Totally Unsubstantiated Wildcard Predictions

Writers and bloggers love to make bold predictions for games because there really are no repercussions if I get them wrong – unlike in life.  So I’ll make some super-specific prognostications about the four Wild Card games this weekend and see if they come true.  ‘Cause if they don’t, no one will care:

New York Jets at Cincinnati (Saturday, 4:30 EST):

• Like Baltimore’s Joe Flacco and Atlanta’s Matt Ryan last year, rookie quarterbacks usually crap the bed in their first playoff game.  Mark Sanchez hasn’t been asked to lead the Jets this year, with good reason.  He’ll throw for 200 yards and one interception against an underappreciated defensive backfield.

• Even though Carson Palmer has been in the league for seven years, this is only his second playoff game, and remember that he was knocked out early in his first playoff game (in 2006) against Pittsburgh with an ACL tear that some thought would end his career.  He has scarcely more postseason experience than Sanchez, so he’ll get similar numbers: 225 yards and a pick.

• Rex Ryan is the type of head coach that burns fast and quickly.  His team will get tired of his act fast, but thank goodness this is his first year and he has them following him all the way to the Weser River if need be.  That means that the Jets D will be the story of the game.  Darrell Revis will shut Chad Ochocinco down to two passes, and the defense will sack Palmer four times.

Prediction: Jets 20, Bengals 10

Philadelphia at Dallas (Saturday, 8 EST):

• The story of the game will be the Cowboys defense teeing off on Eagles Center Nick Cole.  With the loss of starter Jamal Jackson, the undersized and green Cole will be overwhelmed keeping track of blocking assignments while protecting Donovan McNabb.  Give Dallas five sacks, one each to DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, and Bradie James.

• Meanwhile, the Cowboys secondary, already having an easy time because the front seven is controlling McNabb like a puppet, will shut down the Eagles’ passing attack.  There will be one touchdown in garbage time, possibly on a screen pass to Brian Westbrook.

• Tony Romo won’t have a great game.  Eagles Defensive Coordinator Sean McDermott will get a better effort from his troops even if it’s not enough.  Miles Austin will score a touchdown, as will Jason Witten.  But the game will get out of hand and Romo will hand off for much of the second half, so he’ll throw for less than 250 yards.

Prediction: Cowboys 21, Eagles 7

Baltimore at New England (Sunday, 1 EST):

• Don’t let the Ravens’ rushing dominance over Oakland last week fool you.  The Raiders’ strength is their passing defense but they’re horrible on the ground, so that’s why Willis McGahee ran wild and scored three touchdowns.  Bill Belichick will squirt enough oil into the joints of his defensive crew to keep the output of Baltimore’s running game to a manageable level – say, 125 yards total, with Ray Rice scoring one touchdown.

• The Patriots run game has to not suck.  With Laurence Maroney and Fred Taylor able to play, they’ll have to rotate with Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, and even BenJarvus Green-Ellis to give the receiving crew space and one-on-one situations.  I believe they’ll be able to churn out a total of 100 extremely tough yards and win the time of possession battle, thereby giving the old guys on the defensive side time to rest their creaky bones.

• Obviously, Wes Welker’s injury hurts.  However, the Ravens don’t have the cornerbacks to take advantage (their two starters are injured).  Therefore, I think Tom Brady is smart enough to find a way to pass his way down the field without his workhouse receiver.  Welker’s replacement, Julian Edelman, went over 100 yards in their victory over Houston last week.  Expect another triple-digit day from him.  And since Randy Moss will be needed now more than ever, he’ll get his head out of his butt and receive for 75 yards, just like he did last week.  And Ben Watson will score the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Patriots 24, Ravens 21

Green Bay at Arizona (Sunday, 4:40 EST):

• The Cardinals did the right thing not showing all their “cards” (see what I did there?) in their game last week.  It keeps Kurt Warner fresh for the game that really counts, and it’ll pay dividends.  He’ll throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns behind an offensive line that’ll yield only one sack.

• With Anquan Boldin probably not playing because of a high ankle sprain, Packers Cornerback Charles Woodson will get Larry Fitzgerald on lockdown; he’ll have to settle for 50 yards and no touchdowns.  However, this allows for, of all people, Steve Breaston to run wild and free.  Expect him to receive for at least 75 yards and score one TD.

• Aaron Rodgers will also have a productive game, passing for 275 yards and three touchdowns while handing the ball off to Ryan Grant, who’ll run for 75 and score a TD.  But I have this feeling that Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt has something up his sleeve.  I predict that the Cardinals front seven will find a way to rattle the Packers offensive line, which has been playing great after having a very rocky start to the season.  Rodgers will be sacked three times, one of them resulting in a fumble and turnover at some point in the second half.  Such defensive pressure will offset the potential loss of Defensive Back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Prediction: Cardinals 41, Packers 37