2011 NFL Playoffs: Predicting The Outcomes For Each Wildcard Game This Weekend

The beginning of the 2011 NFL playoffs is just hours away, with four exciting matchups to enjoy this weekend in the Wild Card round.  

The New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears have earned first round bye s for being the top two teams in their respective conferences.  

In the AFC Wild Card round the New York Jets will travel to Indianapolis to take on Peyton Manning and the Colts, while the Kansas City Chiefs will play host to the Baltimore Ravens.  In the NFC Wild Card round the New Orleans Saints will be battling the 7-9 Seattle Seahawks on the road, and the Green Bay Packers will be going head to head against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The following slides exhibit previews for the four Wild Card games this weekend, as well as predictions for the outcomes of each.

No. 6 New York Jets(11-5) Vs. No. 3 Indianapolis Colts(10-6)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 24: Wide receiver Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets is tackled by Kelvin Hayden #26 of the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jon

Quarterback Duel

Mark Sanchez, NYJ: Completed 278 of 507 attempted passes for 3291 yards, a 54.8 CMP percentage, 17 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 75.3 QB rating

Peyton Manning, IND: Completed 450 of 679 attempted passes for 4700 yards, a 66.3 CMP percentage, 33 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, 91.9 QB rating

Running Back Comparison

LaDainian Tomlinson, NYJ: 219 carries for 914 yards and six touchdowns; 52 receptions for 368 yards

Shonn Greene, NYJ: 185 rushing attempts for 766 yards and two touchdowns; 16 receptions for 120 yards

Donald Brown, IND: 129 rushing attempts for 497 yards and two touchdowns; 20 receptions for 205 yards

Joseph Addai, IND: 116 carries for 495 yards and four touchdowns; 19 receptions for 124 yards

Receivers

Dallas Clark, IND: 37 receptions for 347 yards and three touchdowns

Reggie Wayne, IND: 111 receptions for 1355 yards and six touchdowns

Pierre Garcon, IND: 67 receptions for 784 yards and six touchdowns

Santonio Holmes, NYJ: 52 receptions for 746 yards and six touchdowns

Dustin Keller, NYJ: 55 receptions for 687 yards and five touchdowns

Braylon Edwards, NYJ: 53 receptions for 904 yards and seven touchdowns

Overall Defense

Indianapolis Colts Rushing Defense: 25th overall ranked in NFL, allowing 127.0 YPG

Colts' Passing Defense: 13th overall ranked in the NFL, allowing 214.6 YPG

New York Jets Rushing Defense: third overall ranked in the NFL, allowing 90.9 YPG

New York Jets Passing Defense: sixth overall ranked in the NFL, allowing 200.6 YPG

New York Jets-Indianapolis Colts Prediction

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets makes a third quarter touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Predicted Outcome: New York Jets 27 - Indianapolis Colts 24

In what will be the most anticipated game of this weekend, the Jets will run away with a last-second thriller.  Rex Ryan seems more determined than ever to win this game against the Indianapolis Colts, and I don't think Peyton Manning will be able to overcome what Ryan will be sending at him.  Ryan is very creative in his defensive schemes and will prevail in this contest.

No. 5 Baltimore Ravens(12-4) Vs. No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs(10-6)

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 13: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Chiefs 38-24. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Quarterback Duel

Joe Flacco, BAL: Completed 306 of 489 attempted passes for 3622 yards, a 62.6 CMP percentage, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 93.6 QB rating

Matt Cassel, KC: Completed 262 of 450 attempted passes for 3116 yards, a 58.2 CMP percentage, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 93.0 QB rating

Running Back Comparison

Ray Rice, BAL: 307 carries for 1220 yards and five touchdowns; 63 receptions for 556 yards and one touchdown

Willis McGahee, BAL: 100 rushing attempts for 380 yards and five touchdowns; 14 receptions for 55 yards and one touchdown

Jamaal Charles, KC: 230 carries for 1467 yards and five touchdowns; 45 receptions for 468 yards and three touchdowns

Thomas Jones, KC: 245 rushing attempts for 896 yards and six touchdowns; 14 receptions for 122 yards

Receivers

Anquan Boldin, BAL: 64 receptions for 837 yards and seven touchdowns

Derrick Mason, BAL: 61 receptions for 802 yards and seven touchdowns

Todd Heap, BAL: 40 receptions for 599 yards and five touchdowns

Dwayne Bowe, KC: 72 receptions for 1162 yards and 15 touchdowns

Tony Moeaki, KC: 47 receptions for 556 yards and three touchdowns

Chris Chambers, KC: 22 receptions for 213 yards and one touchdown

Overall Defense

Baltimore Ravens Rushing Defense: fifth overall ranked in the NFL, allowing 93.9 YPG

Ravens' Passing Defense: 21st overall ranked in the NFL, allowing 224.9 YPG

Kansas City Chiefs Rushing Defense: 14th overall ranked in the NFL, allowing 110.3 YPG

Chiefs' Passing Defense: 17th overall ranked in the NFL, allowing 219.9 YPG

Baltimore Ravens-Kansas City Chiefs Prediction

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates his team's only touchdown 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 Larry Fren

Predicted Outcome: Baltimore Ravens 24 - Kansas City Chiefs 20

In what is guaranteed to be an exciting game between two of the top 10 quarterbacks in the National Football League, Joe Flacco will out throw Matt Cassel in a close one.  Sure the Kansas City Chiefs have the best rushing attack in the league, but the Ravens should be just fine with their fifth overall ranked rushing defense led by Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs.  After only throwing seven interceptions the whole season, expect Cassel to get picked off multiple times by the Baltimore Ravens defense that has made 19 interceptions this season.

No. 5 New Orleans Saints(11-5) Vs. No. 4 Seattle Seahawks(7-9)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Walter Thurmond #28 of the Seattle Seahawks breaks up a touchdown reception intended for Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/

Quarterback Duel

Drew Brees, NO: Completed 448 of 658 attempted passes for 4620 yards, 33 touchdowns, 22 interceptions, 90.9 QB rating

Matt Hasselbeck, SEA: Completed 266 of 444 attempted passes for 3001 yards, 59.9 CMP percentage, 12 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, 73.2 QB rating

Running Back Comparison

Chris Ivory, NO: 137 carries for 716 yards and five touchdowns; one reception for 17 yards

Pierre Thomas, NO: 83 rushing attempts for 269 yards and two touchdowns; 29 receptions for 201 yards

Reggie Bush, NO: 36 rushing attempts for 150 yards; 34 receptions for 208 yards and one touchdown

Marshawn Lynch, SEA: 202 carries for 737 yards and six touchdowns; 22 receptions for 145 yards

Justin Forsett, SEA: 118 rushing attempts for 523 yards and two touchdowns; 33 receptions for 252 yards

Receivers

Marques Colston, NO: 84 receptions for 1023 yards and seven touchdowns

Lance Moore, NO: 66 receptions for 763 yards and eight touchdowns

Robert Meachem, NO: 44 receptions for 638 yards and five touchdowns

Mike Williams, SEA: 65 receptions for 751 yards and two touchdowns

Ben Obomanu, SEA: 30 receptions for 494 yards and four touchdowns

Deon Butler, SEA: 36 receptions for 385 yards and four touchdowns

Overall Defense

New Orleans Saints Rushing Defense: 16th overall ranked in NFL, allowing 112.3 YPG

Saints' Passing Defense: fourth overall ranked in NFL, allowing 193.9 YPG

Seattle Seahawks Rushing Defense: 21st overall ranked in NFL, allowing 118.9 YPG

Seahawks' Passing Defense: 27th overall ranked in NFL, allowing 249.6 YPG

New Orleans Saints-Seattle Seahawks Prediction

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham in the second half during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Phot

Predicted Outcome: New Orleans Saints 31 - Seattle Seahawks 17

Not many people are giving the Seahawks a chance and for good reason.  The New Orleans Saints are a much better team than Seattle, and they have already proven that earlier this season when they defeated the Seahawks by a score of 34-19.  Seattle's defense isn't strong enough to keep up with the New Orleans offense.

No. 6 Green Bay Packers(10-6) Vs. No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles(10-6)

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Quarterback Duel

Aaron Rodgers, GB: Completed 312 of 475 attempted passes for 3922 yards, 65.7 CMP percentage, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 101.2 QB rating

Michael Vick, PHI: Completed 233 of 372 attempted passes for 3018 yards, 62.6 CMP percentage, 21 touchdowns, six interceptions, 100.2 QB rating

Running Back Comparison

Brandon Jackson, GB: 190 carries for 703 yards and three touchdowns; 43 receptions for 342 yards and one touchdown

John Kuhn, GB: 84 rushing attempts for 281 yards and four touchdowns; 15 receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns

LeSean McCoy, PHI: 207 rushing attempts for 1080 yards and seven touchdowns; 78 receptions for 592 yards and two touchdowns

Jerome Harrison, PHI: 71 carries for 330 yards and one touchdown; 12 receptions for 85 yards

Receivers

Greg Jennings, GB: 76 receptions for 1265 yards and 12 touchdowns

James Jones, GB: 50 receptions for 679 yards and five touchdowns

Jordy Nelson, GB: 45 receptions for 582 yards and two touchdowns

DeSean Jackson, PHI: 47 receptions for 1056 yards and six touchdowns

Jeremy Maclin, PHI: 70 receptions for 964 yards and 10 touchdowns

Jason Avant, PHI: 51 receptions for 573 yards and one touchdown

Overall Defense

Green Bay Packers Rushing Defense: 18th overall ranked in NFL, allowing 114.9 YPG

Packers' Passing Defense: fifth overall ranked in NFL, allowing 194.2 YPG

Philadelphia Eagles Rushing Defense: 15th overall ranked in NFL, allowing 110.4 YPG

Eagles' Passing Defense: 15th overall ranked in NFL, allowing 216.8 YPG

Green Bay Packers-Philadelphia Eagles Prediction

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

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

Predicted Outcome: Green Bay Packers 24 - Philadelphia Eagles 30

In the most compelling quarterback matchup of this weekend, Michael Vick will put on yet another thrilling performance with a multiple touchdown game.  Aaron Rodgers finished off the season in good fashion, leading the Packers to a pair of wins in their final two games while throwing for a total of five touchdowns and only one interception.  This will not matter because of the many offensive threats that the Eagles possess, and the fact that the Packers are 3-5 on the road this year.  

Predicted Matchups Of Divisional Round

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 09: Harry Connick Jr. leads a float out onto the field which carried the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy which was won last year by the New Orleans Saints prior to the Saints playing against the Minnesota Vikings at Louisiana Sup

AFC

New York Jets @ New England Patriots

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC

Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons

New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears