NFL Wildcard Weekend Picks

The NFL postseason is upon once again and I couldn't be happier. I always seem to be travelling for the two first weekends of the playoffs, so there is always a bit of mystery that leaves me wanting more out of the NFL. Has there ever been a weirder scenario then four road teams all being favored in the first weekend? No way that's ever happened. The picks are really, really tough this week since the stronger teams are all the on road, neutralizing some of their effectiveness. And now on to the picks...

Home teams in CAPS.


CARDINALS (+2) over Falcons


Everyone loves the Falcons in this game, which makes the Cards just a little more appealing. Let's look at a few of Atanta's stats: 4-4 on the road, rookie QB, rookie coach, 3-3 in games played outside a dome. Now look at Arizona's stats: 6-2 at home, veteran QB, veteran coaching staff that knows the playoffs (from their Pittsburgh days), and perfect weather for game time. The weather might be the most important factor for Arizona. They are a touch/finesse team that plays well when the football is clean and Kurt Warner can grip the ball without having to deal with the cold, rain, snow etc. If the ball is clean and the weather is decent, he can effectively distribute to Boldin and Fitzgerald, two receiving monsters Atlanta's secondary can't contain. Simply, Arizona is built to play in nice weather, something they'll get this Saturday.

Arizona is certainly undervalued, because, well, they're not really that good. But they've dropped a couple of games once they wrapped up the division. Motivation is tough when the players don't have anything to play for anymore. I see them playing well for at least one day, and sending Matty Ice and the Falcons packing. 34-28 Cards.


Colts (-1) over CHARGERS


The Chargers have to be the luckiest team in the NFL during the last decade. They have talent, but an 8-8 team that was at one point 4-8 and got a couple of charity wins compliments to Herm Edwards, should not be considered a serious contender. I understand the Chargers usually play the Colts tough, but the Colts have won 9 in a row, including a win in San Diego. Just take a quick look at the matchups:

Tony Dungy v. Norv Turner
Peyton Manning v. Philip Rivers
Indy D v. Chargers D

The Colts win the coaching, quarterbacking and defensive battles. Additionally, Indy was 6-2 on the road; the Chargers were 5-3 at home. Any time a team has a better away record then the home team they're playing, I'm taking the road team. 24-20 Colts.


DOLPHINS (+3) over Ravens


I think this is the hardest game to forecast during the weekend. On one hand you have a Baltimore team that has a dominant defense, an effective offense, went 5-3 on the road and won in Miami earlier in the season. Conversely, Miami has a veteran QB, won 9 of their last 10, and is playing at home. Something has to give. In this situation you look at the individual matchups and see who wins:

Pennington v. Flacco -- Edge Dolphins
Sparano v. Harbaugh -- Push, but I'll give the slight edge to Sparano
Balti D v. Miami D -- Edge Ravens

I think these teams are pretty even, and whichever team has the ball at the end of the game wins it. This is going to be a completely unwatchable, low-scoring affair. I say the game is settled by a last second field goal. 17-15 Ravens.


Eagles (-3) over VIKINGS


Everyone is pushing the Eagles this week, and for good reason. The Iggs destroyed the Cowboys last week with a complex defensive package that annihilated Romo and the 'Boys. Any time you can play against Tavaris Jackson and Brad Childress the following week, it's just icing on the cake. The Metrodome will be a tough environment, so the Vikes certainly have the homefield advantage, but Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb should take care of business against the worst team in the playoffs. 27-20 Eagles