2011 NFL Playoff Picture: 10 Predictions for the Wild Card Round

So here we are, heading into the NFL playoffs starting Jan. 8.

There's some good matchups for the first round of the playoffs, as the the Philadelphia Eagles host the Green Bay Packers, the Indianapolis Colts host the New York Jets, and the Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens.

And no, I don't think the New Orleans Saints-Seattle Seahawks game will be a good matchup.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Michael Vick?

The youthful Chiefs vs. the veteran Ravens?

Peyton Manning vs. the Jets' defense?

Don't call the police if you don't see me for a while, I'll just be watching the first round.

Here are my 10 Predictions for the Wild Card Round.

10. Reggie Bush Will Have a Big Game

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints in action during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Unless New Orleans Saints running backs Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas come back from the dead (both are on injured reserve), I expect Reggis Bush to be used prominently be the Saints.

Bush had nine carries for 70 yards and five catches for 55 yards in the Saints' loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17; by far his best game in his injury-shortened 2010 season.

He's steadily regaining his footing. He may already have.

The Seattle Seahawks are bad in pretty much every phase of defense.

Bush should be able to break out for a big game.

9. Peyton Manning Will Struggle vs. the Jets

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off of the field after throwing an interception during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Char

Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning has been on fire lately, with nine touchdowns to just two interceptions in his last four games (all wins).

The New York Jets haven't been themselves lately, evidenced by giving up four total touchdowns to Jay Cutler against the Chicago Bears in Week 16.

But the team is too talented on the defensive side of the ball to continue like this.

I expect them to get their act together and play well against Manning and the Colts.

Although Manning has only two interceptions in his last four games, both of them came against the Oakland Raiders—the only good pass defense of the teams he played.

8. Peyton Manning Will Throw Two Interceptions vs. the Jets

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts watches his teammates before the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Not only will Peyton Manning struggle, I see him throwing two picks against the New York Jets.

I could see this game paralleling the Raiders game, where Manning throws two interceptions but also throws three touchdowns.

Although I feel Manning is playing much better lately, I also don't think his interceptions woes are over (hey, at least he's not Eli Manning).

7. Jamaal Charles Will Gain Over 100 All-Purpose Yards vs. the Ravens

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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

The Baltimore Ravens are in the bottom half of the league in passing defense, so Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles has that going for him (he has 468 yards receiving this season).

He's also averaging 6.4 yards per carry on 230 rushes, which is unreal.

Despite the Ravens playing stellar rush defense recently, I could see Charles having a decent game on the ground as well.

Charles hasn't had less than 4.0 yards per carry since Week 10 and played pretty well against a good rush defense in San Diego.

6. Aaron Rodgers Will Pass for Three TDs

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

In case you haven't noticed, Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has been electric since coming back from his concussion.

In two games since his return against good defenses in the New York Giants and Chicago Bears, Rodgers has thrown five touchdowns to one interception.

Despite being able to create a good amount of turnovers as a defense, the Philadelphia Eagles still give up too many points and are tied for second in the NFL with 31 touchdown passes allowed.

I don't see Rodgers and the Packers having trouble scoring points against this unit.

5. Michael Vick Will Have Two Turnovers

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

Whether it be two interceptions or an interception and a lost fumble, I see Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick continuing his turnover-prone ways.

To think, saying Vick was turnover-prone just six games ago would be a preposterous statement.

But things have changed for Vick.

He has six interceptions and two lost fumbles in his last five games.

I can see a scary Packers defense giving him all sorts of trouble.

4. The Saints Will Beat the Seahawks

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Drew Brees # of the New Orleans Saints and Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Seahawks' defense is bad; the Saints' defense is underrated.

The Saints have Drew Brees at QB; the Seahawks have Matt Hasselbeck/Charlie Whitehurst.

The Saints finished 11-5; The Seahawks finished 7-9.

I could go on and on.

It would take a miracle for the Seahawks to win this one.

I found it a miracle that they beat the St. Louis Rams.

The Saints beat the Seahawks, 34-19, in Week 11.

Prediction: Saints 34, Seahawks 20

3. the Ravens Will Beat the Chiefs

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates a fumble recovery during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by L

I think this game is going to be a lot closer than a lot of people think.

The Ravens aren't the same defensive powerhouse as they've been in prior years, and the Kansas City Chiefs have a strong offense.

I think the Chiefs can score on the Ravens, but I think ultimately the game will be decided by a veteran defense coaxing a couple turnovers from an inexperienced offense.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Chiefs 20

2. the Jets Will Beat the Colts

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Darrelle Revis #24of the New York Jets warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

I think the New York Jets' defense will show up against Peyton Manning and the Colts, as mentioned previously.

I also think the Jets will be able to run the ball effectively against a Colts' rush defense giving up 4.6 yards per carry this season.

The Jets average 4.4 yards per carry, eighth best in the NFL.

In the end, it won't matter how Jets QB Mark Sanchez does. The running game will give them enough points to win.

Prediction: Jets 27, Colts 24

1. the Packers Will Beat the Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field and greets Aaron Rodgers #12 after a loss in a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Based on Aaron Rodgers having a good game and the Packers defense giving Vick trouble, I expect the Packers to beat the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs.

The Packers are a dangerous team right now on both sides of the ball.

The Eagles have slumped at exactly the wrong moment, losing to the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys the last two weeks, and I think it's just a matter of a team playing the best it has this season against a team playing the worst it has this season.

Prediction: Packers 27, Eagles 21