Cincinnati (+4.5) at Houston
Two teams that met in the Wild Card round last season will meet in Houston once again on Saturday. The Houston Texans held one of the league's best records all season, before sputtering to a 1-3 record down the stretch to give up position for a bye week. The Cincinnati Bengals are playing much better football, going 7-1 in the second half of the season giving them consecutive playoff appearances for just the second time in franchise history. The Texans 11-1 start helped them win the AFC South and secure home field for this round. The Reliant Stadium crowd will be as loud as ever. Matt Schaub will be starting his first playoff game, since he was injured during last year's postseason. The Texans won their 2012 Wild Card matchup easily, 31-10 over the Bengals despite Schaub's absence. There are some differences to the teams this time around, but not enough to force a different outcome. Houston will bounce back and send Cincinnati packing once again.
Prediction - Houston 30 Cincinnati 17
Saturday, 8
Minnesota (+7.5) at Green Bay
NFC North rivals will battle for the second week in a row at Lambeau Field Saturday night. The Minnesota Vikings are fresh off of a victory over Green Bay to secure their unlikely spot in the playoffs. Minnesota took the last Wild Card spot by virtue of a 37-34 win over Green Bay in which Adrian Peterson ran wild over the Pack. Peterson had his way with Green Bay in both meetings this year, much like he did the rest of the NFL. There is no stopping AP, but can he do enough to lead Minnesota to victory if they can't stop Aaron Rodgers? That is debatable. Rodgers will certainly be playing with a chip on his shoulder after the way Green Bay was ousted from last year's playoffs. The Packers get the Vikings in frigid Green Bay, which will play into their favor. Minnesota will have to match Green Bay point for point. I don't think they can handle it two weeks in a row. The Packers will force the ball into Christian Ponder's hands as much as possible and find a way to escape Wild Card weekend with a win.
Prediction - Green Bay 28 Minnesota 20
Sunday, 1
Indianapolis (+6.5) at Baltimore
There are plenty of story lines in this AFC Wild Card game. The Colts return to the city that they once proudly represented. Chuck Pagano's return from his battle with leukemia continues against the team that he was Defensive Coordinator for a year ago. Ray Lewis returns from injury to play in what could be his final game. Andrew Luck plays in his first playoff game to cap off an outstanding rookie season. All of those things make this an intriguing matchup. One of the keys to this game will be the turnover battle. As magnificent as Luck has been this year, he has been a little turnover prone. If the Ravens can force him into mistakes they should win this game. Say what you want about Joe Flacco, but he wins in the playoffs. Andrew Luck hasn't proven he can yet. I picked the Ravens to win the AFC in the preseason. They haven;t given me much to believe in that prediction as of late, but I do think they get the better of the Colts on Sunday and end their fairy tale season.
Prediction - Baltimore 24 Indianapolis 19
Sunday, 4:30
Seattle (-2.5) at Washington
The Seattle Seahawks travel to nation's capital on Sunday to take on the Washington Redskins. Neither of these teams were expected to be playoff contenders before the season started, yet here they are. Two of the league's dynamic young rookies square off in just the second time that rookie QBs have lined up across from each other in playoff history. Russell Wilson won the job in Seattle during the preseason and lead the Seahawks to an 11-5 record. RG3 was given the reigns from day one in DC. Griffin has lead the 'Skins to seven consecutive wins and their first NFC East crown since 1999. The difference between these teams is that Seattle has one of the hardest hitting and stingiest defenses in the league. If Wilson protects the ball, Seattle's ball hawking defense will be enough to extend their season.
Prediction - Seattle 27 Washington 24
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