Wild Card Weekend Picks!

Wild Card Weekend is here and before I get to my picks for the first round of the NFL Playoffs, let's hope that the playoffs have a lot more drama than the regular season. Usually, every Sunday in the NFL is wild and crazy. Having the Sunday Ticket on DirecTV gives me a chance to watch all the games and in normal years, there is craziness every Sunday-usually when the early games are all ending around the same time. Also, there are usually a bunch of marquee games throughout the year that are instant classics and signature games of the NFL year. This year it didn't work out that way. A lot of Sundays didn't feature those crazy 1:00 games that come down to the wire. Basically all of the Thursday night and Sunday night games were blowouts. The Monday night games didn't exactly bring up the rear either. It was a weird year. Can you think of one marquee game that stood out besides the New England-Green Bay game in late November? There wasn't that much that stood out. Even the Thanksgiving games weren't as good as advertised. Hopefully, that sets up for an epic postseason capped off by a Broncos Super Bowl victory. I love Wild Card Weekend because that is usually where some of the classic games take place. This year's slate has some interesting matchups. You have Dallas in the mix for the first time since 2009 and a great rivalry game between Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Let's just hope the playoffs can provide the excitement that the regular season didn't provide. Onto the picks for Wild Card Weekend.....

Last Week's Record: 7-8-1
Final Regular Season Record: 135-113-8
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

5-Arizona at 4-Carolina

A Case for the Cardinals: As bad as the Cardinals have played down the stretch, you still have to like their defense. The Cardinals defense has been tremendous all year long, and in a one game situation, you have to feel good about their chances-especially when you bring a good defense on the road. Nobody has picked the Cards at all this year, and you have to respect a team that won 11 games. Plus, I don't care who is at QB, this feels like it could be one of those games where everyone is going to be picking the Panthers, and then all of a sudden the Cards force like four turnovers, they are up 24-7 in the third quarter, and they find a way to win this game and advance.

A Case for the Panthers: I had Carolina dead and out of the playoff picture a month ago, but give them credit because they won their last four games, and destroyed Atlanta in Week 17 on the road to earn a berth to the postseason for a second year in a row. Who cares if they won the division at 7-8-1. They did what they had to do, and someone had to win the NFC South, and they did it, so they deserve the home game. Their defense is playing like it did last year when they went 12-4. They haven't given up more than 20 points on defense in six straight games (Minnesota blocked two punts for touchdown in the 31-13 game in Week 13). I like this matchup with their defense against the Cards and Ryan Lindley at QB. Plus, Cam Newton is a game changing player. They can put this whole game on his shoulders and he can do it himself by running and throwing his way to a victory. Did you know that the Panthers had two 1,000 yard receivers in Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin? I didn't realize that stat either. They are at home, playing well as of late, and have a chance to let their defense tee off on the Cardinals and their offense.

Prediction: CAROLINA (-5) over Arizona: I'm a little worried because there is a lot of confidence for a 7 win team that got in the playoffs by winning a crummy division, but I think Carolina does what it has to do and puts the Cardinals away and advances to the next round.

Final Score: Panthers-23 Cards-9


6-Baltimore at 3-Pittsburgh

A Case for the Ravens: The Ravens are back in the playoffs after a year absence, and they are always a tough out in the playoffs. Don't sleep on John Harbaugh having his troops ready to play in this one. I know Joe Flacco has struggled lately, but don't forget about what he did two years ago on his magical run to the Super Bowl. When you have a QB who has won a Super Bowl, then you have a chance to win in the playoffs every time. Plus, Baltimore gets Haloti Ngata back from suspension, and there will be no need for motivation as they head to Pittsburgh to take on their hated-rival. They are definitely going to be playing up the underdog role, as it seems like no one is giving them a chance. They can still get after the QB with Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. The Steelers have been shaky at times this year with losses to the Bucs, Jets, and Saints as well. Plus, with no Le'Veon Bell, the Ravens might be able to turn up that pass rush. Once again: Do not underestimate John Harbaugh and the Ravens. They are always a threat.

A Case for the Steelers: They are playing their best football at the right time. Their offensive line is playing great. They have Antonio Brown and a group of lethal young receivers. Their defense is healthy and getting their game in order. Ben Roethlisberger has had one of his best years ever, and they are at home in primetime against their hated rival. Although Le'Veon Bell won't, you still have to like the Steelers ability to throw the ball at will against the banged-up Ravens secondary. It seems like the perfect matchup for them because I just don't know how the Ravens are going to slow down Big Ben and his receivers. It seems like there is always a "hot" team heading into the playoffs, and that team continues to pick up steam once they get there. Last year, it was the Chargers and they pulled the upset in the first round. This year, the Steelers appear to be that team that is streaking at the right time.

Prediction: PITTSBURGH (-3) over Baltimore: This a classic matchup, and I predicted a Steelers-Ravens Wild Card game back in August, so I'm going to sit back and enjoy this one. Two hated rivals meeting up in the playoffs on a Saturday night. This should be fun. I just think that the Steelers are too explosive for the Ravens, and I see a close game for awhile, but look for Pittsburgh to take control of the game late and move on to the Divisional Round.

Final Score: Steelers-27 Ravens-20


5-Cincinnati at 4-Indianapolis

A Case for the Bengals: They got buried by the Colts in Indy earlier in the year, but throw that game away for this rematch. The Colts are banged up at WR. Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton will play, but they are not at full strength. The Bengals are a good team, even with Andy Dalton's limitations. This is their 4th straight trip to the playoffs and they are 0-3 the last three years. This is a tough task for them on the road, but I like their defense on all three levels. I think they can get pressure on Andrew Luck, and I really like how their secondary matches up with the Colts. Don't you think Marvin Lewis, Andy Dalton and the entire Bengals franchise are due for a playoff win? They haven't won a playoff game since 1990. I think this is the year they get it done. I really like their running game, and I like how they can balance their offense and keep the pressure off Dalton. I truly believe this was a good matchup for them.

A Case for the Colts: They have Andrew Luck. Plain and simple. Without Luck, the Colts would be a 6-10 team. Luck can win this game all by himself. Plus, they are at home and the crowd will be rocking. You have to like their chances at Lucas Oil Stadium with Andy Dalton coming to town. They really dominated the Bengals earlier in the year, and I know that game doesn't have that much impact now, but you have to think Indy will be confident that they can do it again. Plus, the shine has kind of left the Colts as they head into the postseason. Everyone is focused on the Broncos, Patriots, and Steelers in the AFC, and everyone is forgetting about the Colts. Doesn't that sound like a perfect setup for them to get on a run?

Prediction: Cincinnati (+3.5) over INDIANAPOLIS: This is the most interesting game for me of the weekend, and I think it could be the most competitive. Usually, at least one road team wins outright on Wild Card Weekend, so I think this might be the spot for it. I am taking a chance betting against Andrew Luck, but I really think that this is the year the Bengals finally win that playoff game under Marvin Lewis. They are due, and I think they win a thriller late.

Final Score: Bengals-26 Colts-24


6-Detroit at 3-Dallas

A Case for the Lions: It starts with their defense. Ndamukong Suh is going to play after having his one-game suspension reversed. The Lions have leaned on their defense all year long, and like I said earlier: If you bring a really good defense with you on the road in the playoffs, you have a chance for an upset as an underdog. Detroit has held an opponent under 20 points 11 times this season. That is hard to deal in the NFL these days. The Lions know they have to shut down Demarco Murray, and they could actually do it. People forget that the Lions went to the playoffs in 2011. Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson and some of their other notable players played in that game that they lost to the Saints on the road. Playoff experience is huge, so I'm not worried about the key players on the Lions having that "Deer in Headlights" look on Sunday.

A Case for the Cowboys: The best offensive line in football resides in Dallas. The Cowboys have been able to run the ball on everyone this year, so why would this game be any different? I also think that the Tony Romo factor is in play here. Romo has played great the last month, and I think he can continue to ride this hot streak-even against a stout defense like the Lions. The Cowboys have scored 30 or more points 10 times this season. Look at their points the last four weeks: 41, 38, 42, and 44. It is going to be hard to slow them down. Also, I think the Cowboys are due as well. After winning a playoff game in 2009, they spent 2011, 2012, and 2013, at home with 8-8 records after losing the final game of the season to get eliminated. This Cowboys season came out of nowhere, and I have the feeling that they could get on a run here. Plus, the NFL would love a Cowboys-Packers NFC Divisional Playoff next Sunday at 1:00. Don't forget about that as you are watching this game.

Prediction: DALLAS (-6) over Detroit: I have to admit that I'm picking the Cowboys because I am actually rooting for them. I want to see them head to Lambeau next Sunday to take on the Packers. The NFL is just more fun when the Cowboys are good-whether you love them or hate them. The Cowboys are shaky at home, but I think they find a way to exercise some demons here and get only their second playoff victory since 1996.

Final Score: Cowboys-27 Lions-20