Sunday Wild Card Predictions: Packers Stay Hot

Sunday features two of the best matchups of the weekend.

The Patriots square off in what looks like a heavyweight boxing match against the Baltimore Ravens, and the Packers get a rematch against the damaged Arizona Cardinals.

These games feature some of the most exciting players in the game today including Tom Brady, Ray Rice, Aaron Rodgers, Kurt Warner, Charles Woodson, Randy Moss, and Larry Fitzgerald.

These games will be very physical and close, as all four teams have their strengths and weaknesses.

Here are my predictions for Sunday:

Baltimore at New England

Prediction: New England 21, Baltimore 17

The Patriots have not lost a game at home since last year and will be very tough to beat, even without play-making receiver Wes Welker. The Ravens secondary is very vulnerable and banged up, but still dangerous.

The Pats will try and take out the Ravens' best player in Ray Rice and if they do, they will probably win the game. The Ravens will try and give Rice as many touches as they can and will split him out at wide receiver at times.

The Rice/Willis McGahee running combo is very dangerous and if the Ravens are to win the game, they will have to ride their running game. However, the Patriots' run defense is very stiff, with the returns of Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren.

Joe Flacco showed some playoff magic last year, but it's always a challenge walking into Foxborough and beating the Patriots.

The Patriots are also banged up, but rookie wide receiver Julian Edelman will do a great job of filling in for Welker and will open things up for Randy Moss and veteran running back Kevin Faulk.

The Ravens will keep it close, but Tom Brady will work his playoff magic and throw a late touchdown to win the game. This is a very tough game to predict, given the injuries to both teams, but I'll take Tom Brady and the Pats at home.

Green Bay at Arizona

Prediction: Green Bay 24, Arizona 17

This should be a great game and will be close to the end.

This is also a very tough game to predict, since the Arizona Cardinals thrive when their backs are against the wall. Every time you count out Kurt Warner and the Cardinals, they always bounce back. They did it last year and could do it against this year.

But Green Bay is playing too tough right now. They are playing well on all cylinders and are the more balanced team.

The Cardinals are dealing with too many injuries right now, with Anquan Boldin likely out and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie dealing with a knee contusion.

The Packers have one loss since losing to the Tampa Bay Bucs on Nov. 8, and are coming into the playoffs on an absolute roll. The playoffs are all about momentum and after today's games, it looks like the hot teams are staying hot.

The New York Jets came into Saturday's game riding a two-game winning streak and upset the Bengals in Cincinnati. The Cowboys were riding a three-game winning streak before demolishing the Philadelphia Eagles in Dallas.

Can the Packers maintain the momentum and confidence on Sunday? I think so and Aaron Rodgers will have his coming-out party and pick apart the Cardinals defense. Ryan Grant will also keep the offense balanced with a big game.

Kurt Warner will keep pace with Rodgers, but the Packers defense will be too much for him and the loss of Boldin will also have a significant impact. The Cardinals have not faced many 3-4 defenses, and it will confuse Warner and force him to throw it before he needs to.

The Packers will keep their Super Bowl dreams alive with a victory in Arizona.