PREVIEW - WILD CARD WEEKEND

Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals (Sat. Jan 3rd, 4:30 pm)
Line: Falcons -2
O/U: 51
You know what? I'm going with the Cardinals. They've played great at home all year, and the franchise hasn't had a playoff win in a VERY long time. Arizona scored 14 points at home against Minnesota, but has 29+ in every other home game, including the one against the Giants...and if you haven't seen New York play, they're pretty darn good. So Atlanta will really need a solid defensive effort, and though I trust Matt Ryan and the offense, I'm just unsure of the D. If it's a shootout, I think Arizona can pull it off. Then again, Atlanta has been surprising me all season. If they do it again, no hard feelings...
Cards +2. Arizona can keep up with the NFC until they have to travel East. Which would be their next stop...Cards win a wild one, 37-34.

Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers (Sat. Jan 3rd, 8pm)
Line: Colts -1
O/U: 51
Logic dictates that the Colts, who are on a big winning streak and have been playing quite well on both sides of the ball, will beat the Chargers, who snuck into the playoffs at .500 and were downright awful in a good number of their games this season. Of course, the NFL is never that simple, as the Chargers are playing pretty well right now, too. I think the playoff experience will show through for the Colts, even if the Chargers play with the "we deserve to be here" chip on their shoulders.
Colts -1. Indy wins another great game, 33-31.

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins (Sun. Jan 4th, 1pm)
Line: Ravens -3
O/U: 37.5
The Fins played great to get to the playoffs, but now they're in the deep end of the pool with the big kids, and the Ravens will be strong enough to hold them under until the bubbles stop. I'm high on the Ravens right now, but look at what they've done lately...they've really been beating teams badly!
Ravens -3. Baltimore drowns the fish 27-16.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings (Sun. Jan 4th, 4:30pm)
Line: Eagles -3
O/U: 42
Until I sat down to pick the games, I "knew" I was going with the Eagles. Now that I have actually put some thought into it, I'm not so sure. Against solid defensive teams, the Eagles have struggled. They lost twice to the Redskins. They won, but only managed 5 field goals against the Steelers. If Minnesota can get the offense going at all, they should be able to stay in the game, and maybe even win. But there are two reasons I am staying with my gut and taking the Eagles. 1. Minnesota tends to start slowly on defense, and allow teams to get out on them early. If the Eagles can put up some early points, the defense can hold the lead for them. 2. Philly has been in a lot of tough games lately, that were must-win games...and they prevailed. They're battle tested. And a second round Eagles-Giants game would be awfully fun to watch!
Eagles -3. Philly wins 20-14.