By Sonny Palermo

Getting down to crunch time, let's take a look and offer some thoughts on what the weekend might look like . . .

Seattle at Green Bay - I said it somewhere, back in week 15, one of those posts or columns - "It is inevitable: Seattle will end up in Green Bay in the second round. And just as inevitable - they will lose." But for now, nothing but props for Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren (no he's not the "Walrus" today; we cut him slack for one week because they got past Washington.)

Problem is, the props will only be forthcoming for the next four days, because on Saturday he and Hasselback will combine to do what they do best - snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. I think Seattle is the only team in this round with a realistic chance of winning straight up and advancing (and if the weather cooperates I see 20 + from each team). But to do so, Matt is going to have to not make any bad decisions, and Holmgren is going to have to stay aggressive after/if he gets a lead. And neither of those two are likely. Worst thing for Seattle fans is if the Hawks are up by 6 points with under a minute remaining, and GB had the ball. We all know what will happen in that situation - Mike goes from the aggressive D that got him that far, switches to soft zone, and Brett eats him up. (Alternate situation is Hawks up by 6 and they have the ball with under a minute, and Matt throws an INT.)

NY at Dallas - The progression from wanna-be to champion usually requires a stopover at "contender." Last week was as far as The Young Mannings get this season, a step up from post seasons past. This week we get the Eli many thought we'd see last week, the one who throws a critical INT. He'll play differently in a Q4 that shows him behind, than he did last week when ahead. And let's dispel two ridiculous rumours/thoughts, one for each squad:

1) It will be Manning vs. Manning in the Super Bowl!

There will be no Manning vs. Manning mano-y-mano Super Bowl. The only time we will see these two in competition is when they are trying to give each other wet willies in the ESPN hallways. (Archie ‘makes' that spot, with the over his shoulder ‘Dad' look he tosses at them.)

2) Romo will not be focused because of his relationship with Jessica Rabbit.

A guy actually said this to me, that this was part of his ‘capping" on this game. I told him to switch to the coin toss method. Yeah, sure, like this is the first vapid actress/model/bimbo that Tony has shagged.

SD at Indy - The only thing more dangerous than Norv laying 10 points is Norv getting 10 points. Those who trusted him last week were either screwed, or rewarded (albeit with much acid-reflux) depending on what line you got. Point is, the guy looked clueless for the entire first half. They survived, but when they fall behind this week the Colts will lower the hammer on them, and there will be no second half comeback.

Jax at NE - Toss the line, toss the stats. Look at history - it is difficult to win for the road team in round two. It is even more difficult to win if you have to win two straight on the road. To do so against a rested Beli and Brady show, with extra time to prep - impossible. I am glad there were a couple of close games for the Pats at the end of the regular season - it kept this line from being at 17. For the first 14 weeks of the season New England's average margin of victory was 24 points. This one comes closer to that than 13.

Good luck with your play this weekend - and don't get screwed by Norv. Or Eli. Or the Walrus . . .

My play for this weekend is on the Over 41 in the Seattle-Green Bay game.

Have a great weekend.

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