Sean B. Fitzgerald It doesn’t go something like this, it goes exactly like this.

Wild Card Weekend

There are four NFL playoff games this weekend. Two tomorrow. And two on Sunday. What makes these playoffs extra awesome is the fact that neither the Patriots nor the Cowboys are involved. Granted, when they are involved, it makes the playoffs more interesting. But I am more than happy to exclude them from this year's festivities for a few less viewers.

It can be debated that four of the teams playing this weekend have no business playing in a postseason game. The Vikings, Eagles, Chargers, and Cardinals seemed to all make the playoffs by accident. But they are here, and we have to deal with it.

Colts at Chargers
I've stated it before, but no team in the playoffs got the shaft more than the Colts. They scratch and claw their way to a 12-4 record, only to be slotted to play the 8-8 Chargers in San Diego. Still makes for a good game though. The Chargers could be 0-16 and still give the Colts a tough game. They always do. Practically everytime these two teams come together, it comes down to a Vinatieri or Keading field goal attempt. I think I speak for everyone (except Patriot fans) when I say that I hope the Colts win. No team talks more shit than the Chargers. And they have won nothing. The AFC West don't count as "something".

Colts 31-21

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Falcons at Cardinals
I really wish I got to see more of the Falcons on television this year. I believe they had zero nationally televised games on their schedule. I guess that makes sense. Because NO ONE, including the schedule makers believed the Falcons had a chance to be competitive. New coach. Rookie quarterback. First year starting running back. Disenchanted fan base. Just a mess. Fast forward eighteen weeks, they're in the first round of the playoffs. And have a very big chance of winning. The Cardinals clinched the NFC West about twelve weeks ago and played out the rest of the season hoping no one got injured. Thus, the 9-7 record. The Falcons REALLY fought for their playoff spot, and didn't let up all season. However, and pardon me for sounding like a member of the "Sunday NFL Countdown" crew, but can Matt Ryan (a rookie QB) win (on the road), in the playoffs? I don't think so. Kurt Warner, an experienced playoff veteran, playing at home, with Fitzgerald and Boldin will win.

Cardinals 34-17

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Ravens at Dolphins
I'm not one to go out on the proverbial limb. But, for this game, I will. I am guaranteeing a Baltimore win against the Dolphins on Sunday. And what does that guarantee mean? It means absolutely nothing. Just thought I'd tell you. Anyway, I say this because of two things. In Week 7, the Ravens destroyed the Dolphins and their "Wildcat" offense. Speaking of which, that offense seems tailor made for the Ravens defense. Tight and compact. And if there is going to be a rookie QB to win on the road in these playoffs, it's Mr. Flacco. He doesn't make a lot of mistakes and protects the ball well. Should be a good game nonetheless.

Ravens 21-10

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Eagles at Vikings
No idea where to go with this game. But maybe by the end of this paragraph, I would have come to a conclusion. Both teams are clearly on a high after winning huge Week 17 games. One more important than the other. The Eagles won essentially a playoff game against the Cowboys. They dominated on both sides of the ball and made Dallas look like a CFL team. The Vikings on the other hand barely beat the Giants third string players by a Ryan Longwell field goal. But the Eagles (9-6-1) cannot be trusted. I've never seen a more schizophrenic team in my life. That 1 at the end of their record should serve as an example. I'm going with the Vikings. That fan base needs it.

Vikings 24-17

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Did you enjoy that indepth analysis? I really did cover every angle. Ugh, what a terrible post. I'll do better next time.