4 months of awesome Sundays and occasional Thursday and Monday nights are over, and now it's time to begin the race for the Lombardi trophy. Our wildcard games have been set. Let's do this thing in chronological order.
JANUARY 7TH---3:30PM CENTRAL ON NBC
#6 CINCINNATI @ #3 HOUSTON
When these two teams played four weeks ago, Houston won 20-19.
This is a hard one to call right off the bat. First and foremost, we have to find out if T.J. Yates will be healthy enough to play. Who ever thought that sentence would be uttered in a playoff situation? Jake Delhomme is so bad that he is not even worthy of an analogy, so therefore I won't make one. He sucks. No matter who is at quarterback, look for the Texans to rely on a heavy dose of Arian Foster and Ben Tate. Andre Johnson's return to the lineup just doesn't seem that dangerous, given how much time he has missed. If Delhomme starts, and I don't think that will be the case, then Cincinnati is my pick. Yates has proved to be competent though, and I think it will make for a close game assuming he gets the start.
On the other side, this will be Andy Dalton's first playoff game of his young career. The Bengals have had issues running the ball in the last few weeks. Cedric Benson should continue to get fewer carries in favor of Bernard Scott. Scott is faster, and has big play ability. I think Cincinnati wins if they can get one or two big plays. Houston has a rare ability to bring a lot of heat without compromising the secondary too much. It doesn't mean they won't blitz, but it means that Dalton could see constant pressure all day long. Dalton has proven to be pretty efficient, given the fact that he's a rookie. Can A.J. Green, Jerome Simpson, or even Jermaine Gresham get loose for a big play? If so, the Texans will be in trouble.
Jacoby Jones of the Texans and Brandon Tate of the Bengals have proven to be electrifying return men. It'll be interesting to see if one of them can break loose.
Houston finally has a playoff game. Reliant Stadium should be rocking. Both teams are probably happy with the matchup they drew. Neither team figures to see the light of day after this weekend.
KT'S PICK: Assuming Yates starts, Houston 23-17...if Delhomme starts, Cincinnati 24-10
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JANUARY 7TH---7:00PM CENTRAL ON NBC
#6 DETROIT @ #3 NEW ORLEANS
The Detroit pass defense is beyond awful. Matt Flynn is not a 500 yard 6 TD quarterback. He's just not. The Lions are also one of the most undisciplined teams in the league, aside from maybe Oakland. New Orleans is currently one of the hottest and best teams in the league. I suspect this won't end well for Stu Cedar and the Mufasa's.
The Lions have a decent run defense, and one of the worst pass defense in the league. I know i'm speaking the obvious here, but the Saints should light up the scoreboard on Detroit. There's a reason Chicago released Chris Harris. Not only is he a moron, he's also terrible. The Lions only hope defensively, is to minimize damage. Field Goals instead of Touchdowns. Bring pressure, and try to create turnovers because the Saints will get their yards either way. On the ground, in the air, the yardage will come. Detroit must eliminate touchdowns and force field goals.
The Lions have games where they look unstoppable on offense too though, and I feel like they have the fire power to square off with the Saints. The Lions must get something out of the running game though. Stafford has tons of weapons, but overall I just feel like the Lions aren't quite ready.
KT'S PICK: The Saints are on a roll, and they haven't lost at home this year. The Lions come off as really immature and inexperienced. I also think losing a game that they tried to win in Green Bay will have a negative carry over effect on them. I predict a close game for three quarters, with the Saints pulling away in the end.
SAINTS 45-34
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JANUARY 8TH---NOON CENTRAL ON FOX
#5 ATLANTA @ #4 NEW YORK GIANTS
This is another fun little playoff football game. The Falcons have to be happy to play the Giants instead of the Saints, but honestly who ever really knows what kind of team the Giants will run out there?
I wonder how hard the Giants will try to establish the run. Ahmad Bradshaw looks like he's close to 100% now, while Brandon Jacobs looks like he's out of steam. Atlanta is pretty good against the run too, but the Giants will help the Atlanta secondary out immensely if they fail to pose a threat on the ground.
That Falcons pass defense was exposed by Green Bay last year, and I could easily see it happening again. Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz can be potentially deadly for Atlanta.
On offense the Falcons can play any type of game, but I see them really trying to establish a running game with Michael Turner to keep the Giants pass rushers from cheating. Protection is key, and the Falcons offensive line won't have a chance to protect Ryan if they are kept in a lot of passing downs.
This one is hard to pick. The Giants are one of the most bipolar teams in the league. They'll be world beaters on week, and look like monkey poop the next.
KT'S PICK: I think we'll see a close and high scoring game, but I think the Giants show up. They put the pressure on and Atlanta simply does not. This could go either way, but i'm leaning towards Giants 31-27
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JANUARY 8TH-330PM CENTRAL ON CBS
#5 PITTSBURGH @ #4 DENVER
Tim Tebow isn't good. Throw out the fact that Rashard Mendenhall and safety Ryan Clark are not playing, Denver still won't have enough to win. Tim Tebow has been exposed in the last few weeks. This exposure will continue on a higher level against Pittsburgh.
Denver's defense is pretty stingy, and Ben Roethlisberger's injured ankle is a huge concern for Pittsburgh, but I honestly don't see the Steelers needing to score much.
I don't feel like there is too much to break down. A bad offense against a good defense will call for hardly any points for Denver, while a good offense against a good defense will grant the Steelers marginal success, but enough to win the game.
KT'S PICK: Steelers 16-7
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