Last weeks wild card playoff games certainly lived up to the billing. They were filled with surprises and upsets and overall exciting football. This week it gets a little more interesting with four matchups with conference championship berths at stake. Here is our analysis and picks for the games:
Baltimore at Pittsburgh (4:30 pm Saturday)
Why the Ravens will win: Their running game has been near unstoppable with Ray Rice leading the way and making big plays, while Joe Flacco has matured into a very dependable QB. Defensively, Baltimore is led by veterans Ed Reed and Ray Lewis who make game changing stops.
Why the Steelers will win: Its not easy to win at Heinz Field, and with it the game being against a hated division rival, the black and yellow will be flying high. The team is filled with veterans who have won super bowls, so a game like this will not get them rattled.
The Edge: Baltimore
Green Bay at Atlanta (8:00 pm Saturday)
Why the Packers will win: A hot super bowl pick coming into the year, Green Bay struggled with injuries and inconsistency throughout. However, they are riding some serious momentum, and they have finally found a running back (John Starks) to go along with their lauded passing attack.
Why the Falcons will win: The team who finished the year with the best record should be able to take care of business against a flawed wild card team. The Matt Ryan-Roddy White combo is hard to beat, while Michael Turner is an extremely productive back.
The Edge: Atlanta
Seattle at Chicago (1:00 pm Sunday)
Why the Seahawks will win: They already beat the bears at Soldier Field earlier in the year, and they seemed to have gained their swagger back under coach Pete Caroll. Marshawn Lynch is back to running like the freak he is.
Why the Bears will win: Their opponent has proved very little by barely beating the Rams to win the division and riding their homefield advantage to sneak past the Saints. Chicago is better in almost every facet of the game.
The Edge: Chicago
New York at New England (4:30 pm Sunday)
Why the Jets will win: Rex Ryan prides himself on his defensive schemes, and if he can figure out how to stop Brady and his band of nobodys, they should be able to control the game. Their Tomlinson-Greene rushing attack is sometimes hard to stop, and if Sanchez manages the game they should score some significant points.
Why the Patriots will win: No one wants to play the Pats. They've been too unstoppable the second half of the season, and they're out to prove they can still win a super bowl after a 6-year drought. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick at home is a scary thought.
The Edge: New England
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