Sunday’s upset double feature saw the New York Giants (+7.5) roll with the punches, just like San Diego in the AFC Divisionals, and eliminate the Dallas Cowboys 21-17. Dallas outgained New York 336 yards to 230, but only made it into the red zone once in the second half.

This game was in sharp contrast to Saturday’s tilt between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. The Packers were the only favorites to cash in this week, and they cashed in big-time with a 42-20 beatdown in the snow. Seattle scored two quick touchdowns off Ryan Grant fumbles, but Grant responded with 201 yards rushing and three TDs.

New York’s secondary took a hit Sunday when CB Aaron Ross came out of the game with a sprained shoulder. Sam Madison and Kevin Dockery were already out at that position; Green Bay appears to be healthy and could capitalize if New York doesn’t get well soon.

Something tells me Seahawks kicker Josh Brown won’t be going all ‘haute couture’ on us this Saturday when he dons his hot pants at Lambeau Field in freezing cold Green Bay.

I’m ready for the NFL playoffs… Are you? Beer chilling in the fridge? Check. Nachos covered on the counter? Check. Friends and family know not to call until AFTER the game? Check. I have some pretty big plans for the weekend and I’ve made some equally big predictions…

The Dallas Cowboys are going to beat the New York Giants by at least 3 points.

How do I know this? I don’t. At this point in the game no one can know for sure who will win this matchup, but common sense tells you to put your money on the better team. I’ll give Eli Manning all the credit in the world for playing some killer ball [over the last week, anyway], but we’re talking about Tony Romo, Terrell Owens…home field advantage. (Let’s not talk about how Jessica Simpson might show up to cheer on her boyfriend and jinx the Cowboys. If Simpson held that much power over any guy she’d still be married or her singing/acting career might be in better shape.)

Kickoff time: Sunday, Jan. 13th at 4:30 p.m. EST on FOX

The Seattle Seahawks are going to be HOT against the Green Bay Packers

Well, make that Seattle Seahawks kicker Josh Brown is going to be hot against the Packers. Seems Brown has agreed to go with battery-operated heated warm-up pants when he suits up for the game on Saturday at Lambeau Field. (Coach Mike Holmgren is rumored to be wearing a heated jacket tomorrow, too.) When asked why he wants to wear these so-called “hot pants”, Brown said kickers, who spend most of the game on the sideline, have to work harder to stay loose in cold weather by walking around, practicing kicks or using heaters.

Kickoff-time: Sunday, Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. EST on CBS

Here’s a great interview with the makers of Josh Brown’s hot pants.

I’ve read some crazy predictions out there – apparently, some people think the New England Patriots (-13) are going to lose this Saturday night when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hey, it could happen. You almost have to apply quantum physics to come to that conclusion, though.

Why would anyone predict something like that? Perhaps to stir up controversy, to collect as many incredulous eyeballs as possible? I suppose cold, rational thinking is out of style these days. You could make a much more compelling case that the Jags will cash in, but I’ll take the Pats –13 based on their proven talent level and the advantage of the bye week.

I’ll also go chalk on the Colts (-9) over San Diego, which I feel much more comfortable doing. What’ll happen when the Patriots and Colts meet in the AFC final? I expect Indy to be undervalued and to beat the spread, if not win outright.

It’s beginning to look a lot like 2008. After careful consideration and consulting the oracle, I’ve decided these will be the 10 best sports wagers (both teams and single events) in the New Year.

Indianapolis Colts (9-2) to win the Super Bowl: Fading the Pats is fashionable.

San Antonio Spurs (3-1) to win NBA title: Fading the Celtics will be, too.

Toronto Raptors: Still ignored and undervalued against the spread.

Drake Bulldogs, NCAAB: Already 7-0 ATS and far better than expected.

Chelsea (6-1) to win English Premiership: Just six points back of Arsenal.

Germany (8-13) to win Euro 2008 Group B: Croatia is their best opponent.

Rafael Nadal (6-1) to win Australian Open: Will pass Federer soon.

Ottawa Senators (2-1) to win Eastern Conference: Great team, shaky conference.

Phil Mickelson (10-1) to win 2008 U.S. Masters: Great odds for 2004, 2006 champ.

Frank Mir (+145) over Brock Lesnar at UFC 81: Classic anti-public pick.

The wild-card round was added to the NFL playoffs 30 years ago. Of those, 9 have gone on to the Super Bowl and five have won the Super Bowl. Interestingly, eight of the nine, including all five champions, were AFC teams. Four of the last 10 Super Bowl winners (Denver, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Indy) were AFC teams that had to go the extra round. And in 29 years only one NFC team has gone to the Super Bowl as a wild-card (Carolina)…and they lost.

There are two wild cards for each conference. I wouldn’t count on any of this year’s wild cards to beat the likes of the New England Patriots or the Dallas Cowboys. Although not a wild card, the Seattle Seahawks could surprise everyone. They’ve won five in a row and came oh-so-close to beating the Bears in the playoffs last year.