well, let me just say that it was hard to root for Philly....but i'm sure glad they pulled off that 26-14 win in the end. Listen to The Goat on Wednesday evening (after 6 I believe) to hear what John Fraser has to say about our wager....and keep watching John Fraser's blog shortly after that for an important 'public service announcement'.

(UPDATE: John's blog is updated as of January 6).

By the way, as per the criteria we had agreed on, it must be posted in Times New Roman with a minimum of size 24 font. Do you know what size 24 Times New Roman font looks like?

It looks something like this.

As for my picks for next weekend........here goes nothing:

Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers

-This is a tough game to get a read on. Which Arizona Cardinals team will show up? Obviously, they are a pass-first team, but they may have to be more balanced to prevent Carolina from simply dropping more guys back into coverage. The Panthers were a bit of a surprise to me. I think they may be playing a little over their head. However they are a very balanced team - with Jake Delhomme back, everyone improves. Steve Smith sees the ball more. The running game sees more room to work. I expect a big game from all of the Carolina playmakers (DeAngelo Williams, Steve Smith and Jonathan Stewart). I'm picking the Panthers.


Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans

-I expect a low scoring game as these are two very good and stingy defenses. If Baltimore can stop Tennessee's running game and force Kerry Collins to beat them through the air, they will have a chance. But the Ravens have a rookie QB and a rookie head coach...I like the Titans to win.

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

-This could be a very close game, or it could be a blowout one way or the other. Really, I think it is going to come down to which QB plays better. McNabb and Eli Manning are both about as streaky as they come. If they are hot, it could be a shootout. But if either or both of them struggle, it will be a long afternoon. The teams have split their games this year - although the Giants blew out the Eagles, while the Eagles barely squeaked by the Giants late in the season. Give me the Giants to win.

San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

-The Chargers are the unlikely playoff team, becoming the first NFL team ever to start a season 4-8, and still make the playoffs. They really have nothing to lose, and are on a roll. Any time you can beat Indianapolis in the playoffs, you know you are playing well. Norv Turner is a good coach, despite what was said early in the season, and he will make sure his guys are ready to play. The Steelers, however, have the best defence in the game. This game is in Pittsburgh, so the Chargers will have to deal with both the cold weather, and some of the loudest, terrible-towel waving fans in the game. Give me Pittsburgh to win, and I don't think it will be close.