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I ended the regular season on a great note going 11-4-1 last week, ending my mini slump.
Let’s see if I can keep it going in Wild Card Weekend. As a bonus I’ll also be picking the over/under for each game.
New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Jets trounced the Bengals 37-0 last week to reach the playoffs, but this game will have a much different feeling. For one the game will be in Cincinnati and the Bengals will get back Cedric Benson and Domata Peko among others. However, I still like the Jets to win the game.
The Jets boast the rushing attack in the league and love to play an old school ground and pound attack. No team has been able to stop them, which will mask Mark Sanchez and the weak passing game. The Bengals run a similar offense to the Jets though they have a passing weapon in Chad Ochocinco, but he will be covered by Darrelle Revis, who has shut down every receiver he’s faced all year. With Ochocinco shut down it will force the Bengals to be a one-dimensional team against the leagues number one defense.
The Pick: Take the Jets (+2.5) and the Over (33.5)
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
The NFC East rivals square off for the third time this season and for the second straight week. The Cowboys have swept the season series, which included a 24-0 thwarting last week.
Now the Cowboys aren’t as good as they were last week and the Eagles aren’t as bad, but I still like the Cowboys. The ‘Boys have managed to take out DeSean Jackson both times and without his big play ability the Eagles offense is less than intimidating. The run game has struggled to do much all year and other than Bret Celek they have no other proven receivers.
Don’t let the a team can’t beat a team three times in a season scare you off. The Steelers did it last year to the Ravens.
The Pick: Take the Cowboys (-4) and the Over (45)Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
These teams also met this season, the meeting coming in week, where the Pats won 27-21. This rematch will have a different feel, especially for the Patriots, who will be without Wes Welker.
The man taking his place, Julian Edelman, will be under heavy pressure to replace the trusted slot man. He may be a rookie, but I feel like he can get the job done this week especially against a poor Baltimore secondary.
The real advantage here is that the Patriots will be playing at home. They’re 8-0 at home this season and I expect them to be 9-0 after they take care of the Ravens.
The Pick: Take the Patriots (-3.5) and the Under
Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
Yet another rematch from last week, but much can’t be taken from the Packers beat down on the Cards as the Cards played their backups. The Packers come into Arizona riding high, winning six of their past seven, their only loss coming at the last seconds to Pittsburgh.
The Packer’s late season surge can be attributed to the o-line play which allowed only nine sacks in the last seven weeks. The turnaround started when right tackle Mark Tauscher returned from injury to solidify the position. Another reason has been the emergence o tight end Jermichael Finley, who Aaron Rodgers has targeted often when facing pressure.
The Cardinals are simply too banged up and could be without Anquan Boldin and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on Sunday. I like the Cardinals, but the Packers are a very dangerous team and I wouldn’t be surprised if they win another game or two.
The Pick: Take the Packers (+1) and the Under (47)
