NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Round

[justanewguy]

Predictions? Thoughts?

Here are mine:

Atlanta at Arizona: Hard to pick Arizona here, even at home. Although it looks like the Cardinals may have remembered how to play football in Week 17, Atlanta is a better all around team. A soft defense should allow Matt Ryan to pick up a win in his first NFL playoff game. Arizona only has a chance if their offense cruises early and forces the Falcons to play from behind. Way behind. Whoever wins will get destroyed next week. Falcons 27, Cardinals 21.

Indianapolis at San Diego: This is the only game I would put a lock on. San Diego did look great at the end of the season by winning four in a row and destroying Tampa and Denver, but the Colts looked even better by winning NINE in a row, including a win at San Diego. The Colts are too good on offense and defense for the Chargers. I believe Indy is the only team playing this weekend that stands any sort of chance in the next round. Colts 41, Chargers 20.

Baltimore at Miami: Miami is fun to watch, but outside of their Week 3 victory over New England, their average margin of victory is 5.8 points. The only teams that beat the Ravens soundly this season were the Colts and Giants, two excellent teams. Both teams were equally hot down the stretch, both teams seem to know how to win a game, but I don't think Miami will be able to move the ball that well against the Raven defense. This looks like it could be the best game of the bunch. Ravens 17, Dolphins 10.

Philadelphia at Minnesota: Tough one to pick... Two very inconsistent teams. The only good teams the Vikings beat this season were the Panthers in Week 3 and the Giants' bench in Week 17. The Eagles don't impress me either. This should be good football nonetheless, and there's a lot of talent on the field. A big game from either running back would more or less win the game. I give the Eagles the edge because they can throw the ball, and they have a better defense. Eagles 28, Vikings 17.

Most games should be good, but I see all these teams getting pounded in the Divisional round, except for the Colts.

I've gone with all four favorites. It's interesting that all four road teams are the favorites. I guess this is what happens with you have 3 terrible divisions and all the winners get to play at home.

[raveneye217]

May not agree with every final score meaning points wise, however, I agree with all your picks.


LETS GO RAVENS!

[etothep]

4 favs, way to go out on a limb

eagles, chargers, cards, ravens for me

[rockiesfan4ever]

I agree with Justanewguy

[dickay]

Atlanta at Arizona: AZ will stack the box and attempt to contain Turner, who will be used early and often. If they can have success against Turner and get their offense on the field they will win handily. If Atlanta takes an early lead and has success pounding Turner, it'll be a tight game. Either way, i'm taking Arizona. They'll have success early against Turner, and put Atlanta in a whole making them have to throw the ball. AZ in a yawner which will be closer in score than the actual play: Arizona 35 - Atlanta 27

Indianapolis at San Diego: This one solely depends on which LT shows, the injured or the healthy. I think the reports of injury are enough to scare me off. If he's healthy, it'll be very tight and I'd strongly consider taking SD...but he's not healthy and Indy will win with surprisingly average numbers from Manning as Indy will take the lead early and run effectively: Indy 27 - SD 16

Baltimore at Miami: The bore bowl....this game will be two teams whose QB's both have horrific days. Which defenses capitilize the most off of mistakes will win. Dice is going with Baltimore in a sloppy win: Balt 20 - Miami 13

Philadelphia at Minnesota: I'm a homer fan...so this is tough to do unbiasly, but I really see Philly blitzing as they get off the bus and poor Tavaris Jackson will be benched by halftime. Philly's defense is hot and the team is playing with urgency although yes they are very inconsistent (see Wash. two weeks ago). That monster won't surface here though and Philly will end their former Offensive Coordinators Brad Childress's job as Head Coach of the Vikings by beating them handily: Philly 38 - Minn 17 (thats if the current forecast holds which calls for cold weather of 0-10 degrees but no precipitation and relatively quiet wind. if that changes philly will still hold out and win but look for a lower score....something like 24-6)

[TheNamelessPoet]

AZ over Atl
Indy Over SD
Miami over BAlt
Philly over Minny

guess I better root for minny lol so I can go 0-for

[raveneye217]

AZ over Atl
Indy Over SD
Miami over BAlt
Philly over Minny

we'll have to see about that

[TheNamelessPoet]

we'll have to see about that

honestly im pulling for Miami but I think it could go either way

[raveneye217]

I know its going to be close, hopefully ravens will pull out a close one.

[ragecage]

If you are a gambling man, I would pick the visitor against the spread. Home teams have not fared well over the last few years.

[EVEN11323]

Atlanta at Arizona: AZ will stack the box and attempt to contain Turner, who will be used early and often. If they can have success against Turner and get their offense on the field they will win handily. If Atlanta takes an early lead and has success pounding Turner, it'll be a tight game. Either way, i'm taking Arizona. They'll have success early against Turner, and put Atlanta in a whole making them have to throw the ball. AZ in a yawner which will be closer in score than the actual play: Arizona 35 - Atlanta 27

Indianapolis at San Diego: This one solely depends on which LT shows, the injured or the healthy. I think the reports of injury are enough to scare me off. If he's healthy, it'll be very tight and I'd strongly consider taking SD...but he's not healthy and Indy will win with surprisingly average numbers from Manning as Indy will take the lead early and run effectively: Indy 27 - SD 16

Baltimore at Miami: The bore bowl....this game will be two teams whose QB's both have horrific days. Which defenses capitilize the most off of mistakes will win. Dice is going with Baltimore in a sloppy win: Balt 20 - Miami 13

Philadelphia at Minnesota: I'm a homer fan...so this is tough to do unbiasly, but I really see Philly blitzing as they get off the bus and poor Tavaris Jackson will be benched by halftime. Philly's defense is hot and the team is playing with urgency although yes they are very inconsistent (see Wash. two weeks ago). That monster won't surface here though and Philly will end their former Offensive Coordinators Brad Childress's job as Head Coach of the Vikings by beating them handily: Philly 38 - Minn 17 (thats if the current forecast holds which calls for cold weather of 0-10 degrees but no precipitation and relatively quiet wind. if that changes philly will still hold out and win but look for a lower score....something like 24-6)

Um, what? I think you're mistaking us with a team that plays real, outdoor football.

- ATL over ARZ (Arizona ain't that great)
- MIA over BAL (Really is a toss up IMO)
- MIN over PHI (Because I have to believe)
- IND over SD (Will be decided on a last 5 minute score)

[justanewguy]

If you are a gambling man, I would pick the visitor against the spread. Home teams have not fared well over the last few years.

The spreads are really, really low, too.

Many books aren't even putting out a spread for the Indy/SD game.

[Arctic Blast]

Atlanta 28 Arizona 17. The Cardinals can't play the run, so Turner will keep Warner and the boys off the field.

Miami 17 Baltimore 15. Really close looking game. Only picking Miami because they're at home.

Minnesota 21 Philadelphia 17. Eagles can't stop the run.

Indianapolis 31 San Diego 17. Chargers can't stop the pass.

[bucher34]

Warner is going to pass all over Atlanta. IMO this game is a toss up, but I feel like Arizona has more weapons on offense (3 1,000 yard receivers ARE YOU KIDDING ME!) To keep Arizona in check Atlanta would have to stop all three - along with Urban. I don't think they can do it. Arizona has relied on the pass all season and it got them to this point. Arizona 31, Atlanta 20.

Miami doesn't stand a chance against Baltimore. People think this will be a close game, but Baltimore defense is going to give Miami fits. Pennington has a bad game, Brown and Williams don't fare well and Baltimore rolls behind the arm of Joe Flacco. Baltimore 24, Miami 10.

This should be a close one, but I think Philadelphia will pull out the win versus Minnesota. The Vikes hardly ever fare well in the playoffs and Philly has many of the core players that were there for the NFC championship games. I'll take McNabb and Westbrook over Jackson and Peterson. Philly 24, Minnesota 17.

San Diego knocked Indianapolis out of the playoffs last year, but Indianapolis will get revenge this year. I think San Diego will make it close as they've lost A TON of close games all season, but won't be able to pull it out as the Colts are too talented on both sides of the ball. Indy 34, San Diego 27.

[Swampdog]

In the last 30 years, since 1978, there have only been 11 home underdogs in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs. The road favorite has failed to cover the pointspread in 9 of the 11 games. If you're a bettor, the home dog has been gold.