NFL Wild Card Weekend Preview

Ahh yes, the NFL playoffs are here. This weekend we have 4 games, featuring teams that always seem to be around this time of year, and some that don’t. Last year I started this blog during the Divisional round, and I was 6-1 in picks from that point forward. Let’s see how good I am this year. Here we go:

Saturday, 4:30pm ET, Atlanta at Arizona, NBCHD, Tom Hammond, Chris Collinsworth

This game should be high scoring and every exciting. Rookie Matt Ryan leads this Falcons’ offense into Arizona against another high powered team that has taken a bunch of games off recently since clinching the NFC West. I expect Arizona, led by Ryan’s passing attack and Michael Turner’s rushing to shock some people and win in a high scoring game.

My Prediction:
Falcons 42
Cardinals 35

Saturday, 8pm ET, Colts at Chargers, NBCHD, Al Michaels and John Madden

This should be a very high scoring affair between two teams that know each other very, very well. Since MVP Peyton Manning has gotten healthy and gotten back to his old ways the Indianapolis has won 9 straight and looked like a completely different ball club. San Diego may be 8-8 but when they’re on they are on and look like they can beat anyone. However, if Chargers TE Antonio Gates can’t go, that would be a big blow to San Diego. Expect a high scoring game with a Colts win.

My Prediction:
Colts 42
Chargers 31

Sunday, 1pm ET, Ravens at Dolphins, CBSHD, Jim Nantz and Phil Simms

This game is going to be very interesting, and especially this matchup: Chad Pennington and the Dolphins’ offense versus the ferocious Ravens defense. Chad threw some horrible passes last week against the Jets which the Jets’ defense couldn’t turn into any points. The Ravens will take advantage of those mistakes and win a close ball game.

My Prediction:
Ravens 17
Dolphins 7

Sunday, 4:30pm ET, Eagles at Vikings, FOXHD, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

This game is basically comeback after benching (Eagles) vs the one man running machine (Adrian Peterson. If Jim Johnson’s ferocious (I’ve used that word two times now in this post, haven’t I?) defense shows up and is able to keep Peterson in somewhat check, and McNabb doesn’t make any mistakes, the Eagles should be well on their way.

My Prediction:
Eagles 27
Vikings 17