Wildcard Weekend or Rematch Weekend?

The first round of the NFL playoffs will get underway in just a couple of hours as we get ready to watch four rematches from the regular season—three from last week and the Patriots-Ravens from earlier in the season. Let's take a brief look at each game in the order they play this weekend.

Jets @ Bengals
Here's what we know—the Jets dominated the Bengals last week 37-0, but the Bengals may or may not have been real interested in last week's game. Their starters still played for at least a half and the Jets punched them right in the face. I don't like how Cincinnati didn't really go after this game with much fire, but it's not like they were playing that well before Week 17. They had lost their past two out of three with the only victory being a 17-10 win over Kansas City at home, not exactly the most impressive win ever. They just have the look of a team that would be one and done in the playoffs. The Jets dominated both lines in last week's game, and overall I think the Jets are just the better team. I like the Jets to win, not in a blowout this time though, and I think the Bengals realize they should have came to play last week instead of handing the Jets a world of confidence.

Eagles @ Cowboys
The Eagles went from a win and the No. 2 seed to a loss and the No. 6 seed. Ouch. The Cowboys played great last week, dominated the Eagles (who were actually trying) and swept the regular season series. But something in the back of my head says Eagles in this game. Such is the NFL where everyone becomes fixated on one team all week and sort of forget about the other team on the field and they end up coming out in winning (see Steelers over Colts in '06). Here's the other thing, the Cowboys have all the pressure in the world on them in this game...can they finally win their first playoff game since the mid '90s? Can Tony Romo finally step up and win a playoff game? With the pressure on, this is why I like the Eagles to make this a much closer game and pull it out in the end.

Ravens @ Patriots
Can both teams lose this game? The Ravens were everyone's big Super Bowl pick before the season and they didn't even win their division. Now as the six seed, they will have to go on the road three times to reach the Super Bowl. I don't see that happening. I just don't see anything special about Joe Flacco and the defense has been gashed at times this year. Ray Rice is indeed a beast, but unless he goes off tomorrow I don't know if they can win. This is a rematch as well as the Pats held on for a win over the Ravens on the same field in Week 4. I'm rooting for the Ravens (wow, that hurt me to type), but I have a feeling Tom Brady will pull this game out of his ass whether be by cheating or his calling for a flag every time someone breathes near him.

Packers @ Cardinals
There's been a lot of talk over this game and how the winner could easily make a run at the championship. I don't know if Kurt Warner could get up for a big run again, and with a few key players banged up (Boldin and Rodgers-Cromartie), I like the Packers in this one. Actually, like the Packers to possibly make a run in the playoffs. The main reason for that is because this team has been hot. The Pack have won seven out of their last eight games with the only loss being a last-second (literally) loss at Pittsburgh. Plus, the Packers have played great defense in the second half as they are ranked in the Top 10 of the league. The Cardinals defense is ranked middle of the road, so I'm going Green Bay. Plus, I don't think I could stand another Kurt Warner-video montage for three weeks if they were to make a run again.