Wild Card Weekend - NFL Playoffs 2008

Admittedly this years NFL Playoffs hold slightly less interest for me than if the Patriots were involved. Still, football is football and the games ought to be good.

So here's how I see this weekend's games shaping up:

Saturday: #5 Atlanta Falcons (-2½) at #4 Arizona Cardinals- Atlanta is my team to root for on the NFC side this year because of #2. Former Boston College QB Matt Ryan has had an unbelievable season this year. Who knew a rookie would have such a positive impact on a franchise and region that just last year was devastated by the Michael Vick disgrace? Arizona played miserably in Week 16 against the Patriots and wasn't very convincing last week. The bonus for the Cardinals and their fans is that this is a rare home playoff game for them, courtesy of winning the weak NFC West. Still, Atlanta is playing as well as anyone in the league right now and riding positive momentum can be huge in the playoffs (see 2007 New York Giants, who rode momentum all the way to the (still painful) upset win in Super Bowl XLII.) Prediction: Atlanta 24, at Arizona 14. Actual result: at Arizona 30, Atlanta 24 Did anyone tell the Falcons that you have to play 60 minutes of football in order to win? The Falcons lost because they took the 3^rd quarter off. Who will Arizona play next week?

#5 Indianapolis Colts (-2½) at #4 San Diego Chargers- The Chargers come in having won three in a row to close out the regular season and win the weak AFC West. At 3-4, the Colts looked pretty washed up, and now are riding a nine game winning streak, including wins over my Patriots and a three point win here in San Diego. The Chargers always give Peyton Manning and company trouble but have faced way too many injuries this season. If LaDanian Tomlinson doesn't play, that will make it worse for the Chargers. Prediction: Indianapolis 21, at San Diego 16. Actual result: at San Diego 23, Indianapolis 17 OT Overtime losses are tough. Overtime losses in the playoffs are even worse.

Sunday: #6 Baltimore (-2½) at #3 Miami- Miami has had a remarkable season, going from 1-15 last year to 11-5 this year. But that remarkable season ends with this game. The Ravens defense is one of the best in the league and their offense finally has found a franchise QB in rookie Joe Flacco. That, plus the confidence of winning in Miami in Week Seven should put them in Tennessee next weekend. They'll just use the same strategy they used in their week seven win. Miami's wildcat offense will struggle. Prediction: Baltimore 31, at Miami 17. Actual result: Baltimore 27, at Miami 9 Turnovers will kill you every time. Ask Chad Pennington.

#6 Philadelphia (-3½) at #3 Minnesota- Admittedly, I never thought either of these teams were good enough to make the playoffs, but here they are. Philadelphia, under QB Donovan McNabb,is playing well right now. But their 3-4-1 road record does not inspire confidence. Minnesota's 6-2 home record does. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson will have a good game and will be the difference maker. Prediction: at Minnesota 27, Philadelphia 10. Actual result: Philadelphia 26, at Minnesota 14 I didn't get to see much of this game, cuz I had to take my kids home. But I did see Brian Westbrook's 71 yard catch and run TD that effectively sealed the win for the Eagles. Man that boy is good.

UPDATE: Ok, so I was 1-3 for the weekend both straight up and vs. the point spread. I almost have to do better next week, right? More predictions on Friday.