Wildcard Weekend Picks!

When the NFL playoffs begin, there is a feeling of excitement that surrounds the playoffs, the games, the teams, and the storylines that develop as the 12 teams prep for their shot at the Super Bowl and the Lombardi Trophy. It is hard to decide which is the better weekend for the diehard NFL fan: Wildcard Weekend or Divisional Weekend. I tend to side with the Wildcard round because I feel that there is more of a chance of better games and wilder finishes. Plus, it is the first taste of the playoffs and it always seems that the games have a different feel to it than the games in the Divisional round. Don't get me wrong, I love both weekends, but there is something about the Wildcard round that is just different and special at the same time. Before I get to the games and the picks, it is so nice how as a Broncos fan I can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the games this weekend knowing that the Broncos are waiting in the wings and getting ready for their Divisional Playoff game next weekend. It is about as good of a feeling that you can have as a NFL fan this time of the year. Here are the picks for the Wildcard Weekend

(6) Cincinnati at (3) Houston
A Case for the Bengals: The Bengals made a surprising move to get back to the playoffs for the second year in a row. They get a rematch in the same stadium one year later against the Texans, and this Bengals team is better than the team that the Texans pounded in last year's Wildcard game. We know about Geno Atkins and this Bengals defense, but the Bengals also possess one of the best offensive players on the field in this game in wideout A.J. Green. He could simply take over the game. Andy Dalton has some playoff experience after last year's game, so he should play a lot better in this year's contest. Plus, aren't the Bengals due for a playoff win? They haven't won a playoff game since 1990, and they are now making their fourth playoff appearance in seven years. Don't you think they are just about ready to finally get that long-awaited playoff win?

A Case for the Texans:
Although they have lost three out of their last four games after starting the season 11-1, the Texans are still a really good team. This team was the frontrunner for homefield advantage all year long. All of a sudden they are sitting here as the 3 seed, and they have to play in the first round of the playoffs. Also, a lot of the sentiment this week has been towards the Bengals going into Houston and beating the Texans. Did you forget that the Bengals beat the Steelers two weeks ago only because Ben Roethlisberger handed the game to them on a platter? Don't forget that the Bengals were having trouble with the Ravens backups in Week 17. Also, the Texans have a decided edge in the coaching department with Gary Kubiak over Marvin Lewis.

The Pick: HOUSTON (-4) over Cincinnati
As much as Houston has fallen apart the last two weeks, but I still think they are simply the better team in this matchup. They are at home, and I see them coming out with a really big first half and taking it to the Bengals early. Look for the Texans to win and send themselves to Foxborough for a date with Patriots in the Divisional Playoffs.
Final Score: Texans-26 Bengals-16

(6) Minnesota at (3) Green Bay
A Case for the Vikings: Two words: Adrian Peterson. What Peterson did this year was simply amazing. He showed that he can run all over the Packers defense. He did it in Lambeau earlier in the season, and he did in the season finale in Minnesota last week. We know the Vikings will get off the bus handing the ball to Peterson, and it will be up to the Packers to stop him. Also, no matter what happens in this game, this Vikings season is a success. From 3-13 to the playoffs is quite an accomplishment for this franchise, and they can play this game fast and loose-especially since they defeated the Packers just one week ago. The Vikes are playing with the proverbial "house money" in this game for sure.

A Case for the Packers: The Packers are at home, in Lambeau Field, on a Saturday night, in the playoffs against the Vikings. The Packers are getting Charles Woodson back this week, and I think that will certainly help out their secondary. Don't you think the Packers looked at Sunday's loss and said "Enjoy it Minnesota, but let's see what happens next week." Plus, don't forget about the Aaron Rodgers factor. You know how good he is, and he can be the difference maker. He is in the level of QBs that you really can't go against in the playoffs. Rodgers vs. Christian Ponder is a bit of mismatch in the playoffs in my opinion. Lastly, the Packers have been waiting to get back to the playoffs after their one and done debacle at home last year following their 15-1 season. They will be very fired up and ready to go for their playoff opener. I would expect their best game this Saturday night.

The Pick: GREEN BAY (-7) over Minnesota
The Packers will win this game outright, and my sneaky surprise for the game is that the Packers will find a way to slow down Adrian Peterson. Like they did in the 1994 Playoffs when they shut down Detroit's Barry Sanders, I could see their defense playing committed football and flying to the ball all night long to stop Peterson. It is hard to see the Pack losing this one.
Final Score: Packers-31 Vikings-17

(5) Indianapolis at (4) Baltimore
A Case for the Colts:  There are three big factors for the Colts in this game. First, the whole Chuck Pagano and Chuckstrong storyline. We have seen before how an inspirational storyline can carry a team in the playoffs. The Pagano angle is something that has really taken a national appeal, and it just seems like it adds to the overall play of their football team. Sometimes you just can't mess with fate. Second, Andrew Luck could actually win this game on his own. Usually, it takes the great Quarterbacks some time to win their first playoff game. John Elway lost his first playoff game. Peyton Manning lost his too. Can't you see Luck finding a way to win this game late though? He will have no fear in this game, and he might be really dangerous as a result. Lastly, the Colts have nothing to lose in this game. They can go out, play loose, and play with nothing to lose because all the pressure will be on the Ravens to advance. Those three factors could all make the difference for the Colts on Sunday.

A Case for the Ravens: Ray Lewis will return for this game, and it will be a playoff game in front of the home crowd. Also, he just announced that he is retiring at the end of the playoffs. There is no way that Lewis is losing is final game of his career in the playoffs at home. The Ravens will be getting healthy at the right time, and they are playoff savvy. This is their fifth straight season in the playoffs, and as a group they have won five playoff games the last four seasons. We know how tough they are at home, Joe Flacco plays better at home, and they get a very young team coming to their building. When they needed a big win late in the year, they dominated the Giants at home in Week 16. They didn't play great all year long, but after reaching the AFC Championship last year and losing, it wasn't about the regular season for them. This year was about advancing in the postseason, and now the postseason has arrived, and they could be primed for big win to start the playoffs this Sunday.

The Pick: Indianapolis (+8) over BALTIMORE:
The Ravens will win this game outright, but the Colts have nothing to lose in this contest, and I think they will at least grab a backdoor cover late. Luck keeps coming and it is hard to fully put the Colts away. I look for the Ravens to grab an early lead and extend it into the third quarter. The Colts will make the margin closer than the game appeared, but look for the Ravens to advance to the Divisional Round for the fifth year in a row.
Final Score: Ravens-31 Colts-24

(5) Seattle at (4) Washington
A Case for the Seahawks: Other than the Broncos, has anyone been more dominant than the Seahawks the last part of the season? I really like Russell Wilson's moxie, and I don't think being on the road in the playoffs will affect him. You also have to love the ability of Marshawn Lynch to pound the Redskins defense all day long. When you break down the Seahawks, you have to start with the play of their defense. This will be very interesting to see how Seattle plays Robert Griffin III, Alfred Morris, and the Redskins Pistol formation. You have to like the Seahawks chances in the secondary of completely shutting down this Redskins passing attack. Is RG III healthy enough to make plays against this defense? Overall, the Seahawks are the better team.

A Case for the Redskins: When you have a combination like RG III and Alfred Morris, then you can put fear in the hearts of the Seattle defense. If the Redskins ran a more traditional offense, then maybe they would really struggle to move the ball on Seattle, but the style of play by Washington might confuse and frustrate the Seahawks all day long. RG III is a gamer, and you would expect him to make a few big plays in this game. Plus, don't forget the Redskins have climbed out of a 3-6 hole, won seven straight games, and head into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Haven't we seen this formula work before for the hot team that gets into the playoffs late and then goes on a run?

The Pick: Seattle (-3) over WASHINGTON:
One road team has to win this game, so I'll go with the Seahawks. Either way this game is fascinating to me. I love the matchup between these two teams, but I envision the Seahawks defense making one more play than the Redskins offense. This game should be very close, but look for a Seattle stop late on RG III to seal the win on the road for Pete Carroll's squad.
Final Score: Seahawks-24 Washington-20