Jeremy: Mike Holmgren hasn’t won a playoff game with the Seahawks. Joe Gibbs has won three Super Bowls. Unfortunately, the coaches don’t play the game, the players do.

The ‘Skins have been a great story. They won a couple of games toward the end of the season to get back in contention, and then actually managed to finish what they started, beating a couple of good teams to win a wild-card berth. Couple that with going into Carolina last week and beating a team many thought might make the Super Bowl, and they seem like a decent pick here.

But you know what? Fuck Mark Brunell. Really. Fuck him in his stupid ass. Sure the line is almost a touchdown and a field goal, but so what? As Matt Hasselbeck said in the playoffs a couple of years ago “We’ll take the ball…and we’re gonna score!” Of course he was wrong, and ended up throwing an interception which was run back for a touchdown ending the game (and the Seahawks playoff run) but that’s not the point. The point is that I don’t think the ‘Skins will win this game.

Or cover.

Pick: Seahawks

Number of USC Trojans on the roster: Redskins 0

Seahawks 1

Pick: Seahawks

Jeremy: The champs are dogs. The champs are dogs? Everyone and their mother thinks the Champs will pull this off. Well, that is, everyone except the “experts” at ESPN and Sports Illustrated and, you know, the Nevada Casinos that set these lines.

Remember falling love with road dogs that you think can win outright? Remember how that’s supposed to be bad? Well, screw it. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I take Jake Plummer in a playoff game, even if he’s at home, and even if he’s got a neck-beard that’d make my friend Chris jealous.

Take the champs.

Pick: Patriots

Number of USC Trojans on the roster: Patriots 2

Broncos 0

Pick: Patriots

Jeremy: The Colts. No way they lose this one, their first “real game” since the Dungy tragedy. Easiest pick of the week.

Pick: Colts

Number of USC Trojans on the roster: Steelers 1

Colts 0

Pick: Steelers

Jeremy: My gut instinct is to go with the Bears here, like everyone else. However, something tells me that the vaunted Bears defense is a little overrated. And while I don’t consider the Pathers Offense to be a juggernaut, I do think they might be able to put up some points in Chicago, cold weather or not.

I guess if you have to go out on a limb, this would be the game to do it. Or not. Okay, the reality is, I have no freakin’ clue, but I really think the Panthers might pull this one out.

Pick: Panthers

Number of USC Trojans on the roster: Panthers 1

Bears 0

Pick: Panthers