NFL Picks and game angles - Wildcard Weekend

Posted By Ben Standig, January 8, 2011
Related Categories: NFL and Survivor Picks

Who will win, step up and get beat down in the Wildcard of the NFL playoffs...

These game predictions do not reflect the opinion of FFToolbox.com but just a solo fantasy writer who will still has his preseason Super Bowl picks alive now that Green Bay joined Baltimore in the postseason, but he's officially calling for the Patriots over...the Eagles? OK, sure, done...As a reminder, email any questions, be it about keepers, 2011 fantasy questions or what is up with my Redskins to podcast@fftoolbox.com or send tweets to @benstandig. Also do not forget to check out the weekly FFToolbox.com podcast - hosted by yours truly - every week or anytime via ITunes and that's where you will find this week's fantasy angles...

Home Team in CAPS

Last week: Straight (10-6), Spread (6-10); Overall: Straight (140-99), Spread (115-121-3)

New Orleans 24 SEATTLE 17 (+10.5): Normally I wouldn't take the points with a team I felt had little to no chance of winning, but the combo of the game being held at one of the toughest venues in the league and the Saints losing players left and right (not just two RB's, but arguably their best defensive player and hottest TE, plus Marques Colston is just coming back from arthroscopic knee surgery). And the weather looks raw. And they will rely on a healthy dose of revenge from Julius Jones in order to have a run-between-the-tackles threat...and with all of that, shows you just how bad Seahawks really are if I still cannot pick them to actually win...Chance for Seattle IF they can keep Drew Brees throwing those picks while Matt Hasselbeck doesn't. Must get early lead so Marshawn Lynch's 20 carries for 58 yards outing will have some relevance...

INDIANAPOLIS 27 (-2.5) NY Jets 23: No tremendous feel here. I know Peyton Manning beats the Jets like he's Ohio State and Rex Ryan is the Maize and Blue and with the vibe around Mark Sanchez being eh, I'll go Colts. Last year it was Pierre Garcon that Manning looked at more lovingly than , this year it will be Jacob Tamme with Blair White getting a nomination is top supporting receiver...Chance for the Jets IF they get on top and churn up the clock by running and running Shonn Greene against the Colts sieve of a run defense...

Baltimore 20 (-3) KANSAS CITY 16: Don't like the vibe out of KC with Charlie Weis leaving; Jason Whitlock crushed Todd Haley's role in Weis' departure and his impact on the Chiefs turnaround like he was a Big 10 squad in a bowl game. Combined with me never thinking it wise to go against Ray Lewis, I'm saying the Ravens get it done behind 120+ yards from Ray Rice, a touchdown for the slumping Anquan Boldin and a stepped up effort from their run defenders led by Haloti Ngata. The Ed Reed situation with his missing brother is a wildcard, no pun intended on any level. Chance for Chiefs IF Jamaal Charles rocks the Ravens with some serious home run plays, plus would jump officially into CJ/AP conversation of top backs...

PHILADELPHIA 34 (-2.5) Green Bay 28: For some reason it has become cool to pick against the Eagles this week at home. Not sure I get it. Yes, I understand the notion of going against a fast breaking team in a slow down playoff environment, but it's not like the Packers are a grind it out crew, far from it. Everyone is noting the Eagles loss to the Vikes two weeks and using that as a sign of doom and gloom, but I don't think the Packers eeking out a win over a Bears team with little to play for is something to rally around either. And while the Eagles were not technically on a bye last week, they might as well have been and nobody is better in those scenarios than Andy Reid. Love Aaron Rodgers, would be more than cool if he advanced and think the Packers could knock off the Falcons if they get that far, but unless Michael Vick is really hurt, I'll go with the scariest offense in the NFC. Jeremy Maclin scores twice, just sayin...

And the rest of the bracket...

ATLANTA over New Orleans, Philadelphia over CHICAGO

NEW ENGLAND over Baltimore, PITTSBURGH over Indianapolis

Philadelphia Over ATLANTA, NEW ENGLAND over Pittsburgh

New England over Philadelphia, M.V.P., The Breck, eh, Golden Boy, Tom Brady

*** The AFC is cut and dry, Pats or Steelers. Unless the Steel Curtain turns the volume on their pass rush to 11, they will not stop Brady...As for the NFC, literally any of the five teams besides the Seahawks can make it, though I like the Saints the least with all their injuries. The winner of Eagles/Packers makes the NFC Championship game and I like Philly's chances at Atlanta better than Green Bay's at Chicago...

Fantasy Playoff Draft...

For what it's worth, here is my team and the first round of the just completed Friends of Ben Playoff Fantasy League

Standard non-PPR rules. Must draft QB (1), RB (2), WR/TE (3), K (1), D (1). No free agents. Most points win...

Ben's Bums

1) Peyton Manning (5th pick)

2) Mike Wallace

3) Matt Forte

4) Jacob Tamme

5) Jimmy Graham (oops)

6) Shonn Greene

7) Garrett Hartley

8) Eagles D