Editor’s Playoff Predictions for NFL Wild Card Week

Here we are. 12 teams remain. Eight play this week. I’ll tell who will win and why, and my “clutch” player predictions for each game.

AFC

New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals
First of all the Jets shouldn’t even be in the playoffs. Their last two games were against teams who already had a clinched their playoff spot and sat many of their starters. Last week the Jets did beat the Bengals 37-0, but I don’t buy it at all. Cedric Benson was out. Ochocinco was out the second half. And three of the Bengals’ defensive starters did not play.
New York won’t be able to rely fully on the run game as they did last week because of the probable return of defensive end Robert Geathers, defensive tackle Domata Peko, and free safety Chris Crocker, all whom are key players in the stingy Cincinnati run defense.
The one thing about the Jets that is scary is the top ranked defense. It will be interesting to see the Derrelle Revis and Chad Ochocinco match up. This defense will cause turnovers and make plays to put it in the hands of their first round pick Mark Sanchez — which leads to why New York won’t win. Sanchez is not a playoff quarterback. The Jets need to rely on him to make big plays and get the ball down the field. Not going to happen.
Cincinnati has more of a drive to win out. They came in this year at the level of the Browns and Rams, but they went undefeated if one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. They have suffered more losses than any other team this year; offensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s wife and wide receiver Chris Henry. I am picking the Bengals hands down in this one.
My “clutch” players of the game are Cincinnati’s cornerbacks Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph. Each has six interceptions and over 65 tackles on the season. Look for them to make the plays with a rookie arm in a crunch time position.

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
I’ve got to go with Baltimore in this game all because of one player. Wes Welker. With him the Patriots could win this, but without him — no chance. Welker led the league in receptions this year with 123 catches, 40 more than Randy Moss even though Welker missed the first three games of the season. With Welker out, the Ravens will be able to focus more on double-teaming Moss. When Welker was out the first three games the Patriots struggled in a nail biter 25-24 win against the Bills and a 16-9 loss against the Jets.
However, for Baltimore to win they would need to get up early. This season the Ravens were awful at coming back from behind. When they get up early, their defense makes the plays to keep them on top. I think this up front Raven defense, led by Ray Lewis, will be able to hold the Patriots running game to under 100 total yards.
My “clutch” player of this game is Ray Rice. He has been the center of this offense for the whole year and that won’t change in the playoffs. He is fast, can find the holes in a defense, and most dangerously he can make the big plays in the receiving game.

NFC

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
This should be a very close game. Both offenses are explosive and we all know about Larry Fitzgerald’s performance in last year’s post-season. I could see this game go either way.
If Arizona were to win, defensive tackle Darnell Dockett needs to put pressure on Aaron Rogers. If the Cardinals win the turnover battle, they will win this game.
For the Packers to win, they need to heavily protect Aaron Rogers. At the beginning of the year, they did terrible at this, which caused losses. When the O-line finally figured out how to protect him, they won six of their last seven games, the loss being to the Steelers on that last second touchdown heave to rookie Mike Wallace.
Green Bay will look to their defense to shut down the forceful Arizona offense. You can expect to see Charles Woodson, possibly the NFL defensive MVP of the year, all over Larry Fitzgerald. I think Woodson can hold Fitzgerald to under four catches and no touchdowns. The Green Bay defensive line is unknown, but underrated. They can get the job done up front by stuffing the run and putting much needed pressure on Kurt Warner allowing the secondary to make plays. In this game, I am on Green Bay’s side.
My “clutch” player of the game is rookie linebacker Clay Matthews. Matthews will be a force to be reckoned with in the pass rush game.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
If I were told at the beginning of the year that Dallas would beat Philadelphia twice in the regular season, I would’ve laughed. Yet, I am now saying they will win the third matchup of the season.
The Cowboys need to be able to be consistent in the run game. Between Marion Barber III, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice, they should be able to put up over 150 total yards, which will give them the edge. One factor about the Eagles that could break Dallas’s defense is Desean Jackson. They need to double cover him. If Terence Newman is on him by himself, Jackson will find the end zone (remember Newman vs. Marshall in week 4?). I bite my tongue as I say this, but Roy Williams needs to actually make catches this game. If he does, he will take pressure off Miles Austin and Jason Witten.
The Eagles have an awkward run game situation. Brian Westbrook is back, but it is unclear who will get the carries between him, LeSean McCoy, and Leonard Weaver. That being unanswered raises red lights on how effective they can be against this stout Dallas run defense. Defensively, the Eagles have great coverage corners and safeties; however, they are terrible at covering opposing tight ends. Jason Witten will be able to find the holes in their defense to make much needed plays in the passing game.
My “clutch” player of the game is outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware. The Eagles will not be able to contain him at all. When Ware gets to Donavan McNabb, McNabb will make mistakes and wear down (no pun intended).