NFL Playoffs Week One Predictions: Toddler Style

Last week was a turning point for the boy wonder. He actually went from simply "boy" to "boy wonder."

Walden finished 11-5 last week, picking some gems like the Dolphins over the Jets, the Chargers over the Broncos, and the Texans over the Bears.

The kid had a great week. He channeled his Christmas euphoria into some sound picks and looks to enter the playoffs on a hot streak.

Even with the good week last week, he still wasn't overly excited about picking the games this week. He's no dummy—fewer games mean a much smaller margin for error. It took some convincing. Unlike Favre, he wanted to go out on a high-note.

The gambler that he is, Walden played his hand perfectly and managed to negotiate chocolate for breakfast if he made his picks this week. Of course I caved and Waldenious put on his poker face, grabbed a crayon, and settled in to select his toughest games of the year.

If you've missed the last few weeks, the premise is simple.

The way this system works is Dad, that's me, writes the teams on a piece of paper.

Example: "Patriots at Bills"

Then I hand my son the crayon and he makes his selection. The selection is determined by how long he lingers and scribbles on one team's name or the other.

Got it? Good, let's begin.

Eagles at Vikings

When Walden dances for a team, that means he likes them BIG. Let's just say he did more than a little jig for the Eagles. He can't count yet, so he's unable to provide a score, but he's high on the Eagles.

Walden's pick: Eagles

Ravens at Dolphins

Walden identifies with the rookie head coaches in this match up. Still a rookie himself, at 18-months old, he's literally learning on the job.

Dolphins are friendly and lovable animals. Ravens, thanks to Poe, have a dark and scary persona. Walden's reaching the age where he prefers things a little scarier. He likes dragons and monsters. He prefers roaring to actually speaking. He'll hide behind a door and wait for you.

I think you see where I'm going...

Walden's pick: Ravens

Colts at Chargers

Walden definitely prefers being at home to on the road. He's not much for traveling.

Ever since he got burned by the Chargers over the Chiefs in his upset special in Week 15, he's been going with the Chargers every week. He's riding their hot play like he rides the laundry basket down the hall (yes, that's the current beloved activity. Plastic laundry baskets on wooden floors make for a surprisingly fast ride).

Walden's pick: Chargers

Falcons at Cardinals

It's been an up and down year for Walden and his picks in Falcons' games. He knows whom he should pick, but he's a little too pragmatic for that.

He did everything he could to avoid making this pick. The more he avoided it, the more nervous I got.

He tried to pretend he was playing. He cowered under a chair. He tried to tear up the page. He tried to eat the crayon. None of it worked.

I told him he had to man-up and make the pick.

"Be a man," I said.

One of the few things Walden can say is, "uh-oh."

Guess what he said as he made his pick?

Walden's pick: Cardinals

His picks are in. Though I didn't enforce timeout for his pick against the Falcons, I may consider withholding hot dogs for dinner. It's going to be a plate of peas, carrots, and spinach if he's right. That'll teach him...

As for his other picks, I think he did a solid job: two birds and a lightning bolt (I tried to tell him that cardinals are kind of wimpy).

It's still up in the air on whether he returns for more picks next week. Personally, I think he's holding out for more toys.