Not the greatest matchups for home teams. Terrible actually. What's even more terrible? We got possibly the best playoff matchup in the wildcard this year. Colts are 12-4 and the Chargers are 8-8...AND THE COLTS ARE ON THE ROAD. Playoff system is incredibly fair huh? We need BCS in the NFL for realz! Odds all the away teams win this week are at 90,000:1. I heard that somewhere, probably The Herd or Tirico. With that said, all the away teams aren't going to win. That would be absurd. So onto the picks!
Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals - The matchup of a rookie QB and a rookie coach going against a veteran QB and the best WR core in the NFL. Neither team has great wins. Atlanta beat a streaking Minnesota team and Arizona beat lolDallas. Arizona has been good (not great) at home this year, and laying eggs like a henhouse the last few weeks. With that said, Atlanta has been winning all their games lately, but none were wins by more than 7 points. In a close game, I cannot feasibly take a rookie QB and rookie coach on the road in the playoffs. Arizona wins.
Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers - The Colts went on a fucking amazing 9-0 streak to end the season in a tough division. The Chargers lucked their way into the playoffs with an 8-8 record in one of the worst divisions in football, but hey, they won 5 strait. I think the key to this game for the chargers will be Cromartie. If he can hold Wayne to under 100 yards, the Chargers MAY, may stand a chance. I still don't think it's a very good one. The Colts will need to get the running game going to at least keep the Chargers honest, but I don't suspect they need any 100+ yard performances. I said several weeks ago that Warner was the MVP. LOL @ me. I was wrong and incredibly stupid. I've been hyping this game all week, although I don't suspect it to be a close game. In the playoffs, flaws get exposed. The Chargers biggest flaw is defense and you have the (arguably) best QB ever going against them. Colts steamroll the Chargers.
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins - Two very hot teams coming in. The Ravens are 4-1 in their last 5 against a brutal schedule they've played. The Dolphins are 5-0 in their last 5. The difference maker in this game? Chad Pennington. Stat of the week! In games where Pennington throws an INT, the dolphins are 3-4. Not great. And considering that he's going up against one of the league's best defenses, it doesn't look great. If the Dolphins play like they have all season, with no more than 1 turnover and forcing the Ravens into 2 or 3, they'll win. I don't predict this to be as high scoring as the first matchup, and I have to homer it up and take the Dolphins.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings - Not a lot to say here, I get Jim Johnson's defense against....Tavaris Jackson? This is not a great matchup for the Vikings, and my only concern is that EVERYONE thinks this. When everyone thinks the same thing, the opposite oftentimes happens. If the Vikings slow down Westbrook (which they are capable of), then it could be closer than anticipated. Don't see it happening though.