Note from Tom: Joseph and I made a deal when we started blogging for 23/6: I would indulge him his rarefied art, food, and Hello Kitty references and he would agree to write about sports. The following is our first attempt at this.

AFC

Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers

Tom: The Steelers are not playing their best ball as of late, and the loss of Willie Parker could be an enormous blow to their hopes for making a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, many are holding up the Jags (who did everything this year but overtake the reigning Super Bowl champs in the brutal AFC South) as the last best hope for stopping New England. The Jaguars beat the Steelers by a touchdown in week 15. Look for a repeat.
Prediction: Jaguars 35, Steelers 28

Joseph: Ever since the introduction of the S-Type, I've fallen in love with Jaguars again. With '60s styling and a sporty feel, it'd make a fitting coach for Mrs. Emma Peel. They look particularly smart in liquid silver with charcoal and walnut interior. Now, if their automobiles are this inspiring, I have to believe their footballers are also top drawer. The Steelers I'm assuming are painfully working class and while the sport does seem to favor ruffians, I think agile maneuvering will offer a slight advantage.
Prediction: Jaguars 28, Steelers 25

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers

Tom: The Titans limped into the playoffs with an unspectacular 16-10 victory over a mostly Manning-less Colts team Sunday night that was just looking to get off the field. But what will most concern Titans fans this week is that Vince Young limped away. Needless to say, there won't be many more Jim Sorgis to kick around the rest of the way for Tennessee. They face a much tougher test this week in the resurgent Chargers, who have recovered convincingly from an early-season slump. With LaDainian Tomlinson finally putting up gaudy fantasy stats like the LT of old, the Titans hardly stand a chance.
Prediction: Chargers 31, Titans 16

Joseph: I really don't know all that much about the San Diego Chargers, but I do have friends who built a sprawling Spanish-colonial in La Jolla. The views are amazing and the lifestyle rather idyllic. Having spent a lot of time there, I can't see anyone from the area being all that good at football. I'm going to side with the hillbillies on this one.
Prediction: Titans 21, Chargers 17

NFC

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks

Tom: As the cliché goes, it's not who you play but when you play them. It's safe to say few teams want to play the Redskins right now. They may be the hottest team in football, having pounded Dallas to secure their playoff spot in a rivalry game that probably meant more to the losers than they'd ever let on. If they win this weekend, another date with the Cowboys awaits, and all bets will be off for the top-seeded NFC East champs. On the other hand, Mike Holmgren's Seahawks are a battle-tested group with loads of playoff experience. Bet on Cinderella this time.
Prediction: Redskins 27, Seahawks 24

Joseph: Okay, I'm already so bored doing this. I don't even understand how people sit through an entire game of football. And this is coming from someone who watches curling. Plus, I'm the gay one and Tom is using Cinderella references? So, just to be contrarian...
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Redskins 24

New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom: The Giants played with passion in a meaningless (for them) game Saturday night while trying to stop the Patriots' march toward history. They came up short but gained respect. The question is, will that inspired play carry over into this weekend? After surprising everyone with an early-season surge, the Bucs have played inconsistently of late, and the last time they faced a playoff team was November 25 against Washington. They lost.
Prediction: Giants 28, Bucs 10

Joseph: Technically, I know Tampa Bay exists, but I didn't really think people lived there and I certainly had no idea they had their own football team. Now, I realize the whole pirate thing is really "in" right now, but let's be honest, their logo is so cheesy. I'm sure they're all fine chaps, but in this case, I gotta say, "Darlin' I love ya, but give me Park Avenue."
Prediction: Giants 21, Buccaneers 13