Predictions from the wrong person

For the next month, weekends may be spent slouching on the couch watching the National Football League playoffs!

I used to get excited about playoff in both Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association. But they aren't the same anymore. They are just too drawn out.

But the NFL? only five weeks, one of which is a rest week in preparation for the Super Bowl, which is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1, in Tampa, Fla.

Eight teams take to the field this weekend.

The Atlanta Falcons travel to Arizona for a 4:30 p.m. game Saturday, before the Indianapolis Colts face San Diego on the road at 8 p.m. Both games are scheduled to be aired on NBC.

On Sunday, Baltimore travels to Miami for a 1 p.m. start, before Philadelphia takes on Minnesota on the road at 4:30 p.m. Sunday's first game is scheduled to appear on CBS while my beloved Vikings will be aired on FOX.

I've never been all that great at predictions. Those of you who remember when I served as Brazil Times Sports Editor should know this.

Every week, there was a contest in the newspaper called "Beat the Sports Editor." I picked game winners and you picked game winners.

I don't think I ever won a single week!

But I'm going to give some more predictions here and I'm challenging anyone to disagree!

Hey, it's all in fun, right?

Atlanta -- a team that no one thought would be above .500 -- will travel to Arizona Saturday and beat the Cardinals.

Sorry Colts' fans, the Chargers are prepped and ready to knock you off.

Through the day of playoff fun, the Falcons and Chargers will advance.

On Sunday, look for the Dolphins and Eagles to advance as well. Yes, that's right, I am picking against my beloved Vikings. It's just I don't believe they have what it takes -- yet -- to travel too far in the playoffs.

The following weekend would pit the Chargers against Tennessee Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (airing on CBS at 4:30 p.m.), while Atlanta would travel to Carolina (on FOX at 8:15 p.m.).

Look for Tennessee and Carolina to win these games.

On Sunday, Jan. 11 (if these predictions are right, mind you), Philadelphia would play on the road against the New York Giants (FOX at 1 p.m.), while San Diego would face Pittsburgh on the road (4:45 p.m., on CBS).

Both home teams will win these games, meaning your NFC Championship would pit Carolina against the Giants in New York and the AFC Championship will be Pittsburgh at Tennessee.

I like the Panthers knocking off the Giants and the Steelers beating the Titans, pitting Carolina against Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl, which will take place on NBC at 6 p.m., Feb. 1.

Carolina will defeat the Steelers for their first championship.

Then comes the most worthless professional game in all of sports. The Pro Bowl is slated for Sunday, Feb. 8, in Honolulu. The game is scheduled to air on NBC at 4:30 p.m., but who really cares?

After the Super Bowl, there really is no reason to watch football again until August.

I am quite aware that I'm probably going to be in the doghouse at home by making these predictions.

Sure, I could have taken the safe route and predicted a Colts-Vikings Super Bowl. But I'm also quite certain that is something I don't really want to see at my home on Feb. 1.

If that happened ... oh, the possibilities.

But I digress.

You've read my picks. Comment me back. Tell me I'm wrong. Challenge me. Give it your best shot. I can't really think of any other cliche.

I've got to get back to work.