This will be a very interesting weekend, with 4 games that could really go either way.  I’m sure your individual picks will provide clarity to the thoughts below:

Arizona @ New Orleans

The Saints have stayed as 7-point favorites all week.  Kinda surprising as they are currently on a 3-game losing streak.  The Cardinals, on the other hand, seem to win in the playoffs with QB Warner at the helm.  This is his time of year, as evidenced in those years in St. Louis, last week’s performance and last year’s performance (#6 seed who almost won the Super Bowl).  Plus WR Boldin is back, so there are even more horses in the stable.

For the Saints, look for those fans with the grocery bags to start emerging late in the 3rd quarter…  Did I spell U-P-S-E-T???  The Vegas line calls for 57 points in this one – that will work for Arizona; wonder how many they are predicting for New Orleans.  It won’t be a Brees for Drew this weekend.

Baltimore @ Indianapolis

Good thing the Colts have Peyton – any other QB may end up on the short end of the Raven meat mincer, courtesy of  Ray Lewis and Company.  By the way, Pete the Terp failed to pick his beloved Ravens last week, so we will have to wait and see who he likes this weekend.  Do you think QB Flacco will have to throw for more than 34 yards this week?  Will he be able to?  Peyton may have that many on the 1st Colts drive of the day.  Indianapolis is the #1 seed in the AFC and the Ravens are #6 – do you think both #6 seeds will win this weekend?  If you fall asleep watching this game Saturday night, you probably won’t miss much once the Colts take control.  But wait – Ray Rice just took a handoff up the middle…

Dallas @ Minnesota

Vikings by 3?  That means it’s a toss up, as the home team is usually spotted 3 points.  Again, we have 2 teams going in different directions.  Dallas is surging, led by the D and a 3-pronged running game (Barber, Choice and Jones).  If QB Romo doesn’t self destruct, you gotta like Dallas to advance.  Meanwhile in the frozen tundra of Minnesota (don’t you wish this was an outdoor game, with Tom Landry coaching against Bud Grant?), RB Peterson has cooled off and needs to have a super big day – not to be vs. the Dallas D.  The Vikes won’t be going very Favre this year.  Anyone seen Joe Kapp?

NY (Football) Jets @ San Diego

Why do we keep ignoring the Jets and they keep winning?  OK, they beat the Bungles twice in a row.  Now they get to play a real team, who by the way, has won 11 straight.  Talk about hot.  Even if they had former QB Namath (SBIII winner) under center, the Jets would have a huge struggle on their hands.  We’ll see how Darrelle Revis does this weekend.  As evidenced last week vs. Chad 85, how many holding penalties was he called for?  The Charger WR’s are big and fast.  San Diego QB Rivers is also peaking.  Next stop for San Diego?  Indianapolis.  Next stop for the Jets?  Mini camp in March.

Factoids

• All but 2 of the 1st team All-Pro Defense selections are playing this weekend.
• You can bet on nice weather conditions for all 4 games this weekend.
• The leader after the Wild Card games has won the trophy only 2 times in 21 seasons.
• Comeback Kid has the largest lead (137 points) in the history of the HSBT.

Reminder

Be sure to submit your Super Bowl Bonus Pick (worth 100 points) along with your 4 game scores prior to the kickoff of the Arizona/New Orleans game.  Not that it really matters.  Historically, participants have picked correct 29 times in 21 years, and have missed the mark 73 times.  I’m suspecting we may perform under the 28% correct mark this year, too.