Wild Card Weekend: Baltimore at Miami

Baltimore Ravens (11-5) @ Miami Dolphins (11-5)
Sunday January 4th, 1:00 PM, CBS
Dolphin Stadium
Favorite: Ravens (-3.5)

In an earlier post I detailed why Miami could win the game so I'll start off this section describing why Baltimore could instead advance. The Ravens defense is awesome. There aren't enough words to accurately depict it's awesomeness. They lead the league in forcing turnovers and frequently dominate games. Because most everybody has the belief that defense wins championships, Baltimore enters this game not only viewed as the favorite but also thought of to be the team that can make a run to the Super Bowl from a wild card spot. Another key in the playoffs is the running game, which is another area where the Ravens excel. The emergence of fullback Le'Ron McClain gives them a bruiser who can get tough yards and help the offensive line dominate the trenches. I just feel though that the Dolphins offense, which led the league in fewest turnovers, will be able to avoid mistakes and on the other side, a rookie quarterback (even though he's a stellar rookie) will make a couple errors.

Pick: Miami 17, Baltimore 16

Wild Card Weekend: Indianapolis at San Diego

Indianapolis Colts (12-4) vs San Diego Chargers (8-8)

Saturday January 3rd, 8:00 PM, NBC
Favorite: Colts (-1)

The Chargers seem to be getting a lot of play from the media as being "the scariest team in the AFC." I understand the reasoning but let's take a look at their four game run to .500% and a division title. They beat a below average Raiders team at home. Then they needed a minor miracle to come back and beat the 2-14 Chiefs. A road win at Tampa Bay looked impressive at the time, but considering the Bucs then lost to the Raiders and finished up losing four in a row, it wasn't that great. The Chargers then of course finished up by beating the fading Broncos at home who were already defeated before the game started. Not to take anything away from the accomplishment, but San Diego still lost eight games, and is a mediocre team. The Colts haven't been dominant in their nine game win streak, but they are doing much of things they did in their Super Bowl run two years ago. The defense is playing better and Peyton Manning is playing more of a manage the game style, rather than compiling gaudy stats. It still earned him the MVP and I like their chances this postseason.

Pick: Indianapolis 28, San Diego 24

Wild Card Weekend: Atlanta at Arizona

Atlanta Falcons (11-5) vs Arizona Cardinals (9-7)
Saturday January 3rd, 4:30 PM, NBC
University of Phoenix Stadium
Favorite: Falcons (-1)

I haven't thought too highly of the Cardinals this year. They have feasted on a week division for six of their nine wins and have not played very well on the road. They also don't have a particularly good defense (19th in YPG and 28th in PPG). For a while, I was fairly certain they would not win a playoff game this season, but as the year went on I began to feel like they might be able to win one at home, depending on the matchup. Atlanta has had an awesome season and an even brighter future. For this game though, I think it will be tough. They have boh a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback, and while those guys have done as good of a job as anybody, it get's significantly more difficult in the playoffs. It would be very wise of the Falcons to grab an early lead and hope that doubt seeps into the Cardinals minds. It will be a long day if they are trying to chase the game and come from behind against the high flying offense of Arizona.

Pick: Arizona 31, Atlanta 24