NFL Wild Card Weekend Predictions

Saturday:
SEATTLE 28, Washington 17
What do you get when you take the loudest NFL crowd, with a team that is 23-3 at home over the last four years and an opposing quarterback who is shaky? A Seahawks victory. While Washington is riding momentum of winning their last four games to get into the playoffs, and have dedicated the season to fallen teammate Shaun Taylor, I just can't get past the fact that they are on the road with an unproven quarterback. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are starting to find a run game that was absent for most of the season, and their fans are the best in the country.

Jacksonville 24, PITTSBURGH 17
On paper I like the Jaguars because they are one of the hottest teams in football while the Steelers have hit a rough patch. The Steelers defense should keep them in the game, but the Jags beat Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago (29-22). However, Heinz Field is great equalizer (see: Pittsburgh 3, Miami 0), but I still like the Jags by a touchdown.

Sunday:
Giants 34, BUCCANEERS 31
Tampa Bay took the last two weeks off to basically prepare for this game, but lost any momentum they had. The Giants on the other hand lost a close 38-35 game to the undefeated Patriots in the last game of the year, showing they can play with the best. Eli Manning has a history of not showing up for the playoffs, but I think this is the season he breaks through that reputation.

CHARGERS 31, Titans 6
This is probably the least exciting game, as Tennessee's offensive was offensive all season and is now without their starting quarterback. The Chargers started the season off on a terrible note, but have recovered and look to make a run in the playoffs. San Diego is better in every category except one: Coaching. Jeff Fisher is a much better coach than Norv Turner, but I don't think that will be eough. LaDanian Tomlinson will be tough to stop, so I don't see any problems for the Chargers.