NFL 2012: Wild Card Weekend
Four terrific games kickoff the NFL playoffs with a rematch of Bengals/Texans to start things off. It's been a great NFL season and the playoffs should be even better. Let's get right down to business with my picks for Wild Card weekend.
Wild Card Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Bengals over TEXANS: Will this finally be the year the Bengals win a playoff game? In one word, yes, and here's why. The Bengals have won seven of their last eight while the Texans have lost three of their last four. History has shown that the teams that get hot right before the playoffs tend to do pretty well, just look at Giants last season. They ended up winning the whole thing.
Another reason why the Bengals can win in Houston is because of their defense. Mike Zimmer's squad has not given more than 20 points in any of the last eight games and they have arguably one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. Lead by Pro Bowler Geno Atkins, the Bengals defensive line must win the battle in the trenches to stop RB Arian Foster and the Houston rushing attack.
If the Bengals can stop the Texans from running the football, they themselves run the ball with "The Law Firm" aka BenJarvus Green-Ellis and QB Andy Dalton takes care of the football, the Bengals win this game. It's going to be a great day to be a Bengals fan. Bengals 24, Texans 17. Who-Dey!
GREEN BAY over Minnesota: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson has been nothing short of spectacular this season coming up just 9 yards short of breaking the single-season rushing record. The Packers have had trouble stopping the run all season and Peterson run for a combined 409-yards in the Vikings two games against the Packers this season. As good as Peterson has been, I still like Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at home in Lambeau Field to come out on top. Peterson and the Vikings will keep it close though.
BALTIMORE over Indianapolis: Amazing what the Colts were able to accomplish this season with a rookie quarterback in Andrew Luck and missing their head coach, Chuck Pagano, for most of the season. After having the worst record in the league last year, the Colts are back in the playoffs and they will be facing a Baltimore Ravens team that has struggled as of late. Ravens LB Ray Lewis has said that this will be his final season in the league and I think the future Hall of Famer will get to play one more week after the Ravens get by the Colts on Sunday.
WASHINGTON over Seattle: This has a chance to be the best game of the weekend with two rookie quarterbacks, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson, going at it in the nation's capital. I was really impressed by the Redskins last Sunday night against the Cowboys and even though the Seahawks have a good defense, I don't think it will be good enough to stop Washington's rushing attack for four quarters. RGIII and the Redskins win a close one.
Last Week: 12-4
Overall: 171-85
Wild Card Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Bengals over TEXANS: Will this finally be the year the Bengals win a playoff game? In one word, yes, and here's why. The Bengals have won seven of their last eight while the Texans have lost three of their last four. History has shown that the teams that get hot right before the playoffs tend to do pretty well, just look at Giants last season. They ended up winning the whole thing.
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| Pro Bowl WR A.J. Green is going to have to play well if the Bengals are going to win their first playoff game since 1990. (Photo Courtesy Bengals.com) |
Another reason why the Bengals can win in Houston is because of their defense. Mike Zimmer's squad has not given more than 20 points in any of the last eight games and they have arguably one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. Lead by Pro Bowler Geno Atkins, the Bengals defensive line must win the battle in the trenches to stop RB Arian Foster and the Houston rushing attack.
If the Bengals can stop the Texans from running the football, they themselves run the ball with "The Law Firm" aka BenJarvus Green-Ellis and QB Andy Dalton takes care of the football, the Bengals win this game. It's going to be a great day to be a Bengals fan. Bengals 24, Texans 17. Who-Dey!
GREEN BAY over Minnesota: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson has been nothing short of spectacular this season coming up just 9 yards short of breaking the single-season rushing record. The Packers have had trouble stopping the run all season and Peterson run for a combined 409-yards in the Vikings two games against the Packers this season. As good as Peterson has been, I still like Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at home in Lambeau Field to come out on top. Peterson and the Vikings will keep it close though.
BALTIMORE over Indianapolis: Amazing what the Colts were able to accomplish this season with a rookie quarterback in Andrew Luck and missing their head coach, Chuck Pagano, for most of the season. After having the worst record in the league last year, the Colts are back in the playoffs and they will be facing a Baltimore Ravens team that has struggled as of late. Ravens LB Ray Lewis has said that this will be his final season in the league and I think the future Hall of Famer will get to play one more week after the Ravens get by the Colts on Sunday.
WASHINGTON over Seattle: This has a chance to be the best game of the weekend with two rookie quarterbacks, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson, going at it in the nation's capital. I was really impressed by the Redskins last Sunday night against the Cowboys and even though the Seahawks have a good defense, I don't think it will be good enough to stop Washington's rushing attack for four quarters. RGIII and the Redskins win a close one.
Last Week: 12-4
Overall: 171-85
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