NFL Wild-Card Games

A curious set of games this weekend as the visiting team is favored in three games and the fourth one is a pick'em.

First, here's a look back at what we predicted for the divisional order of finish and playoff teams entering the season.

We managed to get two right in the NFC, the Giants and Vikings. Considering the Giants are the only repeat NFC playoff team, we'll take it. In the AFC, we got half the teams correct with the Chargers, Steelers and Colts, although we had the Colts winning the AFC South.

I had the Giants winning the Super Bowl and will stick with that, although I doubt they'll be playing the Chargers, but you never know.

For the season we went 132-117-8, capped of with a 10-5-1 mark in Week 17.

Since both Saturday games are on NBC, The Olbermann Rule is in effect from approximately 4 to midnight eastern time.

SATURDAY
Falcons -2 CARDINALS: No team in the playoffs looked worse in December than the Cardinals, but since they're at home we figure they don't get smoked. Still, they can't run and are vulnerable against the run, a lethal combo. You might think Atlanta should be worried with a rookie QB on the road, but Matt Ryan isn't a typical rookie and has been running a pro offense for five years already. Falcons have had little national exposure this year, so a lot of folks will get a good look at Ryan and Michael Turner. Falcons 34-27

Colts E Chargers: The fourth meeting the past two seasons between these two, so there aren't any secrets, an margin was greater than four points, San Diego's 28-24 win in the divisional round last season. The Colts looked miserable early this year but have run off nine straight wins and Peyton Manning today won the NFL MVP. Still, Chargers are rolling, LT looks healthy and Philip Rivers is playing with a chip on his shoulder. Don't be surprised to see overtime here. Colts 31-28

SUNDAY
Ravens -3.5 DOLPHINS: Miami has been a nice rags-to-riches story but it ends here. A few reasons: Baltimore was a league best 12-3-1 against the spread, they beat the Fish 27-13 already in Miami this year and Miami plays with little margin for error while just 8-8 ATS. They've coughed up the ball the fewest times in the league, but Baltimore lives for the turnover and makes you pay for it. Ravens can pound it out and will do just enough to advance. Ravens 17-13

Eagles -3 VIKINGS: Minnesota staggered to the finish line in a bad division while Eagles are rolling. Always like the hot team in this situation. Travaris Jackson is barely serviceable at QB and after destroying Tony Romo last week Philly must be salivating for a crack at him. The only way I see the Vikings winning is if Adrian Peterson goes for about 200 yards. Good luck with that with the Eagles playing nine guys in the box daring Jackson to beat them. Seems even Minnesota fans are dubious, as they can't even sell out this game. One more tidbit: Vikings a miserable 6-10 against the spread. Eagles 24-10

NFL Week 16: Colts at Jaguars

We keep overlooking these Thursday night games, but remembered in the nick of time this week.

We went 7-6-3 in Week 15 and now stand at 117-101-7 for the season.

Colts -6 JAGUARS: The Colts were favored by seven originally and I have no idea why this line dropped. Colts are rolling with seven straight wins and can clinch a wildcard with a win tonight. Disappointing Jags just playing out the string. See liitle advantage for them playing at home. Indy rolls. Colts 27-7

NFL Divisional Playoffs

The best weekend of the football year is upon us, as the top teams are all in action and we have four pretty good matchups.

We got off to a 4-0 start against the spread on our playoff picks last weekend, continuing a hot hand from the 2007 playoffs, when we went 9-2.

Let's hope the magic continues.

You have an extra bonus this weekend as none of the games are on NBC, so you don't have to go out of your way to avoid the odious Keith Olbermann.

SATURDAY
Seahawks +8 PACKERS: Seattle has been pretty good on the road during the playoffs in recent years, keeping games close against Green Bay and Chicago, so I expect that trend to continue. Seahawks capitalized on Washington turnovers last week and good pass rush should force Brett Favre into a couple of mistakes. At the same time, Seattle's run game has been limited, so Matt Hasselbeck will be forced to throw plenty. Packers should be able to run with Ryan Grant. Spread's a bit high here, but home advantage means Packers get the slight edge. Packers 30-27

Jaguars +13.5 PATRIOTS: Jacksonville was fortunate to escape Pittsburgh last week after blowing 18-point lead. No shot they get that far ahead of the Patriots, who've had two weeks to rest and devise a scheme to slow down vaunted Jags running game. Weather will be in the high 30's at game time, so that's no factor. What is a factor is New England is 16-0 for a reason, and that's Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker and the aerial circus. Jags stick around for a while, but this should never be in doubt. Patriots 33-21

SUNDAY
Chargers +9 COLTS: Everyone expects Peyton Manning and the Colts to run roughshod over a Charger team that looked a bit shaky last week. But San Diego did beat them this season and has had past success in the RCA Dome. Manning threw six INT's in their November meeting, and while that won't happen again, Chargers should be able to force a couple of mistakes. How well Indy contains LaDainian Tomlinson is key, as Chargers have lost Antonio Gates, so don't expect much from Philip Rivers. Colts sweat one out. Colts 26-24

Giants +7.5 COWBOYS: A couple of fun facts at play here. Dallas hasn't won a playoff game since Barry Switzer led them to victory in Super Bowl XXX and Wade Phillips has never won a playoff game. When last seen in the playoffs, his Buffalo team was bamboozled by the Music City Miracle in Nashville. So what you've got here is a New York team playing with house money and supreme confidence, getting contributions from an assortment of rookies and free agents, and a quarterback in Eli Manning who came of age last week in Tampa. Terrell Owens will play, but should be limited, Tony Romo is under the microscope in Dallas and while the Giants defense may not sack him much, they should be able to contain him and force enough pressure that may result in a couple of turnovers. Giants will be able to stretch the field in the passing game and the 1-2 punch of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw could yield a big day on the ground. Our only upset of the week. Giants 28-24