I often resist making predictions because I wind up cheering for the predictions instead of just enjoying the games. What the heck, here are my choices anyway. I don't care if I go 0-4 because they are great matchups and I'm sure I will enjoy them anyway. (What I get to see; the girls are here and I need to take Emily to volleyball practice right during the Bears game tomorrow). I also have a distinct team to cheer for in each game, which is nice. Usually there are at least a couple of games where I don't much care who wins.

The other up-front observation is that these are all tough calls IMO. There is not a game among the four where both teams don't have a good chance to win.

Going in the same order you did, chronologically, I have to agree with you the Ravens will beat the Colts. They are the one team in the playoffs I can't stand but credit where credit is due. Their defense is terrific and they are probably my first choice to win the Super Bowl. If Peyton can put a bunch of points on the board against those guys he will really be doing something. The Ravens are at home and I have to go with them. It might not even be close.

The Saints-Eagles game is a tough pick. The Eagles have been coming on but are still far from an overwhelming team. As you say, they somehow manage to do just enough to win. That kind of luck often runs out and I think it is going to run out in New Orleans. The Saints had the luxury of being able to coast into the playoffs and stay healthy. Their offense is as good as any, right there in the same breath as the Chargers and Colts. I'm going with the Saints in a close one.

The Bears will handle Seattle. And it will be their last win this season, regardless of who wins in New Orleans. Rex won't hurt them because they will be following a game plan that won't let him.

Oh, BTW, I heard a new nickname for him the other day: Turnoverosaurus Rex.

A couple of local tidbits. There has been plenty of talk about what happened last year and both Lovie Smith and the players have been shooting it down as the subject comes up in press conferences or whatever. "What happened with Carolina last season has zero to do with what we're doing now," Lovie said. As far as the weather, there is a good chance of some snow or sleet but unless the forecast has changed since yesterday it isn't supposed to be especially cold or especially snowy. Besides, "Bear weather" is a myth. There haven't been many home games in nasty weather the past few years, with all the mild winters, and the Bears have not played well in those. Their record in the last 8 home games when the temperature at game time was below 32 is 2-6. I don't expect the weather to be much of a factor at all.

In a weekend of intriguing matchups, the best may be the last one. Maybe I'm giving the Patriots credit they no longer quite deserve, and it's hard to argue with how well the Chargers have played all season, but I have a hunch the Pats are going to win this one. Brady is a peerless big game quarterback -- 11-1 in playoff games, that's not too bad -- and Belichick always seems to come up with a few surprises. (Off topic, here's a surprise you could come up with, Bill -- stop dressing like a bum on the sidelines! He looks like a guy out shoveling his sidewalk after a blizzard). I think they can shake Philip Rivers up pretty good. With all the talk about Rex Grossman the poor play of Rivers down the stretch has flown a bit below the radar. I'm picking the Pats and hoping I'm wrong.