NFL Wildcard Weekend…

Posted on | January 9, 2010 | No Comments

This weekend has been one of my favorite weekend a couple of times the last few years. Either the Chargers are playing or they are on a bye week, and we get to watch 2 potential contenders get eliminated without lifting a finger. This year is the latter. The San Diego Chargers finished second in the AFC behind the Indianapolis Colts, both receiving a first round bye.

The Wild Card match ups this week feature three rematches from the previous week and a divisional match up. They are all teams that are familiar with each other, so there should be a lot of action, and a whole lot of strategy by the head coaches.

The Match Ups

#4 Cincinnati Bengals vs. #5 New York Jets
This is the first of the previous week match ups. The Jets dominated the game last week, but the Bengals were very vanilla, not showing anything. the Jets #1 Defense and Head Coach Rex Ryan will have his handful this week, as the Bengals pull out all the stops, against a weaker New York Jets team. Bengals win and travel to Indy.

#3 New England Patriots vs. #6 Baltimore Ravens
This probably is the toughest game to pick. New England is favored by a field goal, but they are also at home, so that means jack squash. Wes Welker, New England’s Wide Receiver (and former Charger Kick Return Specialist) left the game last week with an ACL and MCL injury. Neither team has been exceptional this year, but I expect the Baltimore defense to dominate and second year quarter back Joey Flacco to take a win, and pack their bags to San Diego.

#3 Dallas Cowboys vs. #6 Philadelphia Eagles
The Cowboys wiped out the Eagles last weekend in Philadelphia. No easy task, but they also beat the Eagles earlier in the season at the new Cowboy Stadium. Philadelphia Andy Reid is nearly perfect in the first round of the playoffs, and Dallas Quarterback Tony Romo has yet to win a play off game, but I expect both of those things to change this weekend. Dallas is getting hot at the right time. Dallas wins.

#4 Phoenix Cardinals vs. #5 Green Bay Packers
Another previous week match up, which the Packers won, easily. I would normally say, who cares about this game, either teams will be eliminated next week, but the Cardinals proved me wrong last year, and found their way to a Super Bowl. For that reason alone, I like the veteran Kurt Warner and the Phoenix Cardinals to send the Pack home, ending their season.

There you have it. If I was in Vegas this is where my bets would fall. I’m anxiously awaiting the results of the games to determine who the Chargers, Colts, Vikings and Saints will match up against in the divisional round.