Playoffs: Two games, two predictions

Two playoff games Saturday, two playoff predictions.

OK, here we go …

I like Washington at Seattle because Cinderella teams do win in the first week of the playoffs. The Redskins (9-7) come under that category. Quarterback Todd Collins has been unbelievable after going 10 years between starts, and the team is playing for the memory of Sean Taylor.

That alone might be enough for a road victory, but consider this: The Redskins needed wins in their past two games to reach the playoffs and they did just that. So, while this is the playoff opener for Seattle (10-6), it is basically the third week of the playoffs for the Redskins.

Redskins 23, Seahawks 17.


I like Jacksonville at Pittsburgh, but I’m not sure why, other than the fact Jacksonville won there in the snow a few weeks ago, and Pittsburgh is playing without leading rusher Willie Parker.

Ben Roethlisberger will have to beat the Jaguars with his arm, and he might not get the chance if the Jaguars running tandem of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew controls the clock.

It will be a night for defense, but the Jaguars will have just enough offense to advance.

Jaguars 17, Pittsburgh 16.