NFL Playoffs: Predictions For a Wild(card) Weekend

So wild card weekend is upon us, now that we have college out of the way(roll tide). Here are my takes on the games to come, and outcomes for the first round of the NFL playoffs.

1. Ravens @ Patriots- I am going to say that offense is going to be lacking for one side of this quarrel. The recent loss of Brady's go to guy Welker will takes it's toll on a Patriots offense that has shown some weakness this season. With Brady only having 1 major target left in Moss, you can bet he is going to have to rely on a running game that has been less than stellar this season.

On the other side of this fight, the Ravens should have a hay day throwing up and down the field on a Patriots defense that's, well lets face it, more than a little seasoned. Flacco has plenty of offensive weapons, and despite age problems of their own, the Baltimore defense is still one of the premiere defenses in the league.

Prediction- Ravens 24, Patriots 17

2. Jets at Bengals- This game should look completely different than we all saw last Sunday. While the Jets have an amazing defense, I think that there offense will not be able to get it done. Reasons? Inexperience. Sanchez is a rookie, and has proved more often than not that he can make rookie mistakes. Under pressure? I think so.

Now lets talk about the home team in this one, the Bengals. Carson Palmer has shown over time that even though his team isn't always the best, he is still an elite quarterback. The other big story of this team, the amazing comeback of Cedric Benson. For a guy that was told by the Bears to take a hike, he has done very well in his new found home.

Prediction- Jets 13, Bengals 21

3. Packers at Cardinals- This should be one heck of a game either way. With Rodgers getting his starting line healthy, and staying upright instead of on his back is going to be huge. I know that Rodgers is out in every game having the time of his life. Also having the likely Defensive Player of the Year on your team too is going to help.

Cardinals are going to be a different story. You have a Quarterback that has been to 3 Super Bowls, won 1 of them, and you have one of the elite wide receivers on your team, you have a great chance of winning games. Oh and did I mention, that quarterback had the most yards ever thrown in Super Bowl history? The biggest thing in this game is who's defense will play better than the other, as offensive production will not be a problem.

Prediction- Packers 24, Cardinals 21

4. Game of the weekend, Eagles at Cowboys- Out of all three rematches from week 17 this weekend, this one should be the best. Division rivals dueling it out. The Eagles have a resemblance of that Eagles team we saw in the Super Bowl against the Patriots all those years ago. They are young, mostly, and are full of talent. Jackson and Maclin should be the game changers in this one. Westbrook and McNabb will be themselves as usual, pretty darn good.

Unfortunately, I can't see the Cowboys winning this game. I wouldn't mind seeing them prove me wrong, but they never have in the past. Romo has secured his place as the greatest choker, a role that Peyton Manning shed after winning Super Bowl XLI. Just don't let Romo be the place holder for the kicker, and you may have a chance. I like this Dallas team, they are full of talent, but for some reason the talent gets left at home every year in the 1st round of the playoffs.

Perdiction- Eagles 28, Cowboys 24

Well there you have it, my predictions for the opening weekend of the playoffs. I wouldn't go betting money on my picks, but there are some valid points in here. Check back next week to see my predictions for week 2. Thanks for stopping by.