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.
