MARK CRAIG'S PLAYOFF PICKS

WILD-CARD ROUND

NFC: No. 6 Lions 31, No. 3 Cowboys 24; No. 4 Panthers 24, No. 5 Cardinals 17

AFC: No. 3 Steelers 17, No. 6 Ravens 13; No. 5 Bengals 33, No. 4 Colts 21

• That's right. A 7-8-1 team and a No. 6 seed will advance in the NFC. No one expects the Lions to upset the Cowboys, except Detroit's No. 2-ranked scoring defense and the mountain of pressure sitting on Tony Romo's shoulders.

DIVISIONAL ROUND

NFC: No. 2 Packers 34, No. 4 Panthers 14;

No. 1 Seahawks 28, No. 6 Lions 13

AFC: No. 3 Steelers 23, No. 2 Broncos 20 OT;

No. 1 Patriots 24, No. 5 Bengals 17

• For the second time in three years, it will be an early bye-bye at home for Peyton. Meanwhile, with a week off and home-field advantage, the Packers will punish a Panthers team that doesn't belong this far into the playoffs.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

NFC: No. 2 Packers 31, No. 1 Seahawks 28. AFC: No. 1 Patriots 24, No. 3 Steelers 20

• Everyone assumes Seattle's defense and home-field advantage will prevail. It's never a good idea to assume defeat for Aaron Rodgers.

SUPER BOWL XLIX

Patriots 34, Packers 24

Ten years after Tom Brady and Bill Belichick won their third title, they get their fourth trophy together.