It was an emotionally charged four games at the Fireman Mike residence last weekend. After a tough 0-2 Saturday I bounced back with a 2-0 Sunday to pull even record wise and owe the juice. No big deal.

My record now stands at 58-48-2 overall with seven games to go. For thos eof you who have been following me, I’m thinking about moving on to the hoops season and giving a daily free pick. Let me know your feelings on that. Here we go!……..-Fireman Mike

Arizona +7 @ New Orleans

This could be one of the highest scoring games in playoff history with the two prolific offenses that are taking the field on Saturday. But both of these defenses have too much pride to allow all the scoring to be done offensively, so look for a few touchdowns to come on defensive touchdowns and big special teams plays.

Kurt Warner will keep this game close enough that the cover will never be in doubt. The Cardinals get Anquan Boldin back on the outside to help the offense, not like they need it. Steve Breaston and Early Doucette stepped up last week but Arizona hopes they get a lot more from running backs Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower in New Orleans.

Drew Brees and the Saints are going to score their points but Arizona’s defense will do a better job containing it than they did against Green Bay. The key will be limiting big plays late in the game. Although it’s easier said than done but the Cardinals have the horses to keep this game close.

Arizona keeps it close but is unable to pull it out as the Saints win 37-34 in an offensive-minded battle.

Ravens+6 @ Indianapolis

Baltimore comes into this game against the Colts on the high from dominating one of the best teams in over the last decade of the NFL with their performance in New England.

Even over their own decade of dominance the Colts have never been the team to consistently win games by three touchdowns, running away. They play close, hard-nosed football that results in victory but doesn’t necessarily translate into big leads. This will be the case tonight.

With the Ravens attempting to run the ball and control the clock this game will be slow paced and to the Ravens liking. But remember, the Colts don’t need a big time of possession differential in order to win the football game, as evident in their midseason Monday Night victory over the Dolphins. Joe Flacco will have to be more involved in this game and Derrick Mason and Co. will have to do their share of playmaking.

Peyton Manning and his veteran receivers aren’t going to be the question with their time off but young players like Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon will need to be as effective as ever against the punishing Baltimore defense.

Ray Lewis and Friends come into town looking for blood. The draw it at first but realize they are in for a 60-minute dogfight. Still, Baltimore pulls it off on the road, 24-23, and moves onto the AFC Championship game in dramatic fashion.

Minnesota -1.5 vs. Dallas

The Vikings have worked hard all season in order to get their week off last weekend and I think it will make a world of difference in terms of energy, scouting reports and just freshness in general.

The Cowboys have been playing exceptionally well and it will be interesting to see if Tony Romo will be satisfied with simply winning a playoff game or if he and the rest of the much-maligned Dallas organization will use last week’s victory as motivation to catapult them into the next level.

Vikes RB Adrian Peterson will be the key to keeping the ball out of Romo’s hands and Roy Williams’ hands will be the focal point of the Dallas media if he doesn’t clutch onto the passes he’s supposed to rein in.

The Vikings make bigger plays defensively and the Williams Bros. make the Cowboys run game a non threat in a 31-27 Minnesota victory.

NY Jets +7 @ San Diego

The Jets are playing with house money right now and this team has so much swagger on and off the field that you would think they are the seven point favorites heading into the weekend.

Darrelle Revis is the definition of a ‘lockdown corner’ and has taken on the best of the best throughout the season, only to have them tip their cap at the end of the day and become a another stranded victim on Revis Island. With the pressure brought up the middle by the Jets front seven, we should see some exciting one-on-one battles between Revis and rising star WR Vincent Jackson.

The Jets will control the clock with a strong running game using Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene to open things up for rookie QB Mark Sanchez, who has shown the ability to stay within himself and deliver the ball to open receivers off play action.

The Jets keep this a low scoring, defensive oriented showdown but San Diego escapes with the victory, 20-16, to set up a showdown with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game.