The NFL playoffs are back this weekend with two games Saturday and another two on Sunday. After three of the four games last weekend being decided early on, this weekend should be a different story. I think there’s only one easy game to pick and the other three should be close and could go either way. You just don’t get to this point without being a good team. About a month ago we were wondering if we could see two undefeated teams in the Super Bowl, but the Colts and Saints combined to lose five in a row to end the year and had last weekend off to think about their disappointing losses to end the regular season. Can they end their losing streaks? Let’s get to the picks:
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16
Cardinals at Saints (4:30 PM ET on FOX)
The Cardinals scored 45 in regulation last week and added another 6 in OT. They’re offense is rolling and the Saints have Drew Brees coming off a stellar season and should be able to match the Cardinals offense like the Packers did last week. Kurt Warner played a tremendous game against a very good defense last week and he’ll have to find Darren Sharper, the Saints’ super safety, to avoid turning the ball over. This is a huge game in New Orleans. I’m sure the “Big Easy” has been a buzz all week in anticipation of this game. I thought this would be the divisional game a month ago in the NFC and had the Cardinals winning it. I haven’t changed my mind. I don’t like how the Saints ended the season as they haven’t won a game in a month.
THE PICK: Cardinals 42, Saints 38
Ravens at Colts (8:15 PM ET on CBS)
The Ravens just dominated the Patriots on the road last week. The Colts had to be watching that and thinking can we stop Ray Rice? I think Jim Caldwell killed the Colts mojo by benching them in the game against the Jets and sent them into a two game losing streak to end the year. They should be well rested for this one but does that really matter? The Ravens are road warriors and won’t be intimidated playing at Indy. They played the Colts tough earlier in the season and you know they’ll enter this one knowing they can win. The Colts must get a fast start. They need to get points early and get their confidence going. If Baltimore can jump on them like they did New England, it’s over. And Jim Caldwell will be forever known as the goat in Indy. After watching the disgust on Peyton Manning’s face after watching their perfect season go down the drain, he will carry his team to a win but it’s gonna be close.
THE PICK: Colts 21, Ravens 20
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17
Cowboys at Vikings (1 PM ET on FOX)
This is the toughest game of the weekend to predict. The Cowboys have played great for the last month. The Vikings stumbled down the stretch but ended the season by demolishing the Giants. It’s a huge game for both teams. Dallas waited over a decade for a Cowboys playoff victory they got last weekend and now think there team can win the Super Bowl. Vikings fans have waited months to see Brett Favre lead them to a playoff win. The key players in this game are Flozell “The Hotel” Adams for the Cowboys and Jared Allen for the Vikings. The line has been playing well for Dallas but go against a great front four in Minnesota. Can Adams keep Allen out of the backfield? Jared Allen is the best defensive lineman in the league. He’s shown he can be a one-man wrecking crew sacking the quarterback and forcing fumbles. He’ll be chasing Tony Romo all day. I think this is a back and forth game but Favre’s magic in Minnesota continues one more week at least.
THE PICK: Vikings 31, Cowboys 27
Jets at Chargers (4:40 PM ET on CBS)
The Jets have what’s supposedly the perfect recipe for winning in the playoffs, a good running game and great defense. They’re coming to San Diego confident but face a Chargers team that has won 11 straight. San Diego is playing better than anyone in the league to end the season. Will the week off slow them down? I doubt it, this is a team that’s been together for a few years and is ready to make their run to the Super Bowl. They’ve simply got too many playmakers for the Jets to keep up. The Jets will hang around but won’t be able to keep the Chargers at bay for four quarters.
THE PICK: Chargers 27, Jets 17
A 3-1 start to the playoffs isn’t bad, but hopefully I’m perfect this weekend.
