Wild Card Weekend Picks

Loren had to make up one game on me just to have a chance of tying by the end of the playoffs.  He did just that with a 4-2 record. Of course now he has to pick against me in every game and hope I’m wrong 100% of the time. On to the playoffs.

Standings
Derek 68-34
Loren 57-45

Cincinnati at Houston

Loren – Cincinnati. Uh…AJ Green is awesome? The Bengals defense isn’t terrible? Actually, the best thing the Bengals have going for them is that Houston has been atrocious on offense. If the Texans don’t wake up early in this one, they risk an ignominious first round exit.

Derek – Houston. I know the Texans haven’t been playing well and Schaub hasn’t looked good in a bit. But this is the playoffs were defense and ball control rule. Texans have a heck of a defense with JJ Watt and can run the ball with Foster. Of course if they need to pass it there’s that Andrea Johnson guy out there.

Minnesota at Green Bay

Loren – Minnesota. The Packers couldn’t stop AP when it mattered last week. Why should we assume they’ll do it this time? If Peterson can be that effective, giving Ponder plenty of time to pick his targets, the defense just has to keep Green Bay within reach. Rodgers threw for 4 scores last week and that still wasn’t enough. This is a very winnable game for the Vikings.

Derek – Green Bay. Sure these teams just played, but this one’s in Green Bay and not a dome. I don’t think Aaron Rodgers will be happy scoring anything less than 35. Can the Viks keep up? Only if AP breaks 5 TD runs so, yeah I guess it could happen.

Indianapolis at Baltimore

Loren – Indianapolis. Baltimore would be a much scarier playoff team if their defense showed some form. The biggest wild card here is Luck’s play on the road where he’s been slightly better than mediocre. He’ll need a mistake free game (and another week of helpful refereeing) to walk out of Baltimore a winner.

Derek – Baltimore. The Ravens D is a wounded animal, don’t mess around with wounded animal. This will either be the last of the Ravens as we know them or they’ll play with their hair on fire out of pride. I think they’ve got one in them.

Seattle at Washington

Loren – Washington. It’s not like Derek to take a west coast team traveling across the country. Let’s hope it works to my advantage. Does Seattle have anyone that can spy RGIII without opening holes for Alfred Morris? More importantly, which rookie QB will crack first? RGIII has more athleticism, but Wilson has a better defense to bail him out after a mistake.

Derek – Seattle. I went back and forth on these, I don’t like long road trips but there’s something about Seattle’s D. Even when the offense isn’t clicking they can keep the Seahawks in a game. I think they’ll do just enough to slow down the Redskins running game and eek out the road win.