NFL Wild Card Weekend - Sunday

We're going to try to bounce back from our horrendous Saturday showing with today's pair of games.

Ravens at Dolphins
First up is the AFC match up between the physical Baltimore Ravens and the throw everything at you Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins, of course, were one of the biggest stories in the NFL this season. They picked up Chad Pennington in the off-season to steer their rudderless ship. But using some creative offense, coach Tony Sparano turned a 1-15 team into a 10-6 division winner. Today'aame will be far from easy though against the run stuffing Ravens.

Chad Pennington, much maligned in New York, turnedain an MVP like season, throwing for over 3,600 yards and posting a 97.4 passer rating. Ronnie Brown was the key man in the Dolphins oft-used Wildcat formation. No game highlighted Brown's value more than his 113 rushing performance in a 38-13 blow out of the Patriots on September 21. In addition to rushing for 4 touchdowns out of the Wildcat formation, Brown threw a touchdown pass as well.

The Dolphins 'D' has been effective stopping the run, but they're 25th in the league in defending the pass. But the underrated squad did help lead the Dolphins to a league best +17 turnover ratio. The Ravens have to look out for a rejuvenated Joey Porter, who posted a team high 18 sacks during the regular season.

Like the Falcons, the Ravens got a big infusion of life from a rookie QB. Outsiders didn't expect much from Jersey's Joe Flacco, but the first year player emerged as a budding star in the AFC. The University Delaware product threw for 2,971 yards and completed 60% of his passes. He was helped by a 3-headed running game lead by Le'Ron McClain. Along with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee, the trio combined for over 2,000 yards rushing.

Derek Mason was Flacco's biggest target, catching 80 balls for 1,037 yards and 5 touchdowns. Flacco also has the dangerous Mark Clayton and the very solid Todd Heap to throw to.

The defense, of course, is led by stars Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Lewis may not be the player he once was, but he's still the spiritual leader of the squad. And of course there's former rookie defensive player of the year, Terrell Suggs, who leads the team with 8 sacks. The Ravens are equally adept at stuffing the run and defending the pass.

The two teams met in week 7 with the Ravens riding two second quarter touchdowns to a 27-13 victory. They come in as 3.5 point favorites today. With their mix of defense and experience, the Dolphins have their work cut out for them.

Ravens -3.5 at Dolphins Prediction: Ravens 24 Dolphins 16


Eagles at Vikings
The NFC game pits the number 3 seed, the NFC North winning Minnesota Vikings against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are the lowest seed, but maybe most dangerous team, in the NFC.

Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are the two biggest keys to how the Eagles will fare today. McNabb has had an up and down season, but just as appeared the Eagles were finished he led them to a playoff berth as the Eagles destroyed the Cowboys in the season finale. McNabb's inconsistency mirrored that of the entire team. The Eagles could only manage a 13-13 tie with lowly Cincinnati and lost 10-3 to the Redskins in week 16. But around that, they beat fellow playoff teams Arizona and the Giants. They also beat the Falcons and Steelers earlier in the season.

Westbrook is the prototypical all purpose back, compiling 936 yards rushing and 402 yards receiving on 54 catches. He scored 14 touchdowns while turning the ball over just once.

The Eagles defense is well documented under longtime coordinator Jim Johnson. Hard nosed (we'll add dirty as will Ike Hilliard) safety Brian Dawkins is the team leader. Defensive end Darren Howard had a team high 10 sacks. Philly's special teams also do a good job.

The biggest downside to Philly's game could be coach Andy Reid's habit of calling conservative plays in big situations.

The Vikings season lives and breaths on the backs of star running back Adrian Peterson and their defensive line, which helped the team to a league best run defense. That being said, the key to this game will be the play of third year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. The Alabama State product was benched after ineffective play the first two weeks of the season, but returned in week 14 when start Gus Frerotte went down with an injury (no, he didn't head butt a wall this time). Since then Jackson has been hot, including throwing 4 TD's against the Cardinals.

There be less pressure on Jackson, if Peterson has a big day. A.P. ran for a league best 1,760 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Coach Brad Childress isn't afraid to go to Chester Taylor in goal line situations. Peterson who lost 9 fumbles during the year, must hold on to the football.

The Vikings defense is lead by the Williamses, Kevin and Pat, who stuff the run, while end Jared Allen recorded 14 sacks. The Vikings special teams have allowed 4 punt returns for touchdowns.

We think the experienced QB wins out on this one with the help of the running back who doesn't fumble. Peterson will get his yards, but Jackson will succumb to the Eagles vaunted pass rush.
Eagles -3 at Vikings Prediction Eagles 27 Vikings 17

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NFL Picks - Week1

We were way off on the score, but correct in picking Big Blue to lay the points against the Redskins Thursday night. We really haven't been paying much attention to the pre-season games, so the early going could be rough. Do NOT, do NOT base any of your gambling on our picks.

Jets at Dolphins
The Brett Favre ERA/year begins in earnest. For one week, he'll look like a world beater. The Dolphins won't be significantly better than last year, even though their quarterback is one Chad Pennington. Jets -3

Bengals at Ravens
The Ravens offense still doesn't look very offensive. Hopefully not all of the Bengals have a court date. Bengals -2

Chiefs at Patriots
The Patriots haven't lost a regular season game since 2006, and their not about to lose this one. Patriots -16

Texans at Steelers
You just never know what to make of the Texans. We don't think the Steelers should have any problems in this one. Steelers -6.5

Jaguars at Titans
Will Vince Young progress or regress? Will David Garrard have another huge year? Should make for an interesting game. We think this one will be close. Jags win, but Titans +3

Lions at Falcons
Two teams that are always hard to figure. The Lions went 4-0 in the pre-season...that doesn't impress us. The Falcons had trouble scoring and that definitely made an impression. Lions -3

Seahawks at Bills
Seahawks were a big disappointment last season, while the Bills played rock 'em, sock 'em football. Seahawks +1

Bucs at Saints
The Saints were one of the biggest disappointments in '07. The Bucs lost a first round playoff match up with the Giants. Should be a good one, but the Bucs offense still stinks. Saints -3

Rams at Eagles
The Eagles, particularly Donovan McNabb, have a lot to prove. The Rams have even more to prove after a disappointing '07 season. We think this is too big of a spread for the Eagles to cover in week one, even at home. Rams +8

Cowboys at Browns
Cowboys think they should have been representing the NFC in last year's Super Bowl. The Browns came back from the dead early in the season and narrowly missed a playoff spot last year. Jamal Lewis is a game time decision. Cowboys - 5.5

Panthers at Chargers
The Chargers are looking to return to their 2006 form after not living up to last season's expectations. Jake Delhomme is back, which is great news for Panthers fans, but he won't have Steve Smith, suspended for two games after punching a teammate, to throw to this week. We think the Panthers defense can keep it close. Panthers +9

Cardinals at 49ers
Kurt Warner beat out Matt Leinart in AZ and T.J. O'Sullivan vanquished Alex Smith in San Fran. Cardinals -2.5

Bears at Colts
A rematch of Super Bowl XLI, but Kyle Orton gets the nod over Rex Grossman at QB. Not much of a difference. Peyton Manning is ready to go. Colts -9.5

Monday Night Football

Vikings at Packers
The post-Brett Favre era begins and the Packers are very happy not to be looking across the line of scrimmage at him this week. Aaron Rodgers should get his first open night win in this one. Packers -2.5

Broncos at Raiders
There's no reason to think there will be a lot of improvement in Oakland, while Denver and Jay Cutler look to attain the heights they fell short of last season. Broncos -3

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