Wild Card Preview

Wild Card weekend in the NFL in finally here and the second part of the season is set to begin. Throughout the regular season we've learned that anyone is beatable, even Seattle at home. This postseason should be just as entertaining as the regular season; here's a look at the first weekend of the NFL Playoffs. 

SATURDAY:

No. 5 Arizona at No. 4 Carolina: This should be an interesting game to say the least. The Panthers finished the season 7-8-1 and somehow won the NFC South. Which also guaranteed them a home playoff game. They'll take on the once first place Arizona Cardinals, who will be relying on Ryan Lindley if backup Drew Stanton cannot play. Lindley completed 60% of his passes along with 316 yards, 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions against a somewhat depleted 49ers team. He'll have to get some run support against a very physical Carolina defensive line. Cam Newton, on the other hand, will look to lean on his favorite target and rookie of the year candidate Kelvin Benjamin (1,008 yards, 9 TDs). Newton and the Panthers offense will also look to establish a running game against an Arizona defense that allowed 267 yards against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.

Prediction: Carolina 23, Arizona 16

No. 6 Baltimore at No. 3 Pittsburgh: It’s only right that these two teams meet in the playoffs. The Steelers are 3-0 against the Ravens in playoff games and come into the game riding a 4-game winning streak. In their final game of the regular season, the Steelers captured the AFC North by beating the Cincinnati Bengals but it came at a price. Running back and probable team MVP Le’Veon Bell went down in the second half with a knee injury. An MRI revealed no ligament damage but it still seems unlikely that the leagues second leading rusher will be able to play. In the event he does not play, the Steelers signed veteran back Ben Tate. The Ravens come in with an offense that has stuttered down the stretch and have relied on their defense to keep them in games. That defense will also get All-Pro tackle Haloti Ngata back after serving a four game suspension. If Bell can’t go, the Steelers will lean on Pro Bowlers Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown to provide a spark.

Prediction: Steelers 31, Ravens 21

SUNDAY:

No. 5 Cincinnati at No. 4 Indianapolis: In his last playoff game, Andrew Luck threw 4 interceptions in New England and looks to have his own bounce back game against a Bengals team who is looking for its first playoff win since 1990 and quarterback Andy Dalton in 3 career playoff games has 1 TD pass and 6 interceptions. Wide receiver AJ Green is questionable with a list of injuries including a concussion, which is suffered last week in Pittsburgh. Having thrown his share of interception in the playoffs, 8 to be exact, Andrew Luck tries to get over that hump and get a Wild Card win. To get that win, he’ll look to get receiver T.Y. Hilton involved as often as he can and also hope to get a running game going with Trent Richardson.

Prediction: Colts 17, Bengals 10

No. 6 Detroit at No. 3 Dallas: Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh won his suspension appeal (will be fined $70,000 though) and will play against Dallas. They’ll need him as they look to slow down the Cowboys and their high-powered offense led by the NFL’s leading rusher Demarco Murray (1,845 yards). They’ll also have to stop his Pro Bowl teammates, quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Dez Bryant. On the other side of the ball, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will need to get the ball to Calvin Johnson quite a bit if they want to beat this stout Dallas defense. Look for Reggie Bush to get a lot of touches as well.

Prediction: Dallas 34, Detroit 24