Mattie T’s Wild Card Weekend Predictions..
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on January 8, 2010
Pay close attention to this weekend’s set of games, as a Wild Card team has reached the Super Bowl in each of the past 4 seasons.
I have decided this year not to do in-game blogs due to my recent hectic work schedule, so i’ll be able to sit back & enjoy some playoff football.
Let’s get it going….
N.Y. Jets at Cincinnati.
Snowy conditions are expected for this game, which figure to benefit both teams’ impressive rushing attacks.
Mark Sanchez will make his 1st postseason start, as he’s the only quarterback in this year’s playoff field with more interceptions (20) than touchdowns (12).
Cincinnati will have to find ways moving the ball through the air, as Darrelle Revis blanketed Chad Ochocinco to zero catches last week & figures to see a heavy dose of the All-Pro wideout again on Saturday.
I feel like this will be a very close game, but Sanchez’s ineffectiveness will show late as the Bengals hold on to win 17-13.
Philadelphia at Dallas.
This should be a real good game, as the Eagles look to bounce back from a disappointing shutout loss, which cost them the NFC East title.
Dallas on the other hand is trying to exercise their playoff demons, as they will look for their 1st postseason win since 1996.
Jason Witten will have to come up big since Philadelphina has struggled all season defending the tight end, but Witten’s numbers are a slighty bit better on the road.
Andy Reid will find a way to get DeSean Jackson more involved, as the Pro Bowl wideout has just 5 receptions for 76 yards in the two losses against the Cowboys this season.
This will be a very close game, but there’s one stat i just can’t go against. Andy Reid & Donovan McNabb are a perfect 7-0 in opening round games, and you can bet that Reid will have his team re-focused after last week’s embarassing effort.
Eagles win a nailbiter 30-28.
Baltimore at New England.
Patriots will have to play this one without Wes Welker, who tore his ACL during a meaningless Week 17 loss at Houston.
In steps rookie Julian Edelman, who has had two of his biggest games to date with Welker injured, even though New England lost both contests.
Baltimore’s secondary is still shaky despite the return of Ed Reed, so we’ll see if Randy Moss will receive a lot of double-teams on Sunday.
Even though Tom Brady cooled off in the 2nd half of the season, he’s been excellent at home with a 109.2 rating, 299.3 yards per game average & 17 touchdown passes against just 3 interceptions.
This game will be decided by Joe Flacco, as the Ravens’ 2nd year quarterback has been inconsistent all season on the road & needs a big performance against the Patriots’ beatable secondary to build up his confidence.
Baltimore will keep it close, but i can’t go against Tom Brady at Foxboro, where he’s never lost in the playoffs. New England wins 30-27.
Green Bay at Arizona.
A lot of people are picking Green Bay to make a deep postseason run, but not so fast. Sunday will be Aaron Rodgers’ first playoff start as well as head coach Mike McCarthy’s first playoff game, while the franchise is trying to win their 1st road Wild Card game in 17 years.
In their two biggest road games of this season (at Minnesota & at Pittsburgh), Brett Favre & Ben Roethlisberger combined to pass for over 800 yards on their strong defense.
Kurt Warner could have himself a big day if he continues his 2nd half tear, as he’s compiled a 101.4 rating with 10 touchdowns & just 3 interceptions.
Aaron Rodgers has also been on fire, so whoever has the last possession of the game could very well win it.
If it comes down to a game-winning field goal, Neil Rackers gets the edge over a struggling Mason Crosby, who’s had a career-high 9 misses this season & is just 6-for-13 from 40 yards or more.
Arizona edges Green Bay 33-31 in the most exciting game of the weekend.
Time to reveal my Super Bowl XLIV pick!!!
I think it will be Chargers vs. Vikings in this year’s big game. It’s time for Philip Rivers to join fellow Class of ’04 mates Eli Manning & Ben Roethlisberger with his very own Super Bowl ring, while beating out a future HOF legend in Brett Favre for the Vince Lombardi trophy.
