2012 is here and the first post of 2012 is predictions for the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. Lots of intriguing matchups this first week of the playoffs and will be tough to pick.
(FYI, this is my opinion, the main thing is who I'm picking & not the score...)
The first game on Saturday will see Cincinnati vs Houston. This is a rematch of a regular season game in week 14 which saw Houston win at Cincy. This time the game will be in Houston. This is the first time the Texans have reached the playoffs & this is the third time for Cincy since 1990 (which was the last time they won a playoff game). The Texans are essentially on their 3rd string QB as they lost their top two to injury during the season. Cincy has a rookie QB in Andy Dalton starting for them. Though Houston had a stumble towards the end of the regular season, I think their defense will be enough to get them through this round and get their first ever playoff win.
Texans 27 Bengals 17
The second game on Saturday will see Detroit vs New Orleans. This game is also a rematch of a regular season game in week 13 in which New Orleans won at home. For Detroit, this is the first time they've been in the playoffs since 1999. New Orleans is two years removed from their Super Bowl win. The Lions have an explosive passing offense but not much of a running game. The Saints offense are clicking on all cylinders & QB Drew Brees is an MVP candidate. Like the Texans/Bengals matchup, don't think Lions will get revenge here. Saints will roll.
Saints 37 Lions 24
The first Sunday game is Atlanta vs the New York Giants. Atlanta is in the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in their history and a year removed from being the #1 seed in the NFC. The Giants are in the playoffs since 2008 season, the year after they won the Super Bowl. Some are saying this Giants team is like the Super Bowl team of 2007. I'm not so sure. I think this Falcons team is better than last year's team and I think could be "sleeper" team to make the Super Bowl. It'll be close but I think Matty Ice (Matt Ryan) will get his first playoff win.
Falcons 27 Giants 20
The final Wild Card game is Pittsburgh vs Denver. Big Ben vs Timmy Tebow. This is probably the matchup that everybody "knows" how it's going to be. Pittsburgh did a good job in bucking the trend of Super Bowl losers the previous year not making the playoff the next year. Since 2000 only Tennessee in 2000, Seattle in 2006 and Indianapolis in 2009 and now Pittsburgh pulled it off. In the previous 3 instances, only the Seahawks won a playoff game that next playoff season (the WC game against Cowboys with the botched FG attempt). The Steelers come into this game with a hurt Big Ben (who should play) and a now hurt RB Rashard Mendenhall (who is out for the playoffs) but have a very tough defense. The Broncos are in the playoffs for the first time since 2005 and did so by "backing" into the playoffs. It has been a roller coaster year with Tebow at the helm after a 1-4 start. They had a 7-1 run then lost their last 3. A lot (and I mean a lot) of people are bashing Tebow (rightly so or not). I don't think I've ever seen a player who was a "nice guy" who gets critiqued so heavily. Although I'm not happy that Tebow helped contribute to the Titans not making the playoffs (with the crazy scenarios) I'm tired of so many people bashing him. Most everybody is picking the Steelers to demolish Denver. But this game is in Mile High and don't know how mobile Big Ben will be. This game has a feeling of last season's Saints/Seahawks game. We all know how that game turned out. I think for at least one more time this season, it'll be Tebow Time
Broncos 20 Steelers 17
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