Just wanted to share a few thoughts I had about this weekend's NFL matchups and the league in general.

It's January so it must be time to ponder if Brett Favre will return next year. Personally, I hope he does just so the last memories we fans have of him are throwing tight spirals to closely covered receivers rather than throwing wobbly ducks into the waiting arms of defensive lineman, but that's just me.

While I am a big fan of Favre because I'm a Packer fan and I remember the David Whitehurst and Randy Wright eras, I'm not one of those fanatical Favre followers who is blind to his shortcomings (locking onto one receiver, forcing the issue instead of simply throwing it away, and perhaps most discouraging, his inability to co-exist with fellow players in the locker room much like Barry Bonds) and only focusses on the Hall of Fame abilities (cannon arm, never-say-die attitude no matter the score and good ole boy personality) he used to display with regularity.

Because of his God-like status in Wisconsin and with much of the American media, Favre has been given a free pass for much of his career, but I do enjoy the fact that people are now starting to see the many flaws that have been hushed in the past. For those of us who have followed his career closely, the recent remarks made by his Jets teammates regarding the special treatment he received and how he couldn't or wouldn't interact with teammates was nothing new. Favre has been doing those same things for many years now but his former teammates in Green Bay would never share the information because they'd be run out of town faster than well, Favre was after last season's bumbled renegotiations. Favre's shortcomings were treated in Green Bay much like a boys weekend in Vegas or a night out at the Fight Club and that's because the man was bigger than the franchise for a while there and nobody wanted to risk upsetting the franchise.

So while I'm still a big fan of the man from Mississippi, I enjoy the fact the truth about him is now becoming common knowledge because let's be honest, nobody and I mean nobody, is as perfect as the media would've had you believe.

In other NFL news, looks like LaDainian Tomlinson's injured groin will keep him from playing against the Steelers. I'm guessing many Pittsburgh fans out there are confused by their thoughts of sadness regarding his injury status. For years, opposing defenses have prayed LT would get dinged up and miss their matchup, nowadays, they'd likely rather face the shell-of-his-former-self LT than they would an emrging superstar in Darren Sproles.
Prediction: Steelers 23-17

Common sense makes me want to go with the Titans this week against the Ravens because rookie QBs usually struggle in the playoffs (see Matt Ryan last week), but my gut tells me Joe Flacco and the Ravens will pull the upset. As long as Flacco doesn't get carried away and try to single-handedly win the game, I think the Ravens defense will have no problem shutting down the offensively challenged, one-dimensional Titans.
Prediction: Baltimore 26, Tennessee 16

The Eagles late-season surge has many believing they're peaking at the right time but the Philly offense has trouble sustaining drives and managing the clock and that will play right into the hand's of the Giants. Just remember, just because they haven't played in a while doesn't mean they aren't the same team that many regarded as the best team in the league all season long.
Prediction: NY 27, Philly 24

If Anquan Boldin was healthy I would have no problem taking the Cards in an upset special but it appears the Pro Bowl receiver could miss this week's matchup and that's a major cause for concern in Arizona. I'm not sold on Jake Delhomme and the Panthers passing game but I think home field and the Panthers 1-2 punch of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will be enough to hold off Kurt Warner and Arizona.
Prediction: Carolina 27-21