NFL Playoff Predictions: Predicting Scores for Every Wild Card Matchup

Get excited, football fans, as the playoffs are finally upon us. After what was an absolutely ridiculous, crazy, and incredibly entertaining 17 weeks of football, we have finally reached the postseason. 

This weekend's Wild Card Round features intriguing matchups that should only continue the madness we've seen all season. Here are my predictions for how those games will turn out.

Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at Houston Texans (10-6)

God must really hate the Houston Texans. First it was Arian Foster, then Andre Johnson missing time with hamstring injuries, then, in succession, Mario Williams, Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart ended up on injured reserve. Now, T.J. Yates has a shoulder injury and Houston may be down to its fourth-string quarterback in Jake Delhomme.

What's next, Brian Cushing getting struck by lightning as he goes in for a tackle? At this point, it wouldn't surprise me.

Still, even with those injuries and considering that the Texans lost three straight to end the season, I believe they can come away with their first win in their first playoff game in franchise history.

The Bengals have an excellent defense, but they stumbled down the stretch, losing five of their last eight games, and those three wins came against the Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals.

Houston will pound the ball with Arian Foster and Ben Tate, and if Yates does play, he will be steady enough to get things done.

Houston 24, Cincinnati 20

Detroit Lions (10-6) at New Orleans Saints (13-3)

This one will be short and sweet. The Saints are playing as well as anyone in the league right now. They have won eight straight games, and quarterback Drew Brees has been dominant. 

The Lions backed into the playoffs by losing to the Green Bay Packers, 45-41, with Matt Flynn at quarterback. If Flynn could do that to the Lions, what is Brees going to do? 

At home in the dome, the Saints will roll on to the next round.

New Orleans 38, Detroit 28

Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at New York Giants (9-7)

The Giants snuck into the playoffs by beating the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 on Sunday night, while the Falcons annihilated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 45-24 with their spot in the postseason already locked in. 

I like the way Atlanta has been playing of late, winning five of their last seven, and those losses came against the Texans and Saints. 

New York won its last two games, but before that, they had lost five of six. Eli Manning has come through in the clutch this season, and the Giants will be playing at home. Still, I think Matt Ryan will finally earn his first playoff victory.

Atlanta 34, New York (Giants) 28

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) at Denver Broncos (8-8)

Anyone else really excited for the "Tim Tebow is in the playoffs" hype? Ugh. Tebow and the Broncos backed into the playoffs, losing three straight games in horrendous fashion. In each contest, Tebow looked awful, and he was facing mediocre defenses.

He won't have that luxury this weekend, as the Steelers will bring the league's best defense to Denver. They are allowing just 271.8 yards per game this season.

This should be a rout, the Broncos aren't playing like a playoff team and Tebow isn't performing like a postseason quarterback.

Pittsburgh 35, Denver 10