The front-runner for the Dolphins' head coaching job is reportedly going to St. Louis instead. Reports say former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher had narrowed his choices to the Dolphins and Rams, and after visiting with both teams, it looks like he's decided on St. Louis.

Who could blame him? The Rams have a future franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford, a franchise running back in Steven Jackson, and a defensive player to build around in Chris Long.

The Dolphins can't seem to decide if Jeff Ireland or special consultant and Stephen Ross friend Carl Peterson is calling the shots, they have no starting quarterback, an aging defense, and no franchise players other than Brandon Marshall and Jake Long.

It's the smart choice for Fisher, but it leaves the Dolphins in a quandary.

Miami also reportedly talked to Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, but there is one major knock against Philbin, and it's that he doesn't even call the plays on the sideline. That honor goes to head coach Mike McCarthy, but Philbin has supposedly been instrumental in the development of such stars as Greg Jennings and Aaron Rodgers.

I don't know how to feel about this latest news. I like Fisher and think he's a fine coach, but he's a conservative coach who ran run-heavy, defense-dominated teams in Tennessee. That, as you may recall, was the undoing of Tony Sparano, and if recent history has shown us anything, it is that the conservative approach no longer leads to success in the NFL.

Ross wants to make a splash for a disheartened fan base. But as for me, if Ross can find a hungry young coach who is forward-thinking, regardless of if he has a pedigree or not, I'll be happy. Those are the coaches who have been successful in the league lately, from McCarthy to Mike Tomlin, unheralded names who came in with a strong plan, and their teams have been successful.

That's what the Dolphins need, not another NFL retread.

Now, on to my annual playoff picks:

Saturday:
Cincinnati at Houston. This is probably the least-exciting playoff game of the weekend, a matchup between two rookie quarterbacks and two middling offenses. The last time the two teams met nearly a month ago, T.J. Yates rallied the Texans with two fourth-quarter TD drives for a 20-19 victory, their last of the season, and the win that clinched their first-ever playoff berth. Both teams have strong defenses and rely on their running backs. I think Andy Dalton's better than Yates, and I think that will be the deciding factor in Cincinnati's first playoff win since 1990. Bengals 17, Texans 13.

Detroit at New Orleans. Everyone is predicting this will be a shootout, and I concur. When the teams played each other in the Superdome Dec. 4, Drew Brees passed for 342 yards and three TDs in a 31-17 win. Brees has been on an incredible run, throwing 22 TD passes and just three interceptions in his last eight games. In fact, he and Matthew Stafford have combined for 87 TD passes this season. The Saints are unbeaten at home, and I think their offense will be too much for the Lions. Saints 34, Lions 24.

Sunday:
Atlanta at New York. The Giants won their last two to make the playoffs, while Atlanta is in the postseason for the second straight time. The Falcons have better offensive balance, but Matt Ryan is 0-2 in playoff games, and the Giants' defensive line has become dominant again, as New York has 11 sacks in the last two games. The Giants also have Eli Manning, who passed for 29 TDs and was just 67 yards shy of 5,000 yards passing this season. Manning is a better clutch performer than Ryan, and he's had playoff success, so I think that tips the scales in New York's favor. Giants 27, Falcons 20.

Steelers at Broncos. The most intriguing game of the weekend. The Steelers are a beaten-up team, with Ben Roethlisberger, Lamar Woodley and Troy Polamalu all hurting, not to mention center Maurkice Pouncey and safety Ryan Clark will miss the game. Since Roethlisberger injured his ankle, the Steelers have averaged just 14 points per game in their last three. This plays into Denver's hands, since the Broncos like to play it close, then let Tim Tebow win it in the end. However, defenses seem to have solved the Tebow riddle, as the former Heisman winner has committed seven turnovers in the last three games, and has completed only 41 percent of his passes in that span. The injuries and Denver's home field advantage will make the game closer than people think, but I think Pittsburgh ekes it out on the strength of the Steelers' championship experience. Pittsburgh 17, Denver 6.