Wildcard Round NFL Picks
Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) at Houston Texans (12-4)
Bengals Breakdown:
The Bengals come into this game on their first back-to-back winning seasons in years. This game affords them the opportunity to show that they are amongst the game’s elite teams. Their defensive line needs to be the key to the game. They are great at pressuring the passer, but they need to stop the run. Arian Foster tore them up in last year’s playoffs, and that cannot happen again.
Texans Breakdown:
The Texans are coming in about as cold as any team in the league. Matt Schaub especially has been dreadful in losing three out of their last four. Against a ferocious Bengals pass rush; will Schaub be able to come around to his early season form?
Matchup to Watch: Jonathan Joseph vs. AJ Green
Joseph, when healthy, is amongst the best cornerbacks in the league. However, more often than not this year he has not been at top condition. He is expected to be one hundred percent healthy and will do battle with AJ Green. They will need the best out of him on Saturday.
My Pick:
I am taking the Texans here. I know I am in the minority here, but I don’t trust the Bengals in the post season. I believe it will be a repeat of last years playoffs: Dalton will show the weaknesses he possesses and their youth, in general, will show.
Minnesota Vikings (10-6) at Green Bay Packers (11-5)
Vikings Breakdown:
There has to be a ton of confidence amongst the Vikings after beating their rival Packers in week 17. However, will they be able to run Adrian Peterson that well again? How about Christian Ponder? Does he have that type of performance in him again?
Packers Breakdown:
Just like the Vikings must feel confident, the Packers must feel angry. It was apparent with how much intensity that Aaron Rodgers played with he really wanted to keep his division rivals out of the playoffs. He certainly wants to bounce them here as well.
Matchup to Watch: Packers Wide Receivers vs. Vikings secondary
This is the first time since early in the season that the Packers will be fully stocked at the receiver position. With Jennings, Cobb, Nelson and Jones all playing together they certainly pose problems for any secondary. This Vikings group has played much better than anticipated this season and we will see if they are up to the challenge here.
My Pick:
The Vikings will not beat the Packers two weeks in a row. The Packers are just the much superior team and have a better all around roster. I also expect an improving Packer defense, with Charles Woodson returning, will be able to get the best of Ponder.
Indianapolis Colts (11-5) at Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
Colts Breakdown:
The Colts have to like their chances against a Ravens team that slumped into the playoffs. If the Colts can get emotion on their side they certainly have a chance to win. I think their best bet would be to attack this defense with short passes to get the ball out of Andrew Luck’s hands quickly and reduce his turnover chances.
Ravens Breakdown:
The Ravens have their own emotions to play off of as this is likely to be Ray Lewis’ last home game as a Raven. He has been a legend and really personifies Ravens football. This team will no doubt be ready to play for him. It will be up to Flacco to play a good game to get Ray that win.
Matchup to Watch: Ray Rice vs. Colts run defense
The Colts run defense is certainly amongst the weakest parts of their team. Ray Rice and running the football needs to become the focal point of the offense once again to give Flacco favorable passing lanes.
My Pick:
I am going with the Ravens. I just cannot imagine Ray Lewis walking off the field on Sunday as a loser. It just would not be fitting.
Seattle Seahawks (11-5) at Washington Redskins (10-6)
Seahawks Breakdown:
The Seahawks come into this matchup as one of the hottest teams in the league. The face another team that is equally as hot coming in and that actually shares many similarities with them. The key will be for Seattle’s run defense to be a competitive advantage, as this is the part of the game that Seattle should have a clear upper hand.
Redskins Breakdown:
The Redskins are putting it all together. Their run game is great and their defense is also dominating. However, the key is, as always, RG3. If he is not healthy I do not see him beating this Seahawks defense. Lets see how he looks on that knee on Sunday.
Matchup to Watch: Seahawks defensive line vs. Redskins offensive line
The Seahawks unit is massive and has superior athleticism. However, the Redskins line fits the system very well and knows their roles. So which will win out, the system or physicality? This should be a fun matchup to watch!
My Pick:
This should be the best game of the weekend as it is filled with great storylines and matchups. However, in the end I am picking Seattle. Their defense gives them a competitive edge and in the end I trust a fully healthy Russell Wilson, over the gimpy RG3, to make the play to win the game.
Bengals Breakdown:
The Bengals come into this game on their first back-to-back winning seasons in years. This game affords them the opportunity to show that they are amongst the game’s elite teams. Their defensive line needs to be the key to the game. They are great at pressuring the passer, but they need to stop the run. Arian Foster tore them up in last year’s playoffs, and that cannot happen again.
Texans Breakdown:
The Texans are coming in about as cold as any team in the league. Matt Schaub especially has been dreadful in losing three out of their last four. Against a ferocious Bengals pass rush; will Schaub be able to come around to his early season form?
Matchup to Watch: Jonathan Joseph vs. AJ Green
Joseph, when healthy, is amongst the best cornerbacks in the league. However, more often than not this year he has not been at top condition. He is expected to be one hundred percent healthy and will do battle with AJ Green. They will need the best out of him on Saturday.
My Pick:
I am taking the Texans here. I know I am in the minority here, but I don’t trust the Bengals in the post season. I believe it will be a repeat of last years playoffs: Dalton will show the weaknesses he possesses and their youth, in general, will show.
Minnesota Vikings (10-6) at Green Bay Packers (11-5)
Vikings Breakdown:
There has to be a ton of confidence amongst the Vikings after beating their rival Packers in week 17. However, will they be able to run Adrian Peterson that well again? How about Christian Ponder? Does he have that type of performance in him again?
Packers Breakdown:
Just like the Vikings must feel confident, the Packers must feel angry. It was apparent with how much intensity that Aaron Rodgers played with he really wanted to keep his division rivals out of the playoffs. He certainly wants to bounce them here as well.
Matchup to Watch: Packers Wide Receivers vs. Vikings secondary
This is the first time since early in the season that the Packers will be fully stocked at the receiver position. With Jennings, Cobb, Nelson and Jones all playing together they certainly pose problems for any secondary. This Vikings group has played much better than anticipated this season and we will see if they are up to the challenge here.
My Pick:
The Vikings will not beat the Packers two weeks in a row. The Packers are just the much superior team and have a better all around roster. I also expect an improving Packer defense, with Charles Woodson returning, will be able to get the best of Ponder.
Indianapolis Colts (11-5) at Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
Colts Breakdown:
The Colts have to like their chances against a Ravens team that slumped into the playoffs. If the Colts can get emotion on their side they certainly have a chance to win. I think their best bet would be to attack this defense with short passes to get the ball out of Andrew Luck’s hands quickly and reduce his turnover chances.
Ravens Breakdown:
The Ravens have their own emotions to play off of as this is likely to be Ray Lewis’ last home game as a Raven. He has been a legend and really personifies Ravens football. This team will no doubt be ready to play for him. It will be up to Flacco to play a good game to get Ray that win.
Matchup to Watch: Ray Rice vs. Colts run defense
The Colts run defense is certainly amongst the weakest parts of their team. Ray Rice and running the football needs to become the focal point of the offense once again to give Flacco favorable passing lanes.
My Pick:
I am going with the Ravens. I just cannot imagine Ray Lewis walking off the field on Sunday as a loser. It just would not be fitting.
Seattle Seahawks (11-5) at Washington Redskins (10-6)
Seahawks Breakdown:
The Seahawks come into this matchup as one of the hottest teams in the league. The face another team that is equally as hot coming in and that actually shares many similarities with them. The key will be for Seattle’s run defense to be a competitive advantage, as this is the part of the game that Seattle should have a clear upper hand.
Redskins Breakdown:
The Redskins are putting it all together. Their run game is great and their defense is also dominating. However, the key is, as always, RG3. If he is not healthy I do not see him beating this Seahawks defense. Lets see how he looks on that knee on Sunday.
Matchup to Watch: Seahawks defensive line vs. Redskins offensive line
The Seahawks unit is massive and has superior athleticism. However, the Redskins line fits the system very well and knows their roles. So which will win out, the system or physicality? This should be a fun matchup to watch!
My Pick:
This should be the best game of the weekend as it is filled with great storylines and matchups. However, in the end I am picking Seattle. Their defense gives them a competitive edge and in the end I trust a fully healthy Russell Wilson, over the gimpy RG3, to make the play to win the game.