Pick Your Poison

Regardless of what happens next weekend against the Giants, one thing is certain for the New England Patriots. On the weekend of January 6th they will host an AFC Divisional playoff game. Then it won't matter if the Patriots finish 16-0 or 15-1. They will have to win or their historic season will end in unequivical disappointment. As to who the Patriots will play in the first weekend, it's still up in the air. The two most likely candidates are:

San Diego Chargers - they've been on a roll as of late but I still believe they contain enough fatal flaws (internal dissention, shaky quarterback) that the Patriots could put enough points up to beat them for a third straight time. They are defintely a better team than when they got blown out in Foxboro last September but it seems like it takes a whole lot of what the Chargers don't have to pull off a major upset in the playoffs... heart.

Jacksonville Jaguars - has anyone else heard that the Jags are 'built for cold weather'? What does that mean exactly? They come equipped with snow shoes? They are incapable of feeling cold? They have internal insulation? I don't get it. Sure, they've got a big tough defense and a scary running game but Bill Belichick is best at taking away a teams strength. So, if the Pats shut down the Jags running game, is David Garrard capapable of putting up enough points to keep pace with the Pats at home in a playoff game? I'd bet on no. Let's remember this is the same Jags defense that Drew Brees lit up for over 400 yards. Absolutely if the Jags bring their "A" game and the Pats run defense looks like it did against Baltimore they could pull of the upset. But I don't see that happening.