The Hail Mary - NFL Playoffs Wild Card Round

After what seemed like a whirlwind 17 weeks, the NFL playoffs begin this weekend. Every game is a rematch from the regular season, with three of them being rematches of games from last week. However, in two of those games, Packers/Cardinals and Jets/Bengals, what we saw probably isn't an indicator of what can be expected to be seen this weekend. Will the favorites move on, or as recent history shows, will a Wild Card team begin making their run to the Super Bowl?

AFC Wild Card Round: New York Jets (9-7) at Cincinnati (10-6), Cincinnati favored by 2 1/2

The New York Jets are quarterbacked by tremendous, fluke fraud Mark Sanchez. However, based on their strength of their defense and running game, plus having two teams lay down for them, they are in the playoffs. They demolished the Bengals last weekend at home, but have to travel to Cincinnati for this one. The Bengals have been pretty underwhelming the last few months, especially their offense. For them to win this game it will be on the back of their defense. Jets stud corner Derelle Revis will likely contain Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco, so WR Laveraneus Coles will need to step up against his former team. Special teams will also be a key differentiator in this game. I don't believe in the Jets one bit, despite their coach Rex Ryan declaring them favorites, Bengals are my lock of the weekend.

Prediction: Cincinnati 23, New York Jets 14

NFC Wild Card Round: Philadelphia (11-5) at Dallas (11-5), Dallas favored by 4

These teams met last week in a winner take all battle for the NFC East. The Cowboys completely dominated the Eagles, shutting them out 24-0. The Cowboys defense has produced back-to-back shutouts for the first time in franchise history. QB Tony Romo has also played well, limiting his mistakes, and taking what the defense gives him, rather than try to force plays. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb felt the Eagles played "young" against the Cowboys. They have a ton of young stars, RB LeSean McCoy, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Jeremy Maclin, TE Brent Celek, but those guys are all still relatively new to big game situations. They will have to step up quickly though, as they are all key for the Eagles to have a chance at winning on Saturday. Jackson, especially needs to step up considering all the trash talk he has done this week. The Cowboys have a very good defense but they can't shut out teams forever. The Eagles have to get inspired play from their defense, force Romo to make mistakes, and then take advantage on offense. Remember Cowboy bandwagoners, the coach is still Wade Phillips, who still hasn't won a playoff game. Go Eagles!

Prediction: Philadelphia 21, Dallas 17

AFC Wild Card Round: Baltimore (9-7) at New England (10-6), New England
favored by 3

This is a rematch from Week 4, a game the Patriots won 27-21. The big difference in this one is that the Patriots will be without WR Wes Welker, who was lost for the season after getting injured at Houston last week. Welker will definitely be missed, but WR Julian Edelman, a Welker clone, has shone he can make plays. The Ravens really don't impress me. QB Joe Flacco has really struggled lately, and their defense is not nearly as good as it once was, especially against the pass. The Ravens do run the ball very well, behind RBs Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. Those guys will have to eat up yards and clock to give Baltimore a chance. The Patriots finished 8-0 at home this year, and it is hard to imagine them losing a home playoff game.

Prediction: New England 24, Baltimore 21

NFC Wild Card Round: Green Bay (11-5) at Arizona (10-6), No Line

The big question surrounding this game is whether Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin will play or not. I think that issue is being blown up a little too much. The Cardinals played just fine without Boldin against the Carolina Panthers in the playoffs last year. The big key is which Cardinals defense will show up. Sometimes the Cardinals look fierce on defense, other times they get marched on left and right. A bigger concern for them should be whether CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is able to play. The Packers have seemed to stabilize their offensive line, which had led to QB Aaron Rodgers playing even more tremendously then he already was. Also, RB Ryan Grant has seen a resurgence as of late and is looking more like the 2007 Grant that burst onto the scene. Before the season I picked the Packers to make the NFC Championship game, but even with all the injury questions surrounding the Cardinals, I have a feeling they will win.

Prediction: Arizona 28, Green Bay 27

Last Week Against the Spread: 7-8-1
Overall Against the Spread: 128-124-4

Last Week Straight Up: 10-6
Overall Straight Up: 164-91