2009/2010 NFL Playoff Predictions

It's one day before the 2010 NFL Playoffs begin, which means one thing - PREDICTION TIME.

Wild Card

AFC

New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals

• The Jets run game will simply be too much for the Bengals, and Ochocinco and the Bengals offense will get shut down for the second game in a row. Even without Cedric Benson, the 37-0 loss last week to the Jets has to be in the back of their mind. If Benson has a good game the Bengals have a chance, but I still see the Jets defense stifling the Bengals. Jets win on the road.

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots

• Last time around saw a close game between the two teams, with the Patriots winning 27-21 at home. Brady and the Pats are a different team come playoff team, even without Welker, and Brady hasn't lost a game at home since 2006. Look for Moss to re-emerge in the playoffs with a big game. Patriots win at home.
  

NFC

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

• The Cowboys have been on a roll lately, going 3-0 with 2 shut-outs in their last three games of the regular season. In order for the Eagles to have a chance, Brian Westbrook needs to re-emerge onto the scene and help McNabb and Jackson on the offensive side of the ball. Like the Bengals, the Eagles face a team in the first round of the playoffs that shut them out the previous week, which no matter what anyone says, is never good for the psyche. The Cowboys seem to be finally running on all cylinders. Cowboys win at home.

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals

• The Packers have been one of the most impressive teams in the second half of the season going 7-1 in their last 8 games, their only loss being a 1-point defeat @ Pittsburgh. Arizona usually rises to the occasion in January and won't make it easy, but the symmetry and balance with which the Packers are playing with right now will be too much for the men from the desert. Look for Packers tight end Jermichael Finley to roam free down the middle of the field and have a big game. Packers win on the road.

Subsequent Picks
My picks, prior to the playoffs starting:

Wild Card - Jets over Bengals, Cowboys over Eagles, Patiots over Ravens, Packers over Cardinals.

Divisional - Colts over Jets, Cowboys over Saints, Chargers over Patriots, Packers over Vikings.

Conference - Chargers over Colts, Packers over Cowboys.

Super Bowl - Chargers over Packers.