The Macho Rhino NFL Selections For Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Playoffs are here!  Two teams are just three weeks away from preparing for the Super Bowl.  This could be the best Wild Card weekend in recent memory.  Three of the four games are toss-ups while the other features the most controversial playoff team possibly ever.  Let’s get to the 2011 NFL Wild Card weekend picks.

New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks

The Saints are the defending champs and go to one of the toughest places to play in the NFL to begin defense of their championship.  Seattle got in the playoffs by winning the NFC West last weekend despite going 7-9 on the season.  I look for the Saints to jump out to an early lead behind great play from Drew Brees and this one is never in doubt.
My Pick:  Saints 27, Seahawks 13

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts

This is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship also played in Indianapolis.  The Jets have a better roster this year while the Colts are banged up but won the division again and are a great home team.  I think Rex Ryan will have his team ready to go and his defense will frustrate Peyton Manning enough to advance.  Look for a solid game out of a great group of runners for the Jets.
My Pick:  Jets 24, Colts 20

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City won the AFC West and will welcome the Ravens to one of the league’s loudest stadiums on Sunday.  The Chiefs have won with solid defense and a tremendous running game with Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles leading the way.  Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe have been an outstanding tandem this season in the passing game.  The Ravens are an experienced playoff team used to winning on the road.  Baltimore will feed the ball to Ray Rice and hope Joe Flacco can make some big throws to keep the Chiefs defense guessing.  This is a game that comes down to rushing yards.  The team that establishes the run will win.  I’ll go with KC.
My Pick:  Chiefs 20, Ravens 16

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles

These two opened the season in Philly against one another and one will end their season there too.  Green Bay comes in playing well having had to win the past two weeks to get in the playoffs.  The Eagles won the NFC East to make the playoffs.  Michael Vick appears to still be hampered by an injury but he will play a ferocious Packers defense.  Clay Matthews will be chasing Vick all game long.  The Eagles will be looking to do the same against Aaron Rodgers who’s been playing great.  While there are tremendous offensive players in this game, I look for it to be more of a defensive battle.  I’ll take the Pack.
My Pick:  Packers 17, Eagles 13

So if I’m four for four, here’s how the Divisional Playoffs will look next weekend:

AFC
New York Jets at New England Patriots
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears