Who will win, step up and get beat down during the NFL's Championship Weekend....

As always, these fantasy musings do not reflect the opinion of FFToolbox.com, but just a solo fantasy writer with too much time on his hands now that he has stopped licking his wounds after a rough start to the playoff prognosticating. ...and of course, the picks are for informational purposes only...

Also, note that the FFToolbox.com podcast will be back on February 2nd, previewing the Super Bowl and discussing the latest NFL news and rumors as they pertain to the fantasy world. Down the line we will have shows previewing the Super Bowl and breaking down NFL Free Agency, the combine and NFL Draft.

Last week: 1-3 straight, 2-2 spread

Overall (thru Week 14): 175-96 straight; 134-133-4 spread

INDIANAPOLIS 20 NY Jets 13 (+8.5): Based on what the Colts have done this year - undefeated in every game they "tried" to win, 11-5-1 against the spread - it is hard to pick against the, especially at home. Nobody is a better tactical assassin than Peyton Manning and their defense is vastly underrated. And yet...the Jets keep games tight. Their defense will force the Colts into long drives, something Manning does anyway, and the clock will run and run. Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones will do that as well when the Jets are on offense, but the Colts lack of a ground game makes their offense one-dimensional. In the end, the Jets will not have the same overall amount of success they have had the past two weeks as Manning grinds it out with TD passes to Austin Collie and Dallas Clark, Dwight Freeney sacks Mark Sanchez at least once and the Colts survive.

NEW ORLEANS 31 (-3) Minnesota 27: After thinking about siding with the Vikes running game and pass rush earlier this week, the time has come to get on the Saints bandwagon. Yes, Adrian Peterson has his best game in weeks and Jared Allen will harass Drew Brees at times. And yet...the home crowd will make the difference. Brett Favre has avoided the mistakes that have plagued him in the latter stages of his career, but a few more pop up as the noise takes away the split second advantage an offense normally enjoys. Drew Brees and Sean Payton will come up with ways to expose rookie MLB Jasper Brinkley in the passing game, Reggie Bush makes at one jaw-dropping play and Jabari Greer does his best Darrelle Revis impression on Sidney Rice.

*****SUPER BOWL pick

INDIANAPOLIS 31 (-4.5) New Orleans 23: The East Coast snow has been brutal and caused havoc with my world, but not my mind. Colts simply have too much on both sides of the ball compared to the Saints. Unless Reggie Bush or someone else on special teams makes 2-3 big plays, I can't see the Saints coming out on top...

Fun Props: Austin Collie will score...more points in 2H than 1H...Joseph Addai's longest run over 11.5 yards...Peyton Manning to throw a TD in 2Q...shortest TD over 1.5 yards

Who will win, step up and get beat down during the NFL's Divisional Round Weekend....

As always, these fantasy musings do not reflect the opinion of FFToolbox.com, but just a solo fantasy writer with too much time on his hands now that he has stopped licking his wounds after a rough start to the playoff prognosticating. ...and of course, the picks are for informational purposes only...

Also, note that the FFToolbox.com podcast will be back on February 2nd, previewing the Super Bowl and discussing the latest NFL news and rumors as they pertain to the fantasy world. Down the line we will have shows previewing the Super Bowl and breaking down NFL Free Agency, the combine and NFL Draft.

Last week: 0-4 straight, 1-3 spread

Overall (thru Week 14): 174-93 straight; 132-131-4 spread

Arizona 38 (+7) NEW ORLEANS 35: I am nervous about what kind of energy the Cards will have, at least early on, playing on a short week after coming off an emotionally draining win. The latest reports suggest Anquan Boldin is unlikely to play this week, though Steve Breaston and Early Doucet picked .up the slack last week. Plus, you know Drew Brees is licking his chops after watching Aaron Rodgers shred the Cards defense last week. And yet...it is hard to get behind the Saints after the way they stumbled down the stretch. If Brees and company can get their early season mojo back, they will be a tough out for anyone. Still, their defense is equally inept UNLESS the offense starts fast and gives them a lead. The Cards are a Jekyll and Hyde team, but Kurt Warner looks to have the eye of the tiger yet again and their defense will do just enough to help...

Dallas 27 (+3) MINNESOTA 21: Would like to take the Vikes and they have the game breakers to score plenty, especially if Percy Harvin is past his recent migraine headache issues. The home crowd noise should aid Jared Allen and the Vikes pass rush. Brett Favre has certainly played very well this year and the Vikes offense is not the one-dimensional attack the Cowboys faced the last two weeks. And yet...they simply had too many holes exposed down the stretch. The offensive line, considered the best in the game in some circles not long ago, has been having a hard time opening up holes for Adrian Peterson and the ground game and that job will not be made easier this week facing a red hot Cowboys front seven. The secondary has been allowing big chunks in the passing game and CB Antoine Winfield remains limited with his foot injury, something Tony Romo and Miles Austin are sure to take advantage of. Plus, the Felix Jones factor adds an entire other dimension the Cowboys did not have for stretches of the season. The home field makes this a tough one to call, but the Boys are simply playing better right now...

INDIANAPOLIS 28 (-6) Baltimore 17: These teams met earlier this season and the Colts eked out a road win, their seventh straight in the series. Ray Rice racked up 135 total yards in that earlier contest, something he has a great chance to do again this week as he and fellow back Willis McGahee face the Colts 24th ranked rush defense. And yet...their secondary is beat up and unlike Tom Brady last week, Peyton Manning enters the game healthy and with all his weapons. Even if the Ravens take Reggie Wayne out, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie will have open space to work. Also, the Colts defense is often overlooked, but they are playing at high level and should be able to flummox Joe Flacco...

SAN DIEGO 20 NY Jets 14 (+7): Philip Rivers and the Chargers passing game have been unstoppable most of the season and even if Darrelle Revis silences Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd will get theirs. if they get up by two scores, it will be very hard for Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez, who was allowed to throw with comfortable down and distance last week, to overcome And yet...the Jets have the better offensive line and ground game. They have the better overall defense, even if they did give up big yards to Cedric Benson last week. They have more swagger, certainly in the coaching matchup if not across the board. Yes, I am a little concerned I am giving the Jets too much credit because they played last week and the Bolts were off, but I also believe the Sanchez factor will reveal itself in the fourth quarter and the Chargers move on. Gates is the hero in the passing game and Darren Sproles once again comes up large in the postseason, making two big plays, one on special teams...

Who will win, step up and get beat down during the NFL's Wildcard Weekend....

As always, these fantasy musings do not reflect the opinion of FFToolbox.com, but just a solo fantasy writer with too much time on his hands now that he no longer has to worry about trying to get Jim Zorn fired. ...and of course, the picks are for informational purposes only...

Also, note that the FFToolbox.com podcast will be live this week, breaking down the NFL Playoffs and discussing the latest NFL news and rumors as they pertain to the fantasy world. Down the line we will have shows previewing the Super Bowl and breaking down NFL Free Agency, the combine and NFL Draft.

Last week: 13-6 straight, 8-10-1 spread

Overall (thru Week 14): 174-89 straight; 131-128-4 spread

CINCINNATI 17 (-2) NY Jets 13: Both teams want to do the same thing - run the football and play tough defense - but the Jets are executing much better right now. While the Bengals will get Cedric Benson back, the Jets have their own top notch RB in Thomas Jones, who posted career-highs in rush yards and touchdowns and he runs behind arguably the best offensive line in football. The Bengals will get run-stuffing DT Domata Peko back, but the Jets sport top ranked overall defense. The Bengals have the best receiver in this game, but Chad Ochocinco will be blanketed by Jets uber-corner Darrelle Revis. And yet...QB Mark Sanchez starts for the Jets, who seem to be scoring and winning in spite of the rookie passer throwing for less than 155 yards in five of his last six starts. The playoffs are not historically kind to first year QBs and Sanchez has not looked nearly as comfortable in the pocket as Joe Flacco did for the Ravens in a similar spot last season. Carson Palmer is not exactly lighting up the scoreboard, but I prefer the veteran in the postseason, Factor in the emotion from the tragic loss of Chris Henry and the wife of DC Mike Zimmer and the Bengals bounce back at home behind Benson's 7th 100-yard game of the season.

Philadelphia 27 (+4) DALLAS 24: Heading into Week 17, the Eagles were my pick to be the NFC Champ, but they looked nothing like a top notch contender last week against the Cowboys, who used a dominating performance from their defensive front seven and a strong run game to control the game. The loss of Eagles center Jamaal Jackson is magnified against the Cowboys front seven, and the Eagles are mistakenly trying to work Brian Westbrook back into the lineup. And yet...they had their opportunities in the deep passing game last week but the inconsistent/Mr.Hyde version Donovan McNabb showed up. The Eagles, particularly against this Cowboys team with power lines on both sides of the ball, need to play with the lead so McNabb needs to hit big plays, especially early. I say he does, finding Brent Celek, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin for scores in that order. Tony Romo does not lose the game for the Boys, but the Eagles blitz causes problems and the early lead takes a heavy dose of Marion Barber off the table. Plus, according to Ron Jaworski, Andy Reid is 7-0 in first round playoff games. Let the moaning and groaning about the Cowboys franchise begin!

NEW ENGLAND 21 Baltimore 20 (+3): We all know about the loss of Wes Welker, but for at least one week, the Pats will not miss him, much. While the Ravens likely double and at times triple team Randy Moss to help cover up for their leaky secondary, Julian Edelman hauls in 10 passes for 107 yards. While Fred Taylor takes over as the primary ball carrier, Kevin Faulk is the most productive back in this one and even Ben Watson shows a pulse with a couple of grabs. Plus the Pats get their full arsenal of defensive linemen back as they try to remain undefeated at home this season. And yet...the Ravens ground game is clicking and will keep the game close by controlling the clock. Plus, never, ever, never count out a Ray Lewis defense, Sadly for him, the secondary is simply too banged up to stop the Pats when needed and the Bill Belichicks survive and advance.

Green Bay 27 (+1) ARIZONA 20: The NFC has never been more wide open than it is the year and a legitimate case can be made for all six squads to advance to the Super Bowl. Both squads in this game have high-octane passing attacks and playmakers on defense that have shown the ability to step up when called upon. And yet...while the Packers are rolling into the playoffs with a 7-1 stretch, the Cards have been rather pedestrian over the last month, including losing to the Niners and struggling to beat the lowly Lions. Even if we give them a pass for laying down against the Packers last week, it doesn't change the fact that Packers defense and offensive line have been much improved over the second half of the season. Everyone talks about Aaron Rodgers - and rightfully so - but it is the growth in these two areas that has turned the Packers from a 4-4 squad to the hottest team in the conference. Rodgers throws for two scores, Grant breaks a for a long TD and Charles Woodson keeps Larry Fitzgerald in check. Next up, WWIII with Brett Favre on deck...