WILD CARD WEEKEND PICKS

Saturday's Games:
ATLANTA (-2.5) @ Arizona
The Falcons look to continue their remarkable turnaround from last season as they travel to Arizona to face the fading Cardinals. Don't be fooled by the perception that the Cards have an offense that is so prolific that Atlanta won't be able to keep up. In reality, the Cardinals only average four more yards per game. In fact the Falcons balanced attack averages more than twice as much yardage on the ground (152/game vs. 73/game) and is much better suited to playoff football. Look for Michael Turner to smile a lot as he puts up some big numbers and the Falcons control the clock to keep the Cardinals offense off the field.

INDIANAPOLIS (-1.5) @ San Diego
The Colts are the hottest team in the NFL heading into the playoffs, riding a nine game win streak that included a victory over the Chargers. In addition to San Diego's laughable 8-8 record, they are battling injuries to their top two weapons, LT and Gates. While both are expected to play, neither is expected to be at full speed. Also, don't worry about the game being away for the Colts because they have been just as effective on the road as they have been at home, sporting a 6-2 record in both.

Sunday's Games:
BALTIMORE (-3) @ Miami

While many are impressed with Miami's turnaround, the teams they have played to get there suck. Their schedule is less impressive than Chad Pennington's ability to look cool. Check him out side by side with the guy who played Corky.

The only playoff team that the Dolphins beat was the 8-8 Chargers. In their other two games against playoff teams, they were dismantled by the Cardinals 10-31 and also beaten down by these very Ravens, 13-27. Expect more of the same as the Baltimore defense has been on fire recently while the offense has really gotten the running game going with the McGahee/McClain combo. If I did locks during the playoffs, this would get it.

PHILADELPHIA (-3) @ Minnesota

This is probably the hardest of this weekend's games to predict and that's because the Eagles continue to be the most unpredictable team in the NFL. I believe that they will show up to make a run this year and that they may even give the Giants a very difficult matchup next week. On the Vikings side I have not been very impressed with the teams they are able to beat (I don't include the Giants' second string last week as a good victory) and think that having Jackson instead of Frerotte at QB will take them down unless he only hands off the Peterson. However, the Eagles will have the box stuffed with 8 guys and dare Jackson to throw.

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