The intrigue of the NFL Playoffs grows with each passing round and new questions arise. Will the New Orleans Saints continue their Cinderella season? Will the Chicago Bears get more than five yards passing?

While looking at the match-ups, it occurred to me we also have some new vs. old scenarios to look at as well.

With that in mind, here's a look at this week's NFL playoff games.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints
First off, the New Orleans Saints, with newly crowned Coach of the Year, Sean Payton, face the Andy Reid led Philadelphia Eagles. The Saints new and improved roster and attitude has them on the verge of their first Super Bowl appearance, while the perennial NFC title game runners up try to keep this winning streak alive.

The Birds squeaked by the New York Giants, like I predicted, so I'm not shocked to see them still battling. However, the run ends here. The Eagles lost stand out corner back Lito Sheppard for this game and that will hurt with Marques Colston, Joe Horn and Devery Henderson running wild. Brian Westbrook has stepped up late this season and will keep the Eagles close, but the Birds defense will have their hands full with rookie speed demon, Reggie Bush.

Unlike the Eagles, the Saints still have another solid back, Deuce McAllister, to keep the front seven on their toes. We will see some points scored, but in the end, the rejuvenation of this franchise and their fans will push them past the veteran Philly squad. Drew Brees will pick on the Eagle's secondary and help the Saints to the NFC Title game. New Orleans 24, Philadelphia 17

New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers
This next match-up has the best team of this era, the New England Patriots, heading into San Diego to face the young, fast, hard hitting San Diego Chargers and their league MVP, LaDanian Tomlinson.

The Pats handled the New York Jets last week and give the Lightning Bolts their toughest test to date, while San Diego has been rolling along on a 10-game winning streak and has few weak spots. Their quarterback, Phillip Rivers, is playing in his first playoff game, so his poise will be a key to the Chargers efficiency on offense.

The Pats are the popular pick this week, but I think the young squad has what it takes to neutralize a less potent version of the Patriots offense. The receiving crew isn't what it used to be, with up and down Reche Caldwell and rookie Chad Jackson. Also, while the Pats have been winning, they have only beaten two teams who have won more than eight games; the Jets and the Bears, so the level of competition is taking a big step up this week.

Look for a tight game most of the way, but L.T. will eventually tire out an older Pats defense and Rivers will keep the mistakes to a minimum. Meanwhile, New England QB Tom Brady will keep his team moving, with a bunch of short passes and a long strike here and there, but it won't be enough to keep up with a team who is destined to move on to the AFC Title game. San Diego 27, New England 17

Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears
The next and perhaps most boring game of the weekend has the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks heading into Chicago to face a Bears team, which keeps winning despite having the worst passing game anyone has seen in a long time. I'll keep this one short and sweet…

The Bears defense has been bailing them out all year long, and the same will ring true for this game. Especially since the Seahawks offense barely moved the ball on a weakening Dallas defense at home last week. The Bears will pull away in the second half behind their running game and a Devin Hester punt return, and head into a home NFC Title game appearance. Chicago 28, Seattle 13

Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens
This is the only match-up of the week in which both teams are filled with playoff-tested veterans, as the Indianapolis Colts will be heading into Baltimore to face the tough Ravens and their Super Bowl hungry leader, Steve McNair.

In my eyes, this game has the potential to be the defining game in Peyton Manning's career. He has been so shaky in the later rounds of the playoffs and even with one of the most talented offenses of the past 15 years; a Super Bowl appearance has eluded him. If he manages to go into Baltimore and beat the Ravens defense and charge into the AFC title game, he will begin to erase the memories of previous playoff debacles.

However, I don't see that happening because Mr. McNair has been replaying the final play of his lone Super Bowl appearance in his head for years now. One yard short, one yard short. He can see Kevin Dyson diving for the end zone against the St. Louis Rams and landing on the one-yard line as time expired. That heartbreak, along with the best defense he has played with to date, will push the Ravens into the AFC Title game. Manning and Marvin Harrison will beat the Ravens defense once, but rookie, Joseph Addai won't find any running room against the Ravens front seven. Baltimore 21, Indianapolis 13

Those predictions will set up the following match-ups for the Conference Title games.

* New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears

* Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

Last week I went 4-0 against the spread with my picks and 3-1 picking the straight up winners, so we'll see if the trend continues.

This time of year is also bitter sweet for me, because we get more excited by the week to see who will reign supreme and win it all. However, at the same time, it also is bringing us closer to the end of the best time of the sports year. And, it doesn't help that my Miami Dolphins laid an egg this season and have no part in the post season. Bill Cowher, come and save us!

Until next week, Happy Playoffs!