Fyodor's Pro Football Picks of the Week: AFC and NFC Championship Games.

1) The guys who set the lines are professionals. Their job is to make each game look as attractive as possible to everyone. That way they even out the amount of money bet on each side.
Instant translation: The house wins no matter who wins. That's why people get into the gambling business.

2) I am just a fan. I won't even keep track of these picks week to week if it gets too embarrassing.

3) There is no such thing as "inside information". Especially in the pros.

4) If those idiot touts on tv and in the paper were any good, they wouldn't go public with their genius. They'd sit at Harrah's sports book from open to close and then go out and buy $2,000 an hour hookers who dress like high school girls.

5) Gambling is stupid. You cannot win.

That being said, here are my NFL picks for this week.



Sunday 1/22


Pittsburgh (+3.5) at Denver
Despite being on the road for the third playoff week in a row and the possible letdown after the big win in Indy last week, I MUST take the Steelers and the points. Key to the game: Casey Hampton versus the Bronco running attack.
FINAL: Steelers 34 Broncos 17 - Fyodor wins! (Another total team effort for the third road playoff game in as many weeks. The Steelers have defeated the #1, 2, and 3 seeds in the AFC and are the first #6 seed to reach the Super Bowl. I am cautiously optimistic, even though Pittsburgh opened as a 3 point favorite over Seattle.)



Carolina (+3.5) at Seattle
Carolina has been playing well. Seattle has been overlooked all year. Both teams have problems with their running games. Both have good QBs. I'll take Seattle to cover because they are at home.
FINAL: Seahawks 34 Panthers 14 - Fyodor wins! (Hey, whatever happened to The Greatest Wide Receiver Ever to play well against the Bears? Delhomme had a bad game but Carolina's defense was a bigger disappointment. On the other hand, the Panthers only beat the Giants and the Bears to get to the NFC title game.

Anyway, congrats to Coach Holmgren and the Seahawks and their fans. We'll see you in Detroit.)

BTW, did any of you kiddies notice Your Humble Servant was 9 and 1 against the spread in the playoffs?