Wildcard Weekend: My Completely, Totally, Positively, Remorselessly Accurate Picks
Welcome to Wildcard Weekend. It's the hap-happiest time of the year. Actually that isn't true. That honor belongs to whatever day on Memorial weekend that they run the Indy 500, or ANY day a NASCAR race is canceled. Anyhow, back to the subject at hand; let's make some quick predictions.
There are four games this weekend. I bet I can pick three of them. Here we go.
Kansas City Chiefs at theBaltimore Indianapolis Colts: The Colts beat the Chiefs 23-7 on December 22. I don't see any reason to expect anything different. Yes, the Colts sacked Alex Smith five times, something I doubt they'll replicate, but I feel their secondary will play well enough to limit the Chief's passing game, and Jamal Charles won't get over 105 yards. This is Luck's second trip to the playoffs. He has the experience, he has the talent, and his offensive line is the healthiest it has been all year. The Chief's defense is good, but not good enough. Colts win 20-13.
New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles. Are you kidding me? The Saints only average 18 points on the road. The game time temperature will be in the mid-twenties with a wind chill factor lower than the typical political pundit's IQ. Drew Brees will throw three interceptions, Shady McCoy will run for over 125, and Philly will win large. 31-17.
San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals. This is a tough one for me. Everyone is labeling the Chargers "the most dangerous team in the first round," which is often the kiss of death. On the other hand, the Chargers ARE a good team, and although Andy Dalton just might outplay Philip Rivers in this game, he is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a better quarterback. The Bengal's defense is better, but the Charger's defense can be tough. I'll go with the experience, with the better body of NFL work, with Philip Rivers. Chargers win. 24-13.
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers. Six weeks ago the talking heads were apologizing for the 49ers. The team was 6-4 and on a two game losing streak. Their quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, whom Ron Jaworski had dubbed a "future hall of famer," was mediocre at best.
At the mid-point in the season, Green Bay's record was 6-2, and they were in the red zone, preparing to go ahead in their game against the Bears. Then Aaron Rodgers went down, and the Packers snuck into the playoffs at 8-7-1.
Bottom line? People seem to have forgotten how badly the 49ers stumbled, and how great the Packers are with Aaron Rodgers and a healthy offense. And it's freaking Lambeau Field. Not only will the Packers win, they'll win big. 34-20.
See you tomorrow.
There are four games this weekend. I bet I can pick three of them. Here we go.
Kansas City Chiefs at the
New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles. Are you kidding me? The Saints only average 18 points on the road. The game time temperature will be in the mid-twenties with a wind chill factor lower than the typical political pundit's IQ. Drew Brees will throw three interceptions, Shady McCoy will run for over 125, and Philly will win large. 31-17.
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| Rachel Washburn. Former Eagles cheerleader. Two tours in Afghanistan. Cool person. |
San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals. This is a tough one for me. Everyone is labeling the Chargers "the most dangerous team in the first round," which is often the kiss of death. On the other hand, the Chargers ARE a good team, and although Andy Dalton just might outplay Philip Rivers in this game, he is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a better quarterback. The Bengal's defense is better, but the Charger's defense can be tough. I'll go with the experience, with the better body of NFL work, with Philip Rivers. Chargers win. 24-13.
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers. Six weeks ago the talking heads were apologizing for the 49ers. The team was 6-4 and on a two game losing streak. Their quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, whom Ron Jaworski had dubbed a "future hall of famer," was mediocre at best.
At the mid-point in the season, Green Bay's record was 6-2, and they were in the red zone, preparing to go ahead in their game against the Bears. Then Aaron Rodgers went down, and the Packers snuck into the playoffs at 8-7-1.
Bottom line? People seem to have forgotten how badly the 49ers stumbled, and how great the Packers are with Aaron Rodgers and a healthy offense. And it's freaking Lambeau Field. Not only will the Packers win, they'll win big. 34-20.
See you tomorrow.
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