NFL Playoff Predictions: Breaking Down Round One of the Postseason

NFL playoff predictions are here and we're breaking down each team and each matchup in the first round so you know what to look for as we head into Wild Card weekend.

We'll be talking about the biggest strengths and weaknesses for each team and then giving you a prediction for each matchup along the way. It has been a wild season and it's time to get ready for an even more wild postseason.

Any thoughts or comments? Make sure to leave them below.

New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints avoids a tackle by Adam Hayward #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Ima

Biggest Strengths

It starts and ends with Drew Brees and that offense. However, Brees needs to have his wideouts help him out and they didn't at times yesterday. If it hits their hands, it has to be a catch. Balls have been tipped and turned into picks and it's just not running the same as it was last year for New Orleans. Brees is deadly, though, and that offense can put points up in a hurry.

Glaring Weaknesses

The Saints have issues in the defense and they've reared their head a couple of times this season. New Orleans didn't have a great defense last year and it's something that hasn't gotten any better this year. The Saints rely on being around the ball to make plays and if that doesn't happen, it could be a long, long day for New Orleans.

Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Mike Williams #17 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball after a catch against the St. Louis Rams during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Imag

Biggest Strengths

Seattle isn't a team of many strengths, other than it has a young defense that can come up with some key stops and make some big plays. Now, it isn't a shut-down unit by any means, but it can come up with big plays at big times to help the Seahawks win football games.

Biggest Weaknesses

The Seahawks have issues at quarterback, running back, pretty much the entire offense. It's not a team that's going to put up a lot of points on the board and coming into a game against the Saints, it's not a good recipe for success, because there's no way that Seattle can go score for score with Drew Brees and company.

Prediction

The Saints were going to win this game no matter who they played from the NFC West. New Orleans is simply a better team and there's no way Brees is going to lose this game. Look for New Orleans to jump out on Seattle early and never let up.

New Orleans 38, Seattle 10

New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Mark Sanchez #6 hands off to Joe McKnight #25 of the New York Jets against the Buffalo Bills at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

Greatest Strengths

It starts with the defense for the Jets. Rex Ryan has that defense ready to go and with Darrelle Revis locking down one side of the field, it's going to be hard for any team to get down the field on New York. Not only that, but the Jets have some targets for Mark Sanchez to throw to like Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Dustin Keller.

Glaring Weaknesses

Mark Sanchez is a big question mark heading into the postseason. He's had some good games and some really bad ones this year and it depends on what Sanchez we're going to get. Also, LaDainian Tomlinson is a bit of a question mark as well. What can New York get out of him and will it have to rely on Shonn Greene to carry the load?

Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass the ball during NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Biggest Strengths

We all know it's Peyton Manning. He's done a masterful job this season under center and helped lead the Colts back to the playoffs through an injury-plagued season. To go along with that, the Colts have a defensive line that will get after the quarterback and force throws a little bit quicker than an offense would normally like.

Glaring Weaknesses

Indianapolis isn't a very deep team at this point. Injuries have done a lot to the Colts and it's an assorted cast of characters at this juncture. The running game has always been suspect for Indy and that hasn't changed this year, either.

Prediction

It's hard for me to bet against Peyton Manning at home in a playoff game even if Rex Ryan is already predicting a Super Bowl win. I think the Colts get this one done and move on to the next round.

Indianapolis 27, New York 13

Kansas City Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Running back Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by linebacker Rolando McClain #55 of the Oakland Raiders in a game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey

Biggest Strengths

For Kansas City, it's the offense. Matt Cassel has turned his year around and had a monster season throwing to Dwayne Bowe. Then again, it's easy to throw down the field when you have a guy like Jamaal Charles in the backfield tearing things up. Then if he goes out, Thomas Jones comes in and can tear you apart too.

Glaring Weaknesses

Kansas City is an inexperienced team and we saw that on Sunday against Oakland. Kansas City looked flat and uninspired and it was an ugly way to go into the playoffs. The Chiefs have some holes on defense but it's that youth and inexperience that I'd worry about if I'm a Chiefs fan heading into Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens talks to his wide receivers Derrick Mason #85 and Anquan Boldin #81 during a timeout against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Caro

Biggest Strengths

For me, it's the amount of weapons the Ravens have to pick you apart on offense. There are guys like Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason, Ray Rice and Todd Heap that can beat you on any given play, and that's what makes Baltimore so dangerous. It's just a matter of those weapons clicking and firing at the same time. There's also a lot of veteran leadership on this roster.

Glaring Weaknesses

The defense has struggled at times and so has the offense. The Ravens will go into these slumps they can't get out of and it's something you have to be worried about if you're a fan. However, this is the playoffs and if you can't get fired up for that, then there's something wrong with you.

Prediction

In the end, I think the veteran Ravens overcome the inexperienced Chiefs and get a big win to move on and take on the Patriots in the divisional round.

Baltimore 29, Kansas City 17

Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rolls out of the pocket against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Biggest Strengths

Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews are the two biggest playmakers for the Green Bay Packers and they make the offense and defense go. Rodgers has been masterful this year in running the offense with limited weapons, and Matthews has been making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks all season long. Matthews terrorized the Eagles last time around and Philly will have its hands full this time as well.

Glaring Weakneses

There's a lack of depth for the Packers and that's because injuries have really hurt Green Bay this season. Not only that, but with Ryan Grant out since the start of the season, Brandon Jackson hasn't really stepped up and filled the void for Green Bay. The running game will be a major issue if the Packers are looking to run the clock out.

Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Biggest Strengths

Philadelphia's biggest strengths are in its playmaking. On offense you have Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy that can all break off a big play at any time for a touchdown. On defense, a guy like Asante Samuel can change a game with a huge interception and turn momentum in Philly's favor.

Glaring Weaknesses

The offensive line is horrible. It really is. Some of it is on Michael Vick for not picking up the blitz, but they need to block someone, anyone at this point. They got Kevin Kolb killed earlier in the year and now Michael Vick is limping around with a quad bruise. Not only that, but Philly has had some issues in the secondary this year and are pretty banged up on defense.

Prediction

While my gut is telling me that Green Bay is going to win this game, I can't fight the feeling that the Eagles will pull this one off. I think Vick will make enough plays to get the Eagles in position to win the game. It should be a beauty.

Philadelphia 31, Green Bay 30