hashtags: #2010 #elite_eight #nfl #playoffs

NFL 2010 Elite Eight Playoff Picks

You can make a reasonable argument for all four road teams this weekend. That is pretty remarkable.

Since Arizona and New Orleans are both all offense and no defense, this is a classic "last team that has the ball wins" game. That could easily be Arizona.

The other three road teams are all built like tradional playoff winners. They run and play physical defense. That usually leads to close games, and then anything can happen since the Ravens, Jets and Cowboys excel at forcing turnovers.

Arizona over NEW ORLEANS

The Saints have not played a solid game since trouncing New England. That was a long time ago.

And every time you bet against Kurt Warner, God kills a kitten. I can't pick the Saints.

SAN DIEGO over New York Jets

This was a tough one. The Jets are an amazing story and they play hard for Rex. (He should be Coach of the Year. Mangini and Favre left them in shambles.) And as I noted earlier, they run and play insane defense. That wins games in the playoffs.

However, SD just has a lot more talent, and they can probably force Sanchez into some rookie mistakes. The Jets run ends here but next year they will be very dangerous.

Baltimore over INDY

OK, maybe this is just wishful thinking because the Colts represent everything I hate about the NFL. All offense, boring defense, soft players, and resting guys when you should be making them into killers begging to eat their own guts and ask for seconds.

Indy has lost their first playoff game each of the last two seasons, and I think the trend will continue. They just are not the same defense without Bob `Weak Bones` Sanders. Dwight Freeney can spin all day as Ray Rice runs past him.

Dallas over MINNESOTA

And not just because I wish Brett Favre would die in a fire. I have other reasons too.

For the millionth time, to win the Super Bowl you need to run and force turnovers. Both teams can run. Both teams have loaded defenses. But turnovers are a lot easier to come by if you are Dallas.

The new Tony Romo, the one that actually wins in December and January, does not turn the ball over. On the other side, as great as Adrian Peterson is, he is among the worst fumblers in NFL history. And never in my life have I seen a QB throw the ball up for grabs as often as Brett Favre. Turnovers are going to kill whatever hopes the Vikings had for victory.