NFL PICKS - Wildcard Weekend 2011

Week 17 NFL Results: 11-5
NFL Results Season to Date: 136-103-13

Week 17 College Football Results: 0-0
College Football Season Results: 32-30-2

Week 17 Mark My Words Results: 2-2
Mark My Words Results Season to Date: 34-39-3

Wildcard Weekend NFL Picks (winners in parentheses):

New Orleans -10.5 At Seattle (New Orleans)
At Indianapolis -3 New York Jets (Indianapolis)
Baltimore -3 At Kansas City (Kansas City)
At Philadelphia -2.5 Green Bay (Philadelphia)

Mark My Words - Here's how I'd bet the first round of the NFL playoff games, and why:

PHILADELPHIA -2.5 over Green Bay - Green Bay won by 7 at Philly in Week 1, but Michael Vick did not replace Kevin Kolb until the second half and was still nearly able to complete a 4th quarter comeback. One thing is for sure, this game will be high scoring.

INDIANAPOLIS -3 over New York Jets - Not only does Indianapolis have Rex Ryan's number, but I can't conceivably pick Mark Sanchez over Peyton Manning in a playoff game at Indy. If the Jets win it will be entirely upon their running game and their defense, and both were disappointments this year.

Kansas City +3 Baltimore - I'm not afraid to say that Kansas City is the most overrated team in football, but there's something about their balanced running attack and playing in front of what should be an insane crowd at Arrowhead Stadium that has talked me into taking the points even though Baltimore has been outstanding on the road this season.

New Orleans -10.5 SEATTLE - If Seattle had the 8:00 EST kickoff that the Jets-Colts got instead of the early 4:30 EST kickoff I'd probably go with Seattle and the points based upon the 12th-man home crowd momentum. However, the Seahawks had no answer for Drew Brees and the Saints offense at New Orleans in Week 11, so they should be able to subdue the Seattle crowd if they can take advantage of a weak Seahawk secondary and strike early. Couple that with Seattle's questionable quarterback situation and I'll predict this game as the one blow-out on Wildcard Weekend.