Round 2
Posted January 11, 2006, 9:33 PM ET

The first round of the NFL Playoffs left me empty. Maybe it was because the college football BCS games were so good and so entertaining, that the NFL's Wild Card slate couldn't match the entertainment value....and by the way, college games were much better than the NFL's opening round games.

I'm thrilled that the Panthers "punched the ticket" and advanced, but if you didn't have a rooting interest in either team, you would have turned it...it wasn't competitive. The Panthers 23-0 thrashing of the Giants left New Yorkers bitching more than normal.

To be honest, most of the Wild Card games were blowouts, and that in itself was surprising. The average margin was 17 points.

But now that we got past the appetizer, let's get to the Divisional Playoff games...the matchups look great on paper. It should be noted that the teams that receive byes in the opening round have a traditionally huge advantage going into Divisional Playoff games. Since the new playoff system went into effect in 1990, the home team has won 49 of 60 games...that's nearly 82%.

So on the surface and using the track record in place the home teams this weekend should be in good shape. The Seahawks, Broncos, Colts and Bears combined this season to go 30-2 at home....30-2! The Seahawks and Broncos were the only two NFL teams not lose at home this season.

So, if you were a betting man, would you take all four home teams to win this weekend in the NFL Playoffs?

Not me. Despite the gaudy 30-2 record, somebody is going down at home. I spoke with FOX Sports' Daryl "Moose" Johnston on my radio show this week, and his best guess for a home loss this weekend exists in Chicago. Can you really trust Rex Grossman in a playoff game? The Bears haven't won a home playoff game since 1991!

But when you realize that the Bears have only given up 61 points at home all season (24 to Cincy back in September in their only home loss)...you can understand why the Bears believe that they are the team to beat in the NFC.

It is all speculation at this point...nobody knows what is really going to happen on Saturday and Sunday. But I'm going to predict that two of these great home teams are going to suffer losses in front of their frenzied fans.

Which two ?

I already told you...I've got no idea. But I don't know how you pick against New England...until somebody beats Brady and Co. in the postseason, you've got to pick them to keep winning....Are the Broncos allowed to win a playoff game without John Elway under center?

The Colts will be tested by Pittsburgh...but I think Peyton gets the job done in the dome....Plus, I think the whole country is waiting for a Colts-Patriots AFC Championship game.

In the NFC, the Skins have been a great story. Joe Gibbs is now 17-5 in his career during the playoffs....how good is that? Some people thought the game had passed him by....wrong.
The Skins have played emotional games on the road in Philly, Tampa and now have to travel across the country to play red-hot Seattle. The Skins beat them earlier this year, but they will fall short this time. Seattle wins a playoff game and hosts the NFC Championship next weekend.

The Seahawks will play the Panthers.

Just my two cents...like I wrote earlier, it is anybody's guess what happens this weekend...but I can't wait to get to Chicago to find out.