NFL Wild Card Picks: How Each Game Would Have Looked in Week 1

There will be some exciting matchups in the first round of the NFL playoffs, but it would be interesting to see how these games would have played out four months ago.

Injuries, momentum and roster changes make some teams look completely different from Week 1 until now.

The season began with Tim Tebow on the bench, the New York Giants fighting through injuries and the Houston Texans close to full strength.

It's amazing how big a difference 17 weeks make.

This is what would happen in each wild-card game, if it took place on opening weekend.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans

The first game of the playoffs features two rookie quarterbacks who took much different paths to the field.

Andy Dalton starting from day one has played as well as any rookie in the past decade not named Cam Newton.

T.J. Yates did not reach the field until injuries to Matt Schaub, and Matt Leinart forced him into action. He played well in the first couple of games but has since been exposed.

However, in Week 1, Dalton was being sheltered in his first career start and threw only 15 passes. The Houston Texans would have veteran Matt Schaub behind center and would be able to spread the field.

The Texans would also have a healthy Mario Williams, and Andre Johnson would not be recovering from an immediate injury. The only player Houston would miss would be Arian Foster, but Ben Tate has done a terrific job this season in stepping into the starting running back role.

The Bengals have a good chance of pulling the upset this weekend, but in Week 1, the Texans were a more complete team.

Texans 24  Bengals  10

Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints

The biggest difference between the real game and the hypothetical one would be momentum.

Few teams are entering the NFL playoffs as hot as the New Orleans Saints and their eight-game winning streak.

However, in September, the Detroit Lions were in charge. No one believed in the Lions or took them seriously until the game was over.

The defense was also much more fearful before giving 45 points to Matt Flynn and the Green Bay Packers in Week 17.

A game between these two teams would be closer, but Drew Brees is still Drew Brees. The Saints still scored 104 points in the first three games against the Packers, Chicago Bears and Houston Texans.

Detroit would not be able to slow down the Saints offense in any dome, either home or away.

The return of running back Jahvid Best would probably add a touchdown for the Lions, but it will still not be enough.

Saints 38  Lions 31

Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants

Both of these teams had unexplained losses in Week 1.

The New York Giants lost to the Washington Redskins (which they did twice this season), while the Atlanta Falcons dropped a road game against the Chicago Bears. After a long season, each of these games can be written off as a fluke.

New York was missing Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck on the defensive line. That was a big deal at the time, but it was before Jason Pierre-Paul burst on the scene and made himself into a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

The other breakout star for the Giants was receiver Victor Cruz, and he was buried on the depth chart when the season began.

With no teams having any major injuries at this point, the game would come down to—as it will this weekend—how each inconsistent quarterback will perform.

Matt Ryan and Eli Manning are both capable of throwing multiple touchdowns as well as multiple interceptions. Whichever one comes out the best will lead his team to victory.

Giants 27  Falcons 24

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos

No playoff team looks more different from Week 1 to now than the Denver Broncos.

Not only was Kyle Orton the starting quarterback over Tim Tebow, but Knowshon Moreno started at running back, and Brandon Lloyd was the top receiver.

Orton and Lloyd are no longer with the team, and the Broncos have done well with what's left. Demaryius Thomas looks like a good young receiver, and Willis McGahee showed that there's still some left in the tank at running back. Not to mention the fan-favorite Tebow winning in comeback fashion multiple times.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were embarrassed in Week 1 by the Baltimore Ravens, but they were a much better team than the Broncos at that time.

There also were not as many injury problems as there are heading into the playoffs, with running back Rashard Mendenhall and safety Ryan Clark on the sidelines.

This matchup might be a good game this weekend, but it would have been a slaughter four months ago.

Steelers 31  Broncos 14