As for Chargers, nope. They missed in 2005. And even if they’d made it, Drew Brees was their starter that year. Rivers didn’t start until 2006 (after they let Brees go following the 2005 non-playoff season).

On Rivers, naturally he’ll be forever linked to Eli - given the trade. Interesting that Rivers and Eli both won their first playoff game in the same year. As noted, Eli’s made the playoffs the past three seasons - but Rivers only the past two. And the other #1 pick at QB in that draft, Big Ben, has also made the playoffs three times (recall in his rookie year, he took over for Tommy Maddox after three games and the Steelers went 15-1) although not the past three seasons - course, Big Ben already has a SB ring (as undeserved as it is in his particular case).

Second, I guess the basis for my Titans pick was (a) abject stupidity, combined with (b) a continuing and growing dislike for the Chargers. Norv Turner is an awful head coach, but that doesn’t make him a bad guy. Its not about him, its about the players. Phillip Rivers is a pouty moron, and their entire defense reminds me too much of former Patriot #1 draft choice, Chris Canty (I know Jakes will take that reference, not sure about everyone else). The primp and preen every time they make a damn tackle, and it’s really annoying. I guess I was hoping they’d be embarassed in the playoffs *again* - and I think we can all agree, if they somehow lost to this Titan team, at home, it would’ve been beyond embarassing. I’m sure they would’ve come up with excuses, they usually do - but no mind… the Colts will destroy them next week. And yes, I’ll pounder that with anyone as well.

In the regular season game between the Titans and Chargers, Merriman is blocked well on a play and automatically blames Coach Fischer of putting a hit out on him. Whatever. Merriman was still probably suffering the concusive effects of the devastating block that Jones-Drew put on him weeks earlier. Jones-Drew hit Merriman harder than Merriman has hit any RB this year, and somehow, Jones-Drew did not feel the need to launch into a Broadway number on the field after the play.

Merriman and his band of merry men will be rendered defenseless by Peyton and (depleted) crew this coming weekend, and I’m going to enjoy every freakin’ second of it.

All that said, my plan of picking against Hank Goldberg is not without merit - and my concern is that he’ll pick both the Pats and Colts to cover next week… meaning at *least* one of them won’t, thereby costing me Pounders. Oh well… if I’m lucky, and Hank stays true to putrid form, he’ll pick both dogs in the AFC games - and I’ll be virtually guaranteed victory.

One last thought: As often as I’m able next season, I’m going to post Hank’s picks on OGS… and then post my own on those same games. If I end the regular season with a worse record than that clown Goldberg, then I will do a penalty shot for each game that I’m worse than him at the ensuing Mecca. Not cuz I have to… just cuz I should - *if* I can’t do better than “The Hammer”.

Actually, one more last thought: For the NFC games next weekend, right now blind, I’ll Pounder against Goldberg’s picks in each game. No idea who he’ll pick - but I’ll take the opposite in each of the NFC games, and if someone wants my action, be heard.

How on earth do you pick the Titans. First of all, they’re horrible. Before all the injuries you mentioned. Second of all…they’re horrible.

The Chargers are terrible too. Philip Rivers is a joke. I can’t believe they are the three seed. What a gift for Indy.

BTW, I am also taking the Bucs (even though they are down 10 in the 3rd Q)… Manning is about to single handedly lose this game