Divisional Championships

I'm going to keep this short - not because I'm so sure about my picks, but because I have the pleasure of being in South Beach this weekend. I will be watching the games outdoors, by the beach, frozen drink in hand at the Clevelander.

Packers vs. Seahawks
The Seahawks can't be stopped right now. Kam Chancellor? Richard Sherman? The entire Seattle defense looked unreal last weekend. With Marshawn Lynch running the ball on the offensive side, how can they not go all the way? This will definitely be a great game, but the Seahawks will edge out the Pack.

Colts vs. Patriots
I'm going with the Patriots on this one. The Colts are hot, but New England is going to be too much to handle. Their offense is going to be too much for the Colts secondary.

Bourbon Shortbread Cookies with Mint Julep Glaze

The Broncos are out. If you say you called that this early on, I'm calling you out. Peyton hasn't looked his best this season, but it was almost merciless to have the future hall-of-famer go out to his former team - yet, somehow fitting at the same time.  If this is the end of Peyton's run, it's almost symbolic that it is initiated by a loss the Colts as if he were giving way to Luck.

In college football news, Urban Meyer won his fourth national championship, makingThe Buckeyes of The Ohio State University the first national champions of the CFP era. Though the Ducks and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota drew first blood, it was pretty much all downhill from there. Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliott did not look like sophomores - and definitely not a third-string QB in the case of Jones - as the Buckeyes scored 42 points against an Oregon defense that looked lost.

Now, for the reason we're here: Whiskey Wednesday. This week, I'm posting one of my easiest, go-to whiskey treat recipes: bourbon shortbread cookies with a mint julep glaze. Made these for my coworkers and they could not believe they weren't home-made.

Ingredients
(makes about 30 cookies depending on how generous you are)

For the cookies:
The wets:
3 sticks unsalted room-temp butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
3 tbsp bourbon, and more for drinking (I used Bulleit Bourbon because I believe in cooking with what you would drink)

The dries:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

For the icing:
15 large mint leaves (I like it really minty)
1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar
3 tbsp bourbon, and more for drinking


In a medium bowl, sift together your wets. In a large(r) bowl, mix your butter and sugars together. Once they're completely combined, add in the vanilla extract and bourbon. Take a shot of the bourbon. Pour in the flour and salt mixture little by little, making sure your incorporating it thoroughly every time. Take another shot. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours - this helps keep the shape of the cookies since the butter is warm.  Throw it in without refrigerating and your cookie will melt right quick. Make an old fashioned - you have a bit to sober up.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Form your cookie. *Tip* I formed them in the shape I wanted them to be as the ball technique doesn't work with these chilled babies. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

While the cookies are baking, make your mint julep icing. Finely dice your mint leaves. Take a shot - see what I did there? Made sure you didn't take the shot before using a knife. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and you have your icing.

Take the cookies out the cookies and let them cool. Take a shot. Ice them when they're ready and enjoy! Let's be real though, you won't really know how delicious they are at this point.

Divisional Playoffs

Now, the playoffs really start. Though less competitive than last year, we're still in for some good football this weekend.

Ravens vs. Patriots

The Ravens took care of business against the Steelers, but that was last week and this is the New England Patriots coming off a bye week playing in the postseason in Foxborough. The Ravens secondary will have to step up against Tom Brady and the Patriots' rushing offense if they want to have a shot. New England's rushing D will also force Flacco to turn to his passing game.  I see a determined Patriots squad and a post-Super Bowl Flacco showing up Saturday.

Panthers vs. Seahawks
Do I even have to say anything? Top defense in the League. Legion of Boom. Beast Mode. Sherman. Moving on.


Cowboys vs. Packers

This really comes down to Rodgers and his injury. If Rodgers is limited, Dallas' defense will be able to hold off the Pack enough for a win. However, with the weather conditions near arctic levels, Romo will have a hard time getting his offense going. DeMarco Murray's running game is going to suffer undoubtedly so the Cowboys will have to look to Jason Witten and their receivers to score.

Colts vs. Broncos

O, the storylines. The veteran QB against the up-and-coming QB. Peyton against the team where the legend started.  Nothing we haven't heard leading up to their Week 1 matchup. And like all the storylines, the result will also be nothing new. The Colts have improved this season, but, when you look at their schedule, they didn't have any noteworthy wins, still losing to tough opponents. The Broncos are going to be at home and want to go all the way to redeem themselves after last year.

Wild Card Weekend

As a Jets fan, the best part of NFL Playoffs is not worrying about how your team will embarrass themselves this week. Here are my picks:

Cardinals at Panthers

Let's not sugarcoat it - the Panthers are only here because someone from the NFC South had be make it to the Playoffs. That being said, the Cardinals aren't exactly in great shape with their third-string QB Ryan Lindley. This game's not exactly easy to pick as I foresee and ugly one, but Cam Newton should be able to take his team back to the Divisional Playoffs.

Ravens at Steelers

The NFC North showdown. The two teams split their season matchups, winning at their respective homes decisively. Even though the Ravens are away, I think they can come out on top for one big reason: Le'Veon Bell. With Bell out, the Steelers will have to rely on Big Ben's passing game and Antonio Brown to score.  The Ravens' D will come expecting that. Plus, Haloti Ngata will be back and hungry.

Bengals at Colts

Let me preface this by saying Dalton screwed me over in fantasy - I mean so did Brady, but I'll take the blame for drafting a New England Patriot. Regardless, the Colts shut out the Bengals 27-0 earlier this season and nothing's changed to convince me it won't be another Colts win. Cinci will have to focus on their run game with A.J. Green listed as doubtful. The Colts' top-ranked passing offense will also cause problems for the Bengals.

Last but not least
Lions at Cowboys

This really boils down to whether or not the Lions' defense will be able to stop DeMarco Murray, and they will be. Worst case, Ndamukong Suh can just step on someone again - oops, I mean maybe his feet will be numb again. Detroit also has a few more offensive options to work with. If Romo wants to lead Dem Boyz out of the Wild Card round, he'll have to get the ball to Dez, which hasn't happened much this season.  But, who knows, it's not like the Cowboys are known for choking or anything....O, wait.