Wild Card Weekend Preview

This is a weekend to sit back, relax, and bring out the tortilla chips and guacamole. The NFL Playoffs have arrived, and wild card weekend brings us four intriguing games. My prognostication skills are about as impressive as Keanu Reeves' acting career, but that won't stop me from offering my predictions for wild card weekend. With no further ado, here are my picks (home teams in all caps):

Jets over BENGALS

No, I don't think Cincinnati will be mentally scarred from the beatdown they received against the Jets in week 17. After all, that game meant practically nothing to the Bengals and meant everything to the Jets. At home in front of a raucous crowd, Cincy will come to play. Right now, however, I just feel that New York is the better football team. Mark Sanchez seems to have found some late-season swagger, and the Jets defense, led by Darrelle Revis, is the best in the NFL. Revis will hold Chad Ocho Cinco in check. Whether you like Rex Ryan's boisterous cockiness or not, his team has responded well to his larger-than-life personality. The late-season Cinderella run of the Jets will continue.

Eagles over COWBOYS

Sure, the Cowboys proved me wrong by making the playoffs, playing brilliant football down the stretch, a stretch that included big wins over the Saints and last week against these same Eagles. Thus, Wade Phillips' team undeniably enters today's game with buckets of confidence. But ladies and gentlemen, the playoffs will continue to haunt Dallas. Call me crazy, but I do not think Tony Romo has what it takes to thrive under playoff pressure. As soon as he throws that first interception, as soon as Roy Williams drops that first pass, Romo will be permanently rattled. Philadelphia, on the other hand, will have no such problems. They've been there, done that. Donovan McNabb is an elite quarterback who won't be the slightest bit bothered by the spotlight in Big D. Jerry Jones, beware: This game will be a major stress test for you.

PATRIOTS over Ravens

Have the Patriots had an underwhelming season? Yes. Does it seem like their dynasty is on life support? Yes. Still, I just cannot pick against Tom Brady in a home playoff game. Even without Wes Welker, I feel that as long as Brady is behind center, the Pats will be fine. Does this mean I want the Patriots to win? Hell to the no! I love Brady, but rooting for a Bill Belichick-coached team is like rooting for the high school bully to win over the hot girl. I believe New England will prevail, but I hope Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and company find a way to pull off the upset.

Packers over CARDINALS

Last year the Cardinals were considered the weakest team in the playoffs. They went on to reach the Super Bowl. Does anybody think Arizona can catch lightning in a bottle twice? I didn't think so. Ken Whisenhunt's Cardinals barely won the weakest division in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers, meanwhile, are the dark horse pick in the NFC to reach the Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers has blossomed into a top-tier QB for Mike McCarthy's team, and the Packers may well be the hottest team in the league right now. For Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, and the Cards, it could be a long Sunday afternoon in Glendale.

So there you have it. I'm picking the Jets, Eagles, Patriots, and Packers. That means the Bengals, Cowboys, Ravens, and Cardinals will probably win.