Wild-Card Weekend Predictions

Added on Jan 07, 2011 by Scott in

NFL

After this weekend’s slate of games, the field to capture the elusive Lombardi Trophy will be cut from twelve teams to eight. Throw out the regular season records and stats. The NFL playoffs are a wipe the slate clean event where anything and everything is possible. There will be upsets, blowouts and down to the wire matchups. As the cliche goes, it’s win or go home. So, who wins and who goes home on Wild-Card Weekend? Let’s take a look.

(5) Saints at (4) Seahawks – Setting aside the fact that the 11-5 defending champions have to travel to play the 7-9 NFC West winners, this looks like a complete mismatch. Sure, Seattle plays better at home and New Orleans hasn’t been as dominant as they were in 2009, but this thing should be over by halftime. The Hawks yield 25.4 points per game and have allowed 47 touchdowns — 31 via the air. Matt Hasselbeck will start. The “12th Man” will be hyped. The Saints rank fourth against the pass, but did give up 366 yards to Hasselbeck in their Week 11 meeting. None of this matters. Drew Brees will work his magic and carve up a porous defense. Saints 27, Seahawks 13

Jets (6) at (3) Colts – In last year’s AFC Title tilt, the Jets secondary was abused by Peyton Manning to the tune of 377 yards and three touchdowns. On that day, Dallas Clark and Austin Collie combined to catch 11 balls for 158 yards and two scores. Both Clark and Collie won’t be available. The Jets defense has improved across the board in 2010. The addition of cornerback Antonio Cromartie solidified the secondary; the ex-Charger has picked off Manning four times in his career. Calvin Pace, Bryan Thomas, Jason Taylor and Shaun Ellis racked 21 sacks and must pressure Manning to remove him from his comfort zone. On offense, the Jets have to exploit the wounded Colts and control the clock. New York is the better team. As long as Mark Sanchez avoids mistakes, they will win. Jets 20, Colts 17

(5) Ravens at (4) Chiefs – The KC rush attack is the league’s best. The Ravens run defense has allowed only five touchdowns on the ground. Something has to give. Matt Cassel proved he could make plays downfield during the regular season. He’ll have to do the same on Sunday against a vulnerable secondary. Baltimore will lean on Ray Rice to move the chains versus an inconsistent Chiefs front. Joe Flacco must preach patience. Eric Berry and Brandon Flowers are skilled at baiting quarterbacks. Kansas City hasn’t defeated a team with a winning record all year. Look for that trend to continue. Charles and Thomas Jones will be contained. Ravens 20, Chiefs 10

(6) Packers at (3) Eagles – Philly is limping into the playoffs, while the Packers are rolling. The Eagles smallish receivers will face a physical, veteran secondary. The Packers bigger receivers will square off against a injury depleted secondary that has yielded 31 touchdowns. For all the great things Michael Vick has accomplished this season, his inability to read and escape the blitz stymied a dangerous offense in December. Andy Reid has a secret weapon in LeSean McCoy, but his refusal to utilize his young back early and often has made the offense one-dimensional and predictable. Vick is a special player, but his turnovers are becoming a problem. Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews should both have big games. Another road team rules the day. Packers 31, Eagles 20

All four road teams winning? There’s no way that will happen. Colts or Eagles will likely come through. That being said, I really do like the visitors this weekend.