Falcons (-1.5) over Cardinals (Saturday at 4:30 PM Eastern on NBC)
The Cardinals got into trouble when they won their division way too early. They were pretty much platued with three weeks left and had nothing to play for. And like other teams who have nothing to play for, they went to sleep. They played the starters, but the starters didn't play (or so it seemed) So now they are hosting a playoff game with a 9-7 record against a team that almost had a first round bye. So they have no chance right? Wrong. The Cardinals have a chance to win this game, but I don't think they will. The Falcons will be able to throw on the Cardinals, they should be able to run on them.
I also expect the Falcons to in the most part, contain the Cardinals offense, the Cardinals offensive line is less than great and the Falcons get a lot of sacks, let by John Abraham with 16.5, not to mention the fact the Kurt Warner is not the most mobile guy in his old age. On the other hand the Falcons are 28th in the NFL in rush defense, now if only the Cardinals had any thing moderately close to a running game, Tim Hightower was a one hit wonder, Edgerian James says he will never play for the Cardinals again, and JJ Arrington is less than spectacular. So unless they mind a way to expose the Falcons less than great run defense, than I don't see how the Cardinals find a way to win. Unless Matt Ryan goes into total reverse and seriously chokes (which rookie QB have been known to do, too bad Matt Ryan is no ordinary rookie QB).
So I will take the Falcons and the points (If I was a gambler, any way)
Prediction: Falcons 31, Cardinals 14
Game MVP: Matt Ryan
Colts (-1) over Chargers (Saturday, 8 PM Eastern on NBC)
The Chargers have become everyone's sexy pick to make the Super Bowl from the AFC East, the Colts are probably the best team in the AFC despite being a wild card. These are the two teams that I would not like to face if I was the coach of an AFC team, but likely for all the AFC teams on of them will get to take out the other. The Chargers have basically been playing playoff games for four weeks now, the Cotls have won nine straight so something has to give and on paper it looks like the Chargers have an edge. The Chargers defense isn't that good against the run, which is the Chargers speciality, Peyton Manning struggles against 3-4 defenses, not to mention these two teams always produce one hell of a game when play it's kind of like the Rays to the Red Sox, even when they were bad they always gave the Sox a game, they bring their A-games out for each other.
Now I told you all that, so I guess I should tell you why I'm picking the Colts. Like I said the Chargers love to run it, but LT is either out or will be on a bump wheel or groin to be specific, than Antonio Gates is probably going to be in the same situation as LT either out or playing hurt. Another thing to consider about those two is that they are probably Phillip Rivers' top targets, he has been great but if they are out he will have trouble finding a decent target, Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers won't cut it here. So I expect the Chargers to give us a games because they and the Colts always do, but I think the Colts will come out on top. So I pick the Chargers and take the point.
Prediction: Colts 28, Chargers 23
Game MVP: Peyton Manning
Dolphins (+3) over Ravens (Sunday at 1 PM Eastern on CBS)
Wow, this is going to be one of those grind it out games, were it may come down to what QB makes the big play and which cracks under pressure. And I like I mentioned in the Cardinals-Falcons section rookies tent to be the guys who choke. So sorry, Joe Flacco but I see you costing the Ravens this game. They have running in particular to get around the Dolphins defense so I don't see many points from the Ravens.
Now the Dolphins offense is actually similar to the Ravens with the exception over veteran signal caller Chad Pennington, and I think if Chad can make a couple big throws and they can hit a trick play or two, like breaking a big one from the wild cat or Ted Ginn beating them on a reverse, because the Ravens defense tend to over-pursue a lot. That should be enough offense to win this game. This may be the game not to watch if all you want to see is high powered offense and that crap. This is going to be a good old-fashioned, battle. Who's tougher than who type of game. And I think the Dolphins will win.
Prediction: Dolphins 13, Ravens 7
MVP: Dolphins Defense
Eagles (- 3) over Vikings (Sunday, 4: 30 PM Eastern on FOX)
The Eagles are like the Chargers of the NFC they got hot at the end and now everyone loves them, I'm not quite sold that they are a Super Bowl contender, but I am sold that they will win this game. The Vikings are not that good against the pass and DeSean Johnson can break the big one on them. Plus the Eagles pure speed running game will negate the power of Kevin and Pat Williams (assuming the big man plays)
Now how will Taveris Jackson fare the Eagles blitzing scheme if last week is any indication not every well, the Giants scheme is basically a carbon copy of the Eagles because Steve Spagnoulo is a Jim Johnson disciple and they gave Tarvaris hell. So why should I believe that teacher can give the crappy QB the same hell his pupil gave him? Another factor to consider is that Vikings special teams are very bad, very, very bad. And DeSean Johnson can break one on them. So I expect Philly to kick some serious Vikings ass. I'll take the Eagles and the points.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Vikings 3
MVP: DeSean Jackson
Those are my picks, I'll be back next week with a National Title Game article and more playoff picks, Bears out
