After a disappointing Week 1 (normally, I'd be happy with 2 out of 4 correct and batting .500 in the playoffs, but I couldn't have been more pissed that both of my first day picks were wrong...), we're back to take another stab at this whole "picking the playoff games based on the spread" thing. In chronological order:

Ravens at Titans (-3)
These two teams have basically the same exact strengths (running game, defense), so it should be a brawl. I stop short of calling it a shootout because it should end up being a low scoring affair, but there's little doubt that the defenses should ultimately decide the course of this game. I give the offensive edge to the Titans (you'd be foolish not to take the tandem of Johnson and White over the trio of McGahee, McClain and Rice) with the one caveat being that the Ravens probably have the better wideouts. The defenses are similar enough that I wouldn't give the definitive edge to either team, but if you were to twist my arm, I'd pick the Ravens. Still, the Titans are the better overall team, and they only lost one game at home.

Titans -3

Cardinals at Panthers (-10)
I believe it was our fearless Commander in Chief, George Bush, who proudly proclaimed, "Fool me once, shame on... shame on you. You fool me, you can't get fooled again." Well, the Cardinals fooled me last week (I picked the Falcons), so ipso facto, they can't fool me again. I still think the Panthers, sporting one of the most prolific running games we've seen in a while, will win the game, but 10 points is way too high a spread in playoff football. Cardinals cover but lose.

Cardinals +10

Eagles at Giants (-4)
In their two regular season matchups, the Eagles and Giants split with the G-Men taking the first contest 36-31 and Iggles winning the second 20-14. In my mind, there are a few things favoring the Eagles in this one, not the least of which being the absence of a healthy (and sane) Plaxico Burress. Even before busting a cap into his own ass (actually, technically his leg), Plax wasn't performing to the lofty standards Giants fans have come to expect. On the other hand, the Eagles have their full assortment of receiving weapons, headed by high-flying rookie DeSean Jackson (big 34 yard reception in Philly's 26-14 win over the Vikes last week). The usual suspects (Westbrook, McNabb, Jacobs, Peyton's little brother) will have a say in this one, but the Eagles will force the Giants to be too one-dimensional and run-centric.

Eagles +4

Chargers at Steelers (-6)
At this point, all the games are hard to pick, but I did have the most trouble with this one by far. The main reason I'm taking the Chargers is because I think they'll actually do better in the running game with Sproles assuming most, if not all, of the duties with LT likely out, and call me crazy, but I never bank on a quarterback that got taken out on a stretcher after suffering a concussion in his previous game. Just a rule of mine. I'd take the Steelers defense over the Chargers any day, but I picked against the Chargers last week and I don't have the ball to do it again.

Chargers +6