NFL Playoff Predictions: Don't Let the Final Week Sway Good Judgment

Two blowout games in the final week of the regular season will have people licking their chops to bet on Cincinnati or Green Bay in the wild card round of the playoffs.

But beware, all who enter the valley of the sun.

Arizona, late afternoon, and the crowd is freaking out. Kurt Warner is zinging passes all over the place, and Beanie Wells looks like an all-star. If the Cardinals zip out to one of those 21-0 deals, the Pack is done.

I will take the team that was one play away from a ring rather than the Packers, to whom fate will not be so cruel as to see Brett Favre once more in the playoffs. Arizona by eight to 10 points.

The Cincinnati Bengals will rally once more for their coach and fallen teammate.

This matchup is seasoned veteran Carson Palmer against freshman Mark Sanchez. All the difference I need. The last game was silly.

This game will be nothing like the last one, and teams that back into the playoffs the way the Jets did seldom go deep into the postseason. Take the Bengals by four points.

Philadelphia played possum last week and showed Dallas nothing. Never bet against a streak until it is over. Take Dallas to lose at home and again fail to record its first playoff win since 1995.

Wade Phillips is history, and perhaps a Brian Billick type would be a wise next move for Jerry Jones. Sorry, Cowboys... maybe next season.

Baltimore made it to the second round last season and then lost. This team has improved, especially Joe Flacco. The running game can be really good at times, which New England may have trouble with.

Brady has three cracked ribs and a bad thumb, and perhaps without Wes Welker, he will be forced to throw to not so sure a target. In short, the Ravens win this game by a field goal or maybe two.

Arizona will lose in round two on the road. 

I think it will all play out so the final four will be Indianapolis playing San Diego, while Minnesota will take on New Orleans for the respective division titles.

Your Super Bowl prediction is Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings take on Philip Rivers and the Chargers.

You guessed it, Brett Favre wins the Super Bowl at age 40 and cements his legacy as one of the top five greatest quarterbacks of all time.

I love being right.

Thomas [NFL Mike] Moreland