THIS WEEK'S PREDICTIONS: Bucs over Redskins; Panthers over Giants; Patriots over Jaguars; Bengals over Steelers.

NEXT WEEK'S PREDICTIONS: Bucs over Bears; Seahawks over Carolina; Colts over Patriots; Bengals over Broncos.

NFC/AFC CHAMPIONSHIPS: Seahawks over Bucs; Colts over Bengals.

SUPER BOWL: Seahawks.

My prediction before the season was Colts over Seahawks. People laughed at me. At least for the Seahawks. But now it looks like the safest bet. But I'm changing my mind ... Colts have shown weaknesses and Alexander will run all over them.

Still rooting for the Bucs, though.

As a Patriots fan since 1976, of course I want to see the 3-peat! Not an easy task, especially the way this season has gone. New England can do it if any team can. Look at all the situations they have overcome to get within reach of this feat, and then this season the loss of Weiss and Crennel, player injuries, etc. If the defense is back to snuff the Pats can do it.

The best matchup would be New England and Chicago. The Patriots could avenge the first Super Bowl loss while becoming the first team to win 3 straight. It's a long shot, but certainly could happen...

The Seahawks will make it from the NFC and fall to the Colts 38-26 or something like that.

Imagine if the steelers played against the patriots or the browns, how messy would that be?