It’s playoff time in the NFL and this week, in what’s known as the Wild Card Weekend, every road team is favoured. That’s strange but not unprecedented.
Atlanta is favoured over Arizona by 2 1/2, Indy is favoured over San Diego by one (that will change by game day if LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, who missed practice all week, don’t play), the Ravens are favoured over Miami by three and Philly is favoured over Minnesota by 3 1/2. Guess that “idiot” (as he was called by the Philadelphia media three weeks ago) Andy Reid is a genius again after his Eagles beat a lousy Cowboys team 44-6 one week after losing 10-3 to the lousy Redskins. Gawd, the mainstream media is fickle.
Anyway, it’s time to look closely at our four playoff games. Remember, all four NEVER come in the way the oddsmakers predict, so be prepared to consider an upset.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7)
This one is about the rookie first-round pick who was the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year this season against the veteran no-draft pick who has already won a Super Bowl. It’s also about two great offences and one team with a superior defence. And that’s why that team should win. Ryan vs. Warner will be intriguing. Atlanta’s defence will win the game.
Take Atlanta
SATURDAY NIGHT
Indianapolis Colts (12-4) at San Diego Chargers (8-8)
These guys have met so often in recent years, it’s almost as if you’d consider them division rivals. This will be the fourth time in the past two seasons the teams have faced each other and in the first three games, the difference was a mere nine points. This one, however, will not be close. The Colts have won nine straight. The Chargers shouldn’t even be here and although they’re at home, a 12-win team will beat an eight-win team anytime.
Take Indianapolis
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Miami Dolphins (11-5)
It has been a remarkable turnaround — perhaps the greatest in NFL history — for the Dolphins, from 1-15 to 11-5. This week, however, they have a tough one, a team that beat them 27-13 at Dolphin Stadium on Oct. 19. They say you fill the building with offence and win with defence. I doubt Baltimore will score very much, but I don’t think the Dolphins will score more.
Take Baltimore
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
The Eagles enter as 3 1/2-point favourites, largely because they walloped the Dallas Cowboys 44-6 last week. Which is interesting because to everyone but the NFL media types who carry on a love affair with the Cowboys, Dallas isn’t a very good team. In fact, Tony Romo is only th-a-a-a-t much better than his girlfriend Jessica Simpson, when it comes to winning NFL games. And that’s why I think the Vikings have a good chance to win on Sunday. In fact, the Philadelphia Eagles I see are the Eagles who lost 10-3 to Washington two Sundays ago. To me, those are the real Eagles. The same Eagles who demolished a truly lousy Cowboys outfit last Sunday.
Take Minnesota
Last week: 13-3
Season: 154-101-1
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