Wild Card Weekend Predictions

Wild Card Weekend Predictions

We’re finally here! It’s the 2013 NFL playoffs, where twelve teams are fighting for one common goal: a Super Bowl championship. I already released my picks for the whole playoffs, so if you read that than you already know who I’m picking in these games. However, I’m going to elaborate on those selections here in this column. In these wild card games, we have one rematch of last year, one divisional matchup, one emotional battle, and one showdown between spectacular rookie quarterbacks. An exciting weekend of football is definitely in store, so let’s get to the action. Here are my picks for the teams who will advance in the playoffs, and move one step closer to immortality.

CIN vs HOU (-4.5) - This game was a blowout with TJ Yates at QB for the Texans last year. The Bengals are absolutely better than last year, and are my early pick for 2013 AFC North Champions. Meanwhile, the Texans have lost three out of four to blow an 11-1 start and fall out of a first round bye. I believe in momentum, which points to Cincy here, but I don’t think that momentum is enough to overcome the talent differential between these two teams. The Bengals are moving in the ride direction, and I think this will be a pretty close game, but I’d still give the points and take the Texans at home. They did still win 11 out of 12. Cincinnati 17, Houston 24

MIN vs GB (-7.5) - I know that the Packers on paper are better than the Vikings. But to lay more than a touchdown against a team that just beat them last week? Adrian Peterson, who I believe should win the MVP and Comeback Player of the Year awards (coming from a Peyton Manning fan--he’s my favorite player), has rushed for an average of over 200 yards in two games against the Packers. TWO HUNDRED YARDS. As an AVERAGE. Seriously, they cannot stop this guy. I think that AD will go over 150 against the Packers and control the clock, keeping Aaron Rodgers off the field. However, with all that said, it’s still a matchup between Christian Ponder and Aaron Rodgers. Outdoors. In Green Bay. In the playoffs. So I think that the Pack take care of business--BARELY. Christian Ponder turns it over at the end of the game before the Vikings can get into game-winning field goal range. Vikes with the points. Minnesota 20, Green Bay 21

IND vs BAL (-7) - How about the emotions in this game? The Colts, of course, just endured the sickness and return of their head coach Chuck Pagano, which led to a powerful win last week against Houston. The Ravens will be fired up by the return of Ray Lewis, who announced that this season will be his last, capping off a glorious career. The Colts have gone from atrocious to respectable in one season with Andrew Luck at quarterback, while the Ravens have maintained their consistency; Joe Flacco is the first QB in NFL history to make the playoffs in his first five seasons, and so far he has won at least one game in every single one of them. I was all set to pick the Colts to win because of emotion and momentum and a similar destiny type feeling like Tebow’s run with the Broncos last season. Then I thought logically, and there really isn’t a debate; the Ravens are better than the Colts, and they don’t lose in the first round. And while seven points is a lot, I’m still taking the over. Indianapolis 20, Baltimore 31

SEA vs WAS (+3) - How about a rookie quarterback being favored on the road? I love this Seahawks team; they are incredibly balanced, and Russell Wilson has played well beyond his years. Meanwhile, the Redskins have won seven in a row, and have announced to the rest of the NFC East that they are here to stay. RGIII may already be the most exciting player in the league, but he is not 100%, which means that Washington may have to rely on rookie running back Alfred Morris to try and get past a brutal Seattle defense. The Seahawks, meanwhile, only won three road games all season long, and have to undergo the tough task of flying West to East. This game will be close, but I think the edge goes to the completeness of the Seattle Seahawks. These two teams will be around for the next decade, but the Seahawks are better right now, and they will squeeze out a big road win. Seattle 27, Washington 23