For the past couple of years, the NFL has dwarfed college football for me. There are just more intriguing players and storylines in the NFL. It’s hard for me to get jazzed up about the myriad BCS implications of a Troy / Wichita State Thursday night game, but I have no problem watching any NFL game. I know I’m in the minority on this, at least locally. Of course, Tennessee’s lousy showing this past season only reinforced this.

But every year, one of the things I love to do is make my NFL playoff picks with Sunny. She knows sports, probably baseball more so than football, but she always holds her own when we do this. Each Friday in January, we’ll make our predictions for the upcoming weekend’s slate of games. This year, we’ve added a new wrinkle. When we were talking about making our “football picks”, Joshua came running in from the playroom and said, “I want to make football picks!” So, just like American Idol, we’ve added yet another critic to the booth. And he has his own opinions on who he thinks will win as evidenced by the fact that he took the opposite team from me in every matchup. I thought I had a few more years before the “Dad doesn’t know anything” attitude surfaced!

Without further adieu, here are our picks for Round 1.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals
Ordinarily I don’t like road teams to do well in the playoffs. But this year is kind of an anomaly. The Falcons could’ve very easily been the #2 seed in the NFC; as it is, they’ll travel west to face an upstart Cardinals squad. Kurt Warner has been a nice story this year, but this is a team that just two weeks ago lost to New England by 40. Atlanta is clearly the better team. But it looks like I’m the only Bybee who sees it that way. I’m pretty sure Joshua’s choice was biased by his devotion to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
Sunny’s pick: Cardinals
Joshua’s pick: Cardinals
Jason’s pick: Falcons

Indianapolis Colts vs. San Diego Chargers
For all you BCS-haters who are convinced that a playoff will solve all that’s wrong the collegiate football’s postseason, I submit to you this matchup: the 12-4 Indianapolis Colts, who haven’t lost a game since Halloween, have to travel to 8-8 San Diego, a team tied for the 17th best record in the league. Even a playoff system has flaws, people. Anyway, the Colts should handle this one pretty easily. In fact, they might be my pick for the Super Bowl. Of course, Joshua has other ideas. We shall see, son.
Sunny’s pick: Colts
Joshua’s pick: Chargers
Jason’s pick: Colts

Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins
I can’t believe I’m about to pick my 3rd road team to win in one weekend, two of whom are helmed by rookie quarterbacks. I feel less secure about this one, but I don’t think this one comes down to quarterback play anyway. What Bill Parcells has done with this Miami team is just incredible; one year removed from a 1-15 nightmare, he has this team in the playoffs as AFC champs. Granted, Tom Brady’s knee and Brett Favre’s bum wing had a lot to do with that, but still. But I love Baltimore’s style of play and as long as Ray Lewis is still playing, that defense will clamp down a less-than-scary ‘Phins offense. I see this being a close one, but I’m going with the Ravens.
Sunny’s pick: Ravens
Joshua’s pick: Dolphins
Jason’s pick: Ravens

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings
As much as I personally like Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb, I still can’t believe they made it to this point. I have to pick a home team to win and I like the Vikes chances better than any of the others. AP should be able to dictate the flow of this game. Abby Kate decided to chime in on this game, so I’ve recorded her pick, too. Who knows, maybe next year Jack will get in on the action, too!
Sunny’s pick: Vikings
Joshua’s pick: Eagles
Jason’s pick: Vikings
Abby Kate’s pick: Vikings

It looks like the competition between Sunny and myself will come down to Saturday’s Falcons / Cards game. Of course, Joshua could end up winning the whole thing with his renegade selection style. We’ll see!