Everything You Need To Get Ready for Wild Card Weekend

Sunday Edition

Here are the results of Saturday's picks:

As usual, Scott fared better than me.  We both lost with the Cardinals defeating "our" Falcons in the afternoon game.  Scott won the night cap as the Chargers got some help from the referees and an outrageous performance by Darren Sproles to beat the Colts at home.  So Scott went 1-1, and the self-proclaimed "blithering idiot" (Jordan), went 0-2.

Baltimore (-3) @ Miami

Now that the Dolphins successfully completed the worst to first story line after beating the Jets in New York last week, they'll face a very tough six seed in the Ravens on Sunday.  Ravens QB Joe Flacco has been an excellent game manager this year, as Scott pointed out in the Saturday edition of this preview.   But if he performs like the other rookie quarterback in this year's playoffs, Falcons QB Matt Ryan, it's going to be a quick exit for the Ravens.  

On the other side of things, while the Dolphins are the higher seed and have the home game, they are the underdogs because the Ravens were really a better version of them this season.  The Ravens offense ranked 11th in the NFL this season while the Dolphins ranked just 21st.  On the defensive side of the ball, Baltimore, known for its stifling defense ranked 3rd in the league, allowing just over 15 points per game.  Miami's defense was much improved and very good this year too, but ranked 9th in the league allowing almost 20 points per game.

By the numbers, the Ravens would obviously have the edge.  But the Dolphins have continued to silence their critics this season after an excellent 11-5 run in a tough AFC East.  And, whenever it seems the Dolphins aren't supposed to win, they continue to do so time and time again.  That's why I like Tony Sparano's 'Fins in the early match-up.  But, why listen to me?  I'm always wrong.

Scott's Pick:  Baltimore Jordan's Pick:  Miami

Philadelphia (-3) @ Minnesota

After their infamous tie against the Bengals in which Donovan McNabb idiotically admitted he didn't know an NFL game could end in that fashion, the beleaguered QB has been nothing short of spectacular since.  He has thrown 9 touchdown passes and 1 interception during that stretch, and has once again silenced his critics and the lunatic Eagles fans that were once again ready to run him out of town.  Despite the Eagles up and down season, and their bizarre 9-6-1 record, Philadelphia is a dangerous team to tangle with in the playoffs.  Under Andy Reid, the Eagles have never lost a first round playoff game, and they have reached the NFC Championship four times.

The Vikings on the other hand have had a series of disappointments in the playoffs recently.  Then again, they usually burn out and fail to make it to the post season, but with Chicago's loss in Houston last week the Vikes clinched before their win over the Giants on a last second field goal by Ryan Longwell.  While they have an incredible running game with the incomparable Adrian Peterson and former feature back Chester Taylor, their passing game is their X-factor.  If Tavaris Jackson (or maybe even Gus Frerotte) is bad, conventional wisdom would suggest the Vikings have no chance of being serious playoff contenders.  It's likely that Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson will challenge the Vikings quarterbacks to beat them and stuff the box to contain Peterson.  If they can get some solid QB play, however, this could be a long day for the Eagles.  The Metrodome is one of the loudest and most difficult venues for road teams in the NFL.

The Eagles are a better team than the Vikings, but the Vikings defense can keep the Philly offense in check.  And with the Vikings having home field advantage and a lot to prove in this year's playoffs, expect them to come up with a big victory at home against the Eagles.

Scott's Pick:  Philadelphia Jordan's Pick:  Minnesota