Eric’s Picks, 2014 Wild Card

Eric Meyer

Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts

This is an interesting matchup that nobody really knows what to expect from either team due to inconsistency all season.

Kansas City had a great season behind their stout defense and elite running back in Jamaal Charles. That being said, they went 0-5 against quality opponents. The most significant of those losses came to Indianapolis because, well, they’re playing them again tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Colts have had a knack for beating the elite teams of the NFL, knocking off three of the NFL’s top four teams by record. However, they also struggled against some middling opponents before apparently righting the ship in the last few weeks of the season.

If Kansas City wants to win this football game, they are going to need to ride Jamaal Charles and control the clock. Andrew Luck is dangerous when he is given too many opportunities. The secondary will also have to contain T.Y. Hilton, who has emerged as one of the league’s elite deep threats.

The game plan for Indianapolis is simple. Keep the pressure off of Luck. The Colts will need to establish some sort of a run game to balance the offense, and the line needs to keep Luck upright. If they can do that, they’ll knock off the Chiefs once again, and I’m predicting that will happen.

Eric’s Pick: Colts beat Chiefs, 24-14

New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles

The Saints will have to do what they could not in the regular season if they want to return to the Super Bowl, and that is win on the road. New Orleans was a dismal 3-5 away from the Superdome this season and the franchise is 0-5 in road playoff games.

As for the Eagles, they’re riding high with Nick Foles dominating the NFL in the second half of the season, but the team still has question marks on defense, especially after a bad showing against the Vikings just a few weeks ago.

While the Saints road woes are real, there are some other things to consider. This is by far the best defense the Saints have fielded since Drew Brees came to town in 2006. In their last two postseason defeats (both on the road) the Saints put up 36 and 32 points, respectively. Either one of those totals should be sufficient in taking down the Eagles with the way New Orleans has taken care of business on the other side of the ball.

This year, the offense is the major concern, but Drew Brees has quietly established himself as the best postseason quarterback in the NFL. I think the Saints hold the Eagles at bay on offense and Drew Brees steps it up in the postseason as he normally does.

Eric’s Pick: Saints beat Eagles, 28-21

San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals

The Chargers are back! Well, not really. But they are in the playoffs again after some beneficial personnel decisions by the Chiefs and maybe a little luck with the officiating. But none of that matters now, because the Chargers are always a dangerous team with Philip Rivers at the helm.

The Bengals’ road to the playoffs was much more steady. They coughed up a couple hairballs, but their division crown was never seriously threatened. They finished a perfect 8-0 at home, and that’s where they’ll be Sunday afternoon, so you have to like their chances.

San Diego has a chance in this one, no doubt. I think they can make some noise. But the Bengals are too balanced. They have great weapons and a solid defense. All they need is for Andy Dalton to play well, and he normally does that at home. So I’m going with the Bengals to finally get that playoff win.

Eric’s Pick: Bengals beat Chargers, 31-20

San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers

Last game of the weekend, juiciest matchup. Bring it on.

Let me start by saying that Green Bay should not be treated like an 8-7-1 team. They have their captain back at the helm. With Aaron Rodgers back in action, they are a dangerous team, especially with the emergence of Eddie Lacy this season.

The 49ers’ record towers over Green Bay’s, but that doesn’t matter. Green Bay has the higher seed and the home field advantage, which is one of the best in the NFL. The 49ers play tough defense and have gotten back to a solid level of offense, but it’s going to be tough going into Green Bay where they shouldn’t have to be.

With all that said, San Francisco is the better team and I’m not sure Rodgers is playing at an elite level yet. He was able to do just enough against the Bears to grab the NFC North, but the 49ers bring much stiffer competition and Colin Kaepernick seems to have Green Bay’s number.

Eric’s Pick: 49ers beat Packers, 34-28