The NFL playoffs begin this weekend with all four Wild Card games rematches from earlier this season, including three from just last week. Though two of those match ups saw teams laying down (ARI,CIN) one just got beat down (PHI). This schedule is sure to make for some interesting picks amongst the pick ‘em crew, but before we get to the picks I’d like to give credit where it is due.
Congratulations to Pat for having the highest win percentage (he started picking a few weeks in) for the 2009 pick ‘em campaign at 68.5% correct and also to Tony for picking the most correct at 38. Let’s see if Nick, Duds or myself can make a run at the playoff crown with the slates wiped clean.
New York Jets @ Cincinnati
PM- Mark my words and hold me to it, “I hate the Jets”, never used to but they do not deserve to be in the playoffs. Cincinatti wins BIG!
TB- Something tells me the Jets will come into this game with more confidence than the Bengals. They’ll want to prove to the world they deserve to be there and I see that motivating the Jets to a victory by 3.
DF- This is a toss up but I like Carson Palmer in this one. The Jets defense is good, but I think Cincy wins at home by 7.
WF- Much like Pat I hate the Jets. If the Bengals stop Thomas Jones and force Mark Sanchez to beat them it’ll be a long day in Ohio for Rex’s boys. I like Cincinnati at home by 13.
NG- I’m not big on either of these teams and I don’t see either going very deep into the playoffs. I’ll take the Bengals in a bounce back game.
Philadelphia @ Dallas
PM- The old cliche of “hard to beat a team 3 times in one season” is a bunch of garbage. I like what the Cowboys have going on right now. Cowboys in a dog fight.
TB- It’s hard to believe the Cowboys would beat the Eagles three times in one year, as well as back-to-back. But it was harder to believe they’d win big games in December, and they did. Cowboys by 7.
DF- Dallas seems to be coming around especially the running game. Last week went just as I predicted and I still look for more of the same. Dallas by 14 at home.
WF- Dallas set the bar pretty high with the domination they showed last week. I see this game as much closer, but if Philly can’t get DeSean Jackson back to being a big play threat they will struggle. Dallas by 6 with a late D stop.
NG- The Eagles didn’t show up in their last game versus the Cowboys and that was a mistake. They gave Dallas some confidence and they don’t seem to be playing their best football right now. Cowboys win a close one.
Baltimore @ New England
PM- This should be an interesting match-up as I would like to see Baltimore pull this big win out. However, even without Welker, Julian Edelman is a protege of Welker and will make up for his loss. Weather is to be foul this weekend and New England thrives for it. New England by 14.
TB- This is the toughest game of the weekend to pick. It’s hard to tell whether the Patriots offense will crumble without Wes Welker, or if they’ll play a famous F-You game and blow the Ravens apart. I still like the Ravens D and I’ll count on that for a Ravens win by 3.
DF- I like the rested Pats in this one. Baltimore will be tough but Brady will take charge. Pats by 10.
WF- I don’t think the Patriots have as much heart this season as in years past. They slept-walked through a lot of games late in the season while the Ravens were battling for their playoff lives. I like Baltimore in the upset over the hoody.
NG- New England has been all to quiet lately and I like them to make some noise in the playoffs. New England wins in a close one.
Green Bay @ Arizona
PM- At least one of the Super Bowl teams from last season made the playoffs, but still aren’t strong enough to beat Green Bay.
TB- The Cardinals have the experience and offensive fire power to excel in the playoffs again this year. I want to pick them, but I want to see Favre play to Packers again in round 2 even more. Since I like to believe I get what I want, Packers by 10.
DF- Everybody knows I hate the Cards, they’re simply overachievers and GB took it to em big last week and will repeat again GB by 17.
WF- Like father like son; F@$% Kurt Warner and the Cardinals, Packers by 17.
NG- These teams match up pretty evenly and this game could easily go either way. I think Arizona should be able to pull this one out at home over the Packers.
