This is an interest slate of playoff matchups in that three of the games are rematches from week 17. I am picking against all three winners from last week. Just a feeling. All the lines are small enough that I am basically just picking who I think will win outright.
home team in bold
AFC Wild Card Round
Cincinnati Bengals (-3) over New York JetsA lot of people seem to be jumping on the Jets bandwagon after their victories over the Colts and Bengals to make the playoffs. Count me out. The Jets needed those teams to lie down just to get to the same record as last season with Eric Mangini and an injured Brett Favre. The Bengals showed nothing last week in the Meadowlands in a game that barely mattered to them. The Jets were forced to lay their hand on the table.
New England Patriots (-3.5) over Baltimore Ravens
The loss of Wes Welker will hurt the Patriots. He is the perfect complement to Randy Moss and has become a security blanket for Tom Brady. His absence will make it very difficult for the Patriots to go on the road and beat a superior opponent even though Bill Belichick is a master at creatively filling gaps caused by injury. Which just means I will be picking against the Patriots next week.
NFC Wild Card Round
Philadelphia Eagles (+4) over Dallas CowboysI have no real rational for picking the Eagles. I realize that winning three in a row against a team in a single season is really not that difficult. Look at the Steelers last year against the Ravens. Or against the Browns in 2002. Sometimes a team just has another team�s number. Perhaps my judgment has been clouded by my desire to see the turmoil caused by another Cowboys first round playoff exit.
Arizona Cardinals (-2.5) over Green Bay Packers
Matt Leinart couldn't handle the blitz last week and the Cardinals were steamrolled by the Packers. Luckily for the Cardinals Kurt Warner will be playing in the playoffs. The Cardinals cared so little about last week's game that they allowed Brian St. Pierre to attempt 4 passes. That's 3 more than the 31 year old had previously thrown in his 7 year career. Injuries could be a factor in this game. To be honest I am more concerned about the status of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie than Anquan Boldin. The Cardinals have enough offensive weapons to win even without Boldin.
Last week
San Fransisco 49ers (-7) over St. Louis Rams WINAtlanta Falcons (-2.5) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers WIN
Philadelphia Eagles (+3) over Dallas Cowboys LOSS
Final regular season record: 27-24 Best bets: 9-8