NFL Wild Card Weekend

Earlier I posted my NFL playoff preview, ranking the teams in each conference. That does not mean the two #1 teams (Seattle & Denver) will meet in the Super Bowl. Right now, I would give no team more than a 20% chance of winning it all. Match-ups mean a lot in the playoffs. So here are my picks for the four wild card games this weekend.

(5) Kansas City Chiefs at (4) Indianapolis Colts (Saturday 4:35pm)

The more I look at this game, the more confused I get. All the signs point to Indy. They have already beaten the Chiefs (23-7 in KC). They come in on 3 game winning streak. KC faltered down the stretch. But something keeps nagging at me. The Chiefs will welcome Pro Bowl linebacker Justin Houston back and if Tamba Hali can join him, could they harass Andrew Luck into a few mistakes? Offensively, I love Jamal Charles, but I think the key will be WR Dexter McCluster. I think he is a bit underrated and could be overlooked. Going against conventional wisdom, I am going to pick Kansas City, 27-23.

(6) New Orleans Saints at (3) Philadelphia Eagles (Saturday 8:10pm)

As I said in my preview, if the Saints were at home, they would a big favorite. On the road (18ppg, 3-5 they year, 0-5 in playoffs) and in cold weather (high 20's), I do not like them at all. Can they win? Yes. Sean Payton & Drew Bress are 2^nd best coach/QB combo in the league. The Eagles secondary is one of the worst and New Orleans defense is one the best. The key will be how Chip Kelly & Nick Foles handle their first playoff experience. If Philadelphia doesn't turn the ball over it will be an easy win, 34-17.

(6) San Diego Chargers at (3) Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday 1:00pm)

Let me say just one thing, If Cincinnati loses this game, Marvin Lewis should be fired on the spot! While San Diego is a scrappy team, they do not belong in the playoffs. If it weren't for choke jobs by Baltimore & Miami, they wouldn't be. Cincinnati has the best all around talent in the AFC. I have feeling this will be on of those games where San Diego may score a fluke or late TD to make it look respectable. Cincinnati, 28-23.

(5) San Fransisco 49ers vs (4) Green Bay Packers (Sunday 4:35pm)

The Packers are bit like the San Diego Chargers, they got real lucky to make the playoffs. But even with Aaron Rodgers playing, I give GB only slim chance. San Fransisco is right up there with Seattle as the best team in NFL. I think Kaepernick, Gore, Davis & Boldin will eat up Green Bay's D. I can understand why fans in Green Bay don't want go to the game. The weather will keep this game from being a blood bath, SF 23-10.