The post season is finally here and it kicks off this weekend with the NFC and AFC wildcard playoffs.  Below you will find the matchups for the first round of the AFC playoffs with Indy vs San Diego and Baltimore at Miami.  Below are the betting lines and picks for each game.

Saturday, January 3rd

Indianapolis Colts  -1  51
San Diego Chargers

My Pick:  The Chargers have surprised alot of people lately and I am one of them.  They way they beat up Tampa and the Broncos at the end of the season to get in was the stuff of shock and awe even after Norv Turner officially started to try and kill his own team as he is so used to doing.  Felipe’ Rivers has been on his game and even LT has come back to life and been allowed to run a little and amazingly enough their defense has even shown up when it counted.  The Chargers always seem to do this, they tank half way through the season and talk a bunch of smack about each other and then at the end of the season they make a run just to be dramatic about the whole thing.  The way that they pounded on the Broncos really took me back, not because I thought the Broncos were that good, but because I think San Diego is that bad.  They proved me wrong, but I am still not jumping on their bandwagon because; 1. It has been stated that I am a hater of all teams from Southern California and 2. When they piss it down their leg they really do it all the way…If these guys make a mistake you can bet Indy will capitalize on it and Felipe’ has been known to throw a pick or 3 in his time.  The Colts got off to a slow start at the beginning losing 4 games very early on, but have since found their groove and doing what it takes to win the game.  They are mixing it up and even getting Dominick Rhodes involved.  Their defense just shut out the Titans last week and while I know Tennessee was taking it easy they were still trying to score just for the sake of saving their pride and they were denied.  Indy has sold me, San Diego (which is German for, a Whales Vagina) has not.  Give the point, I think Peyton wants to silence the critics and can make a legitimate run at another Superbowl title.

Sunday, January 4th

Baltimore Ravens  -3  37.5
Miami Dolphins

My Pick:  I called it back in week 13, I said that the Dolphins are going to the playoffs and here they are riding a 5 game win streak with a record of 11-5 when just one year ago they were 1-15.  The defense is on point and the offense has not been this productive in 5 years, Pennington has really brought it all together down there and coach Tony Sparano has gotten the best out of what he has to work with.  This is definitely a playoff worthy team, however is it too much to ask a team to do a complete 180′ like they have and still progress in the playoffs?  I think so and despite my renewed enthusiasim for the Fin’s I don’t think they can handle a team like the Ravens who are so balanced on both sides of the ball.  Rookie QB Joe Flacco has gotten the Baltimore faithful all fired up as he has remained posed and confident in the pocket and constantly finding Derrick Mason deep down the field.  The 3 pronged running attack from McGahee, McClain and Rice has been dominating opposing defenses all season long and cannot be denied the endzone once inside the 20 yard line.  Their defense is yet again top of the league and will provide more than a little frustration for Pennington and Brown.  I doubt you will see much wildcat formations in this game, it just doesn’t work against Ray Lewis and the Ravens D.  I think both defenses will show up to play and it is going to stay tight, but I don’t think the Fins can get it done when it comes down to the wire.  The brain says give the points, but my heart says take them.  You decide…

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