Playoff Preview

As I look ahead at the NFL playoffs, I think a legitimate case can be made for any team to win as evident by the Cardinals' playoff run last season. Each of the games this weekend is a rematch from the regular season, with 3 out of 4 being rematches from last Sunday so kudos to the NFL schedule makers for the playoff previews. Lets breakdown the games individually:

Jets @ Bengals - The Jets dominated the Bengals in New York on Sunday night, 37-0. The Bengals were resting several starters on Sunday, mainly RB Cedric Benson. The Jets do have the leagues #1 defense and #1 rushing attach - 2 very important aspects of winning in the playoffs. The Bengals also have a very improved defense and running game, but they have not had the same explosiveness on offense since WR Chris Henry was injured in the second Pittsburgh game. The determining factor for me is who will make the fewer mistakes. If your choosing a QB to make a play, you will pick Carson Palmer over Mark Sanchez especially in the windy cold weather in Cincinnati. Much has been hyped about how god Jets CB Darrell Revis is, but what should be noted is how well the Bengals CBs have played this season (Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph). This will allow the Bengals to load up the box and stop the Jets rushing attack. My pick is Bengals 9 Jets 7.

Eagles @ Cowboys - This rematch from last Sunday is the one game that actually did have meaning. Many people want to say the Eagles packed it in, but if they won that game they would have not only won the division but gotten a bye week. The Cowboys have been telling us all year that this is a different team. And it has, because this team finished strong. I think the Cowboys will be able to run the football like they have in there other 2 victories over the Eagles and Romo will not make the big mistakes. I know Eagles coach Andy Reid has never lost on wildcard weekend (7-0), and Dallas coach Wade Phillips has never won a playoff game (0-4), but I believe this Cowboys team is different. Cowboys 38 Eagles 23

Ravens @ Patriots - What a set up - Ravens are 5-2 all time on the road in the playoffs, Patriots have not lost a home playoff game since the 1970s. Unfortunately for the Patriots, they will be without WR Wes Welker who injured his knee last weekend. This is a rematch from Week 4 - the Patriots beat the Ravens 27-21 after some controversial penalties kept the Patriots drive alive and allowed them to win the game. The Ravens are very capable of pulling this upset, but I am picking Brady and Belichick because they I trust in them to make the play when it matters. Patriots 21 Ravens 17.

Packers @ Cardinals - Nobody gave the Cardinals a chance to win 1 game in the last postseason and they ended up winning 3 and came within seconds of winning the Super Bowl - so take this as a lesson that any team can truly win the Super Bowl. This team is very dangerous and does seem to have a proverbial switch that they can flip when they have to win a game. But this a good Packer team, who would have won its final 8 games if not for a miraculous catch by the Steelers. The key has been keeping Aaron Rodgers upright and playing good defense (LB Clay Matthews Jr. has my vote for defensive rookie of the year). The Cardinals are banged up - with injuries to WR Anquan Boldin, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and DL Calais Campbell. My pick is the Packers 28 Cardinals 24.

So what do I predict for the rest of the playoffs?

Divisional Playoffs:
Colts over Bengals
Chargers over Patriots
Cowboys over Vikings
Saints over Packers

Conference Championships:
Chargers over Colts
Cowboys over Saints

Super Bowl XLIV:
Chargers 31 Cowboys 28

Enjoy watching the games - it should be a fun and exciting month!