Those uniforms must goKen Murray
Baltimore Sun
Rarely has wild card weekend offered a more unpredictable set of games, and never more rematches from Week 17.
Treading lightly through this forecasting minefield, I'll pick the Bengals to beat the Jets because Mark Sanchez isn't Joe Namath or even Joe Flacco.
I like the resuscitated Cowboys over the erratic Eagles because Donovan McNabb never comes up big in the big game.
I like the Patriots over the Ravens in a close game because if the Raiders could confuse Flacco, Bill Belichick will bewilder him.
And lastly, I like the Packers over the Cardinals because one game of seeing those garish Arizona uniforms is one game too many.
Cold teams will get hotDom Amore
Hartford Courant
The Patriots were 8-0 at home this season, so they are probably the best bet to win their home game this week against the Ravens, though they're likely to come out with some bumps and bruises.
The Jets' dominance last week was an attention-getter, and although the Bengals probably were holding back a lot, you have to think the Jets' combination of defense and a running game will translate well for a road win in the playoffs.
The Cowboys are hot and home, and the Eagles may have peaked too soon.
It's a quirky thing with me, but I like cold-weather teams playing on the road in warm weather in the playoffs; they are likely to spring surprises, plays they couldn't use at home. So I like the Packers at Arizona.
Quarterbacks are keySam Farmer
Los Angeles Times
The Jets and Bengals both have excellent defenses and solid ground games. I like the Bengals because Carson Palmer is a better quarterback than Mark Sanchez, and they're at home.
I'll take the Eagles over the Cowboys, even though Dallas is red hot. If Andy Reid can shore up the protection problems from the Week 17 disaster, Donovan McNabb and his receivers will have a better chance to make some of those plays they just missed in that loss.
I like the Patriots over the Ravens, even with Wes Welker out. The Patriots are very tough at home at this time of year.
It's always dangerous to bet against Kurt Warner, but I think Green Bay is going to win at Arizona. The Packers have won seven of eight, and their offensive line is starting to provide some decent protection for Aaron Rodgers.
Follow the formulaOmar Kelly
Sun Sentinel
There is a clear-cut formula for winning games in the NFL's second season. Run the football, own time of possession, and play unyielding defense. Teams can throw to get a lead, but the one that can run the ball to keep it will usually prevail.
For those reasons, the Jets, Cowboys, Ravens and Packers will be the four teams that advance beyond this weekend. All four are among the NFL's stingiest on defense.
The Ravens, Cowboys and Jets each held opponents to fewer than 17 points per game in the regular season.
And New England (17.8) and Green Bay (18.6) are right behind them. But what sets the Jets, Cowboys, Ravens and Packers apart from their opponents is that they each possess potent, if not powerful running games that average more rushing yards than their opponents.