The second most important set of picks I will make for this weekend

In case anyone cares, here are my picks for this weekend's (NFL) divisional playoff games:

Arizona @ Carolina
My pick: Carolina
Why? Carolina's numbers show they should dominate and what worked last week for the Cards against Atlanta won't prove as successful against the Panthers.

Philly @ New York
My Pick: Philly
Why? Because picking one long shot is a good idea. Because Philly is on fire. Because momentum worked for New York last year. And because no Manning will see the Super Bowl this year.

Baltimore @ Tennessee
My Pick: Tennessee
Why? Although the Titans had a rocky finish to an unexpectedly tremendous season, expect them to win when it counts against the just-above-the-curve Ravens. Also, unless his name is Tom Brady, a rookie QB turns as green as the field in a tough playoff match-up. (And take a second look at this game defensively, because it's much closer than you think.)

San Diego @ Pittsburgh
My Pick: Pittsburgh
Why? With the greatest hesitation of any of my four picks, I'm siding with the strong, consistent season over the meandering one. Expect Pittsburgh to squeak out a win on Philip Rivers turnovers.

How I fared last week: Three for four, with my only mis-pick coming at the hands of He-Who-I-Hate-Most, Peyton Manning. Should've went with my gut (see Philly @ New York, above).