NFL: 2009 Wild Card Predictions

Week 17 Performance: 12-4
2008/2009 Performance: 154-101 (Excludes Eagles/Bengals tie)

Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Falcons

The red birds are at home and they have a good offense. But their defense gave the Broncos a defense a run for their money for the worst defense in the league.

Outcome: Cardinals 30 Falcons 24 - Falcons cannot run the ball against the Cardinals terrible defense.

Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers

Pick: Chargers

Following the Chargers Week 12 23-20 last second loss to the Colts, QB Phillip Rivers said they were the only 4-7 team with a chance of making the playoffs. Still, that was probably more of a shot against the Broncos than a strong belief in his team.

Both teams are hot as the Chargers have went 4-1 since and the Colts have won nine in a row. Despite that impressive streak, the Colts have not dominated the competition. Expect a fun game for Chargers fans!

Outcome: Chargers 23 Colts 17 - Another chapter added to Chargers/Colts rivalry; Sproles comes up big while LT sits.

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens are not a dominant defense, but they are among the best and the Dolphins trick plays and wildcat offense may not be enough.

Outcome: Ravens 27 Dolphins 9 - Dolphins become latest victim of Ravens' defense.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Eagles

The Vikings are formidable at home. However, a Philadelphia talk show host called the Vikings offense one dimensional, referring to their reliance on Adrian Peterson and inept play a QB. But it is one thing to know it and another thing to stop it. The Vikings won 10 of their last 14 games with teams knowing that. Still the Eagles are a hot team and clicking on all cylinders.

Outcome: Eagles 26 Vikings 14 - No surprises, A 71-yard screen TD pass to Brian Westbrook and bad play by QB Tavaris Jackson make the difference.

Picture: The Grain Belt Beer sign is a landmark, located on Nicollet Island off of banks of the Mississippi River, north of downtown Minneapolis. The sign is within walking distance of the Metro Dome.

At Grain Belt's peak, the sign lit up every night. Now owned by the city, the sign is still occasionally lit to commemorate the Minneapolis Brewery Company's history that went back to the 19th century. The sign itself was built circa 1940.