Playoff Predictions- Wild Card Weekend

[Landshark]

One thing's for sure.  This is definitely a wild Wild Card weekend (pun intended).  The Redskins, Seahawks, Colts, and Vikings are what make it wild.  I'll bet that there aren't too many fans who, at the beginning of the season, thought that these four teams would still be playing at this point.  Here are my predictions:

Colts at Ravens- Andrew Luck's rookie season has got to be a feel good story as he is in contention for the Rookie of the Year on offense award and has lifted a 3 win team to a fifth seed in the playoffs.  Colts fans should feel extremely lucky that they didn't experience a drop off in quarterback play as, essentially, one franchise quarterback was replaced with another.  That said, nothing will prepare a rookie quarterback for the experience of playoff football in the NFL, especially against a defense as ferocious as the Ravens.  Ray Lewis has announced his retirement, which should give the defense an added boost because this is more than likely his final game in Baltimore.  Add a cold outdoor climate and a raucious Ravens crowd, and I see Luck quickly running out of luck.     
Prediction: Ravens    


Bengals at Texans- It's been four weeks of hell for Houston.  They lost three of their last four games, and blew the top seed in the playoffs (and the home field advantage that came with it).  A perfect example of how NOT to enter the playoffs.  Arian Foster seems to have hit a wall, Matt Schaub has lost his edge, and the defense can't stop anyone.  They will have a very tough time stopping the guy with the 18 on his jersey who has become a favorite target of sophomore sensation Andy Dalton.  If Houston had a first round bye, that would be one thing.  However, this coming on the heels of two disastrous losses to lesser opponents, I can't see them regrouping in time. 

Prediction: Bengals


Vikings at Packers- Yes, Adrian Peterson has been in beast mode and nearly broke Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record.  Yes, Christian Ponder has steadily improved at quarterback, although having a guy like Peterson to hand the ball off to has probably had a lot to do with that.  Yes, the Vikings beat the Packers last week in a barn burner.  But that was in the Metrodome in a climate controlled environment.  This week features the frozen tundra and a Packers crowd that's as boistrous as any in the league.  While Peterson has done well in an outdoor environment, the Vikings as a team are not very good in cold weather.  Green Bay also might've taken Minnesota lightly last week.  Not so this week.  It is very difficult to beat a good team twice in a row.  It won't happen here. 

Prediction: Packers


Seahawks at Redskins-   This is the one everyone is going to watch.  Squaring off in this game are two teams who were fodder for the Super Bowl contenders for several years, two rookie quarterbacks who are both in contention for Rookie of the Year on offense, two running backs who are as good as any in the league, and two swarming defenses that can get the job done.  These two teams are about as evenly matched as you can get.  However, the most thunderous crowd at Fed Ex Field in a long time will tip the scales in Washington's favor. 

Prediction: Redskins

[EKnight]

Ravens, Texans, Packers, Seattle (and I don't believe this one will even be close). -EK

[Thundergod]

Indianapolis,  Houston, Green Bay, Seattle

[Landshark]

Wow. I'm shocked at the lack of responses. 

So far, Houston has outplayed Cincinnati but is only up by two.  AJ Green has not caught a pass.  If the Bengals get hot in the second half, they could be enjoying a Rocky Mountain high next week.

[MikeO]

Dalton 4/10 for 3 yards in the first half. That's awful! "Tebow-like" numbers there!

[Dave Gray]

Ravens
Texans
Packers
Seahawks

[miamid45]

Dalton looks horrible, not surprised we beat them earlier in the season!

[Landshark]

Christian Ponder has been ruled out for tonight's game

[Landshark]

Houston dominated in total yards and time of possession.  But they only won by six.  Their defense will not stop Tom Brady the way they shut down Andy Dalton.

[miamid45]

Houston dominated in total yards and time of possession.  But they only won by six.  Their defense will not stop Tom Brady the way they shut down Andy Dalton.

Agreed, they will need to open up that offence and I'm not sure that Schaub is capable of matching Brady in playing mistake free agressive football!

[Landshark]

Looks like so far, I've underestimated Joe Webb

[miamid45]

Looks like so far, I've underestimated Joe Webb

Rodgers is the man!  Even with a mediocre defence they are a REAL threat to go to the Super Bowl.

Think they will give the 49ers all they can handle next weekend!

[Landshark]

Rodgers is the man!  Even with a mediocre defence they are a REAL threat to go to the Super Bowl.

Think they will give the 49ers all they can handle next weekend!

Green Bay is stacking eight men in the box and bottling up Peterson.  I can see them giving San Fran a run for the money.

[miamid45]

Green Bay is stacking eight men in the box and bottling up Peterson.  I can see them giving San Fran a run for the money.

No Qb or Wr (Harvin) threat for Minnesota, hard to compete with the Packers weapons.

[Landshark]

Sack, strip, and recovery by Clay Matthews.  To think the Dolphins had a shot at this stud linebacker but drafted Vontae Davis instead