NFL picks (if season ended right now)

Since everyone's talking about my BCS college football picks, I'm going to go ahead and deliver NFL playoff predictions as well. These are based on if the season ended today. Mad ups to the CBS people for actually doing the legwork so I can deliver my witty banter. Let's get it on:

First round

Byes
1-Titans
2-Steelers

3-Jets
6-Patriots

Uh, will Tom Brady be back? Who am I kidding, he might not be back for the start of '09. Then again, Saint Favre/brats/cheese curds hasn't really been lighting it up with the Jets. They've been winning, in Packers fashion from last season -- with Favre-ruh playing ball control. Screw it, I'm going Pats. They'd find a way.
Patriots 20, Jets 16

4-Broncos
5-Ravens

It's gunslinger Jay Cutler vs. Ray Lewis' killer defense. Aside from that late rally against the awful Browns (and their shitty CB that couldn't cover a retard), the Broncos have been on the downswing. The Ravens wouldn't be putting up a lot of points, but they wouldn't need 'em.
Ravens 16, Broncos 13

Byes
1-Giants
2-Panthers

3-Cardinals
6-Redskins

The 'Skins can and usually will grind it out with anyone (Steelers not included), and the Cards are the default winner of an awful division. The Cards are a nice story and all with a stout offense, but the 'Skins would grind this one out.
Redskins 23, Cardinals 19

4-Bears
5-Buccaneers

Sorry, but why is Rex Grossman still alive. I don't care if he was a Super Bowl (losing) QB. If Kyle Orton is in there, the Bears have a chance. If not, a rookie RB and a crop of crap WRs aren't gonna get it done. Either way, it'll be tough to get much vs. the Bucs. The Bucs, with the emergence of Antonio Bryant, just have more firepower.
Bucs 17, Bears 10

Conference semis (re-seeding)

Pats vs. Titans
Still not convinced the Titans are that good. They're winning ugly, which is all you really need to do. But that catches up to you in the playoffs. At least against a playoff-tested team.
Pats 22, Titans 13

Ravens vs. Steelers
The Steelers dominated the 'Skins despite losing Big Ben. That's how good they are. If they can do that against the 'Skins, they can find a way to win against a rookie QB.
Steelers 17, Ravens 7

Redskins vs. Giants
NFC East battle in the 2nd round. This would be a good ol' fashioned slobberknocker. Actually not really. Eli and the Giants have too many weapons. I mean, Plax has been nonexistent this season and they haven't missed him. Their running game alone wears teams down, and wuss Eli Manning just has to complete a couple passes. Done.
Giants 27, Redskins 13

Bucs vs. Panthers
Another interdivisional contest. What the hell is going on here? Well, I'll tell you what's going on: a Panthers beatdown. They're playing some of their best ball with Steve Smith back on his game and the two-headed attack of Jonathan Stewart/DeAngelo Williams.
Panthers 30, Bucs 21

Conference title games

Pats vs. Steelers
The Pats can't make it to the Super Bowl without Brady. Just not gonna happen. They'd be lucky to get this far with Matt Cassel. This is where it ends. Caveat: Big Ben has to be healthy. Byron Leftwich isn't getting them this far.
Steelers 17, Pats 14

Panthers vs. Giants
Trying to think of a good reason the Panthers will knock off the Giants here. Let's just say Eli will throw three picks and Steve Smith breaks a couple of big plays. Yeah, I like how that sounds.
Panthers 26, Giants 17

Super Bowl

Panthers vs. Steelers
The Panthers' run ends here and Big Ben gets his second title. At least in my fantasy world. If these two do play it'll probably be a boring Super Bowl. And we'll get lots of Jerome Bettis thrown at us. Enjoy.
Steelers 23, Panthers 9