NFL Preview – Wild Card

Jets @ Bengals, Saturday 4:30pm
Ahad: The Bengals might as well have stayed home last week instead of going to New Jersey. They had nothing to gain in the game and pretty much gave it to the Jets to setup a rematch. The weather isn’t supposed to be good for this one, so look for the defenses and running games to dominate. The Jets defense is nasty and Revis is capable of shutting down any receiver one on one, but for some reason my gut feeling that you don’t win with rookie quarterbacks in the playoffs. At some point, Sanchez will have to make a play and will come up small. Pick: Bengals
Mike: Ahad mentioned my key point, but did it last. Sanchez is at QB. Pick: Bengals
Matt: Take 2. The Jets dominated last week but the Bengals didn’t really show up as they had nothing to play for really. The Bengals have lost 4 of their last 7 while the Jets come in winning 5 of their last 6. Both teams concern me on offense, but both defenses have been pretty stout throughout the season. With Ahad mentioning bad weather for this game, the team that can run the ball and play the best defense will win the game. Despite Sanchez’s inexperience, I am liking the Jets. The Bengals just don’t impress me all that much. Pick: Jets
Evan: The problem with the Bengals strategy last week is that it creates this culture of losing, that is not something you can just turn on and off. I think the Jets hear everyone saying how they are going to lose just because the Bengals actually want to win this week. I think the Jets running game wins this. Pick: Jets

Eagles @ Cowboys, Saturday 8pm
Ahad: Any momentum the Eagles had from their winning streak was crushed last week. The Cowboys dominated the game. The loss of Jackson at center was huge for the Eagles. The Eagles played poorly in all facets of the game and that is a huge reason for concern. There are a lot of problems that need to be fixed. I just don’t know how a team can fix all of those in a week. For the Eagles to win, they will have to be able to get lots of pressure on Romo and force him into turning the ball over. I just don’t know if that is going to happen. In 2 games this season against the Cowboys, the Eagles defense has not been able to get pressure. One would expect to see more blitzes, but quick hitting running plays can neutralize that. If the Eagles lose this game it might be the end of the McNabb era. The best scenario for the Eagles would be to get an early lead and then let the Cowboys beat themselves because of the pressure of not having won a playoff game since 1996. My head is telling me that Eagles cannot get things together in a week. Pick: Cowboys (Let’s make it clear that I am rooting for the Eagles).
Mike: Need to get Ahad talking? Bring up the Eagles. The hope is that they got a little behind and just gave up mentally. Right off the bat for the game last week I quickly was reminded that this Eagles D does not match up well with the Cowboys. The Eagles LBs are just weak against good TEs and it’s a concern when the RB gets to that second level. What surprised me last week was how much the Cowboys WRs got involved. The Eagles are still a good team overall and even terrible Eagles teams stood up to those Super Bowl winning Cowboys teams. I am going with Ahad’s thinking with the pick. Pick: Cowboys
Matt: Take 3. I am extremely nervous for this game. The fact that both of you picked the Cowboys makes even more nervous. All I know is that beating a team 3 times in one season is a tall task, even though history says otherwise. The game will be much more competitive than last week, so the Cowboys should be ready for the Eagles best shot. Obviously, there is the pressure of winning a playoff game for the Cowboys, but this team seems up to the task. I think it was clear this season, and particularly last week, that the Cowboys are a better team than the Eagles, and the Eagles just don’t match up well. The Cowboys just need to match the Eagles intensity and execute on both sides of the ball, and they should come out on top. Pick: Cowboys
Evan: Wow, somebody needs to pick the Eagles. I will fall on the sword: Pick: Eagles

Ravens @ Patriots, Sunday 1pm
Ahad: The Welker injury is huge. He is more important to that offense than Moss. This Patriots team is no where near as good as the ones from previous years. With that being said, they should be able to get by the Ravens who have struggled on offense. The only way the Ravens win is if Ray Rice goes crazy. Despite the Welker injury, the Pats survive this week. Pick: Pats
Mike: Brady back in the playoffs, it will be just like old times. Pick: Patriots
Matt: Take 2. The Ravens felt that they got robbed by the officials in the earlier matchup with the Patriots, so they are back for revenge. The injury to Welker is big as Ahad said, but apparently, Randy Moss has been hobbling around this week, too. It would seriously limit the Patriots passing game if he was less than 100 percent plus no Welker. I think the Ravens are the type of team that could pull off the upset here, but the Patriots and Tom Brady have been so tough at home. Ray Rice will get his yards, but Flacco will have to make a few plays in the passing game. I think the Ravens D will make a big play that will turn the game in their favor. Pick: Ravens
Evan: Pats will be firing on all cylinders. Flacco isn’t ready yet. Pick: Pats

Packers @ Cards, Sunday 4:40pm
Ahad: This Cardinals team is dangerous, especially at home. Warner is a proven playoff quarterback who will find a way to win this game. Green Bay has done nothing to impress me and I don’t like Rodgers. Pick: Cards
Mike: The Packers are going to get me but the Cards proved it last year and Warner has proved it plenty. Pick: Cardinals
Matt: Take 3 (they played in the preseason). Green Bay is a dangerous team, too. I think this may be the best game of the weekend. I think that Warner and Fitzgerald must play lights out to have a chance in this game. The Packers enter the postseason as possibly the 2nd hottest team in the league. They are clicking on all cylinders right now and are well balanced. The Cardinals have the experience from the playoffs last season, but I am having a hard time seeing them winning this game. The Packers take it and remain a darkhorse for the Super Bowl. Pick: Packers
Evan: I like Warner one more time, but this is it. Pick: Cardinals