NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

First Round Bye: #1 Tennessee Titans, #2 Pittsburgh Steelers, #1 New York Giants, #2 Carolina Panthers

Saturday, January 3^rd, 2009

NFC Wildcard

#5 Atlanta Falcons(11-5) at #4 Arizona Cardinals(9-7) 4:30PM (NBC)

With what looks to be a couple of rising stars in rookie head coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan the Falcons will look to continue to roll as they make the trip to Arizona to take on an over excited Cardinals franchise that was unable to defeat a single team with an above .500 record in the second half of their season.

Falcons continue to get it done in the win column

(Falcons -2)

AFC Wildcard

#5 Indianapolis Colts(12-4) at #4 San Diego Chargers(8-8) 8:00PM (NBC)

As the Chargers get set to host the Colts this weekend, they have to be pumped up to know they are in where they don’t belong. Don’t get me wrong, we all know I’m a Broncos fan, but Denver would have honestly had no place here either. Neither team could get anything done on a consistent basis this season. This is why the Colts will be able to storm into San Diego and put a quick end to the AFC West.

Colts take the wind out of San Diego’s sails

(Colts -1.5)

Sunday, January 4^th, 2009

AFC Wildcard

#6 Baltimore Ravens(11-5) at #3 Miami Dolphins(11-5) 1:00PM (CBS)

Quite honestly, I’m having a difficult time with this pick. While part of me says the Ravens should have this game in the same fashion as they did in the regular season, the other half of me says that too many of us are continuing to underestimate the Dolphins based on a season last year that really has no meaningful insight to this year’s team. What does have meaning going into this game is the fact that the Dolphins have actually played on of the easier schedules this year.

Ravens repeat their regular season win.

(Ravens -3.5)

NFC Wildcard

#6 Philadelphia Eagles(9-6-1) at #3 Minnesota Vikings(10-6) 4:30PM (FOX)

Last week, the Eagles absolutely destroyed the Cowboys in an absolutely lopsided win to make the play offs and Andy Reid never seemed to have any intention of slowing it down. This could play against the Eagles this week as they have followed almost every one of their lopsided wins this season with a loss. Also take into account that this game will be played in Minnesota and I believe we could be due for a slight upset.

Vikings serve up an upset to their visiting guests

(Vikings +3)