The NFL Playoffs get going this weekend with the "Wild Card" Weekend featuring the third through sixth seeded teams in both conferences.
In the NFC, the New Orleans Saints take on the Seattle Seahawks in the great Northwest while the Green Bay Packers travel to play the Philadelphia Eagles.
The AFC features the Indianapolis Colts, last year's Super Bowl runner-up, hosting the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens will be playing at Kansas City.
There are those who feel the Seahawks, despite their atrocious 7-9 record, should not be taken lightly and could actually have a shot at beating the defending Super Bowl champion Saints.
The Saints have quarterback Drew Brees and a plethora of talented wide receivers to go with Reggie Bush and Julius Jones in the backfield. Pierre Thomas is out for this year's playoffs with injuries.
The Packers and Eagles battled in the opening game and the Pack prevailed, 27-20 in the road game.
Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers had another solid season and teams with running back Brandon Jackson and wide receivers Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones and Tight End Donald Lee to provide a formidable offense.
The Eagles have MVP candidate Michael Vick at quarterback and running back LeSean McCoy along with Tight End Brent Celek and wide receivers DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant and Jeremy Maclin.
Both defenses are good, but Green Bay's 'D' rates the edge and has been playing solid football for the last ten games. The 'X' factor is Vick and he has had past playoff success against Green Bay.
The AFC should have two good games as the Colts, with QB Peyton Manning leading the way, facing the Jets in a AFC Championship Game rematch from a year ago.
The Jets, led by their solid defense, are not on the roll they were a year ago, but still can win this game if quarterback Mark Sanchez avoids mistakes.
The New York defense is not as good as a year ago and the numbers prove that. Cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie have not exactly been in shut down mode this season, in spite of all the hype surrounding them.
If the Jets do not get pressure on Manning, he will pick the defense apart and the Colts will roll in this one.
In the game featuring the Baltimore Ravens and upstart Kansas City Chiefs, the defenses will be the key and Baltimore has a much better defense than Kansas City.
Look for both teams to run the football and quarterbacks Joe Flacco (Ravens) and Matt Cassel (Chiefs) throwing when necessary.
THE PICKS FOR THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES ... (Home teams listed in BOLD)
Saturday, January 8th
New Orleans over Seattle
Indianapolis over NY Jets
Sunday, January 9th
Baltimore over Kansas City
Philadelphia over Green Bay
Last Week's Record: 11-5
2010 FINAL SEASON RECORD: 171-85
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