• 11:04 AM ET  01.03
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Hello once again everybody.  We got down a little while ago previewing Saturday's NFL games, so let's jump ahead to Sunday and look at both of the games on "Wild Card Sunday":

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins 1:00 ET CBS

Once again, if you had this as an opening round playoff game, you're lieing.  The remarkable seasons that both these teams have had continues on Sunday, but unfortunately only one can go on.  Both teams have rookie head coaches as I am sure you are well aware of (Tony Sporano-Dolphins, John Harbaugh-Ravens).  The Dolphins have had a cinderella story turnaround, one year ago they were 1-15.  In fact, they have tied the 1999 Colts for the biggest jump in wins from one year to the next with a +10 margin.  They turned the ball over the fewest amount of times this year (13) tieing them with the Giants.  However, Ed Reed and the Ravens defense are always looking to create havoc and force turnovers which could be the big factor in Sunday's game.  If the Dolphins hang onto the ball, they have a great chance of winning.  If the Ravens force a couple of turnovers early, they should have an easy time getting the win.  What the Dolphins have done this season is incredible, but their season stops on Sunday.  Remember back in Week 7 when the Ravens went down to Miami. They won 27-13 and Chad Pennington had perhaps his worst game of the season.  Joe Flacco was not playing football as great as he is now.  The game Sunday won't have the same score (27-13 Ravens), but the Ravens will do enough to move on to the divisional round.

Prediction: Ravens 23 Dolphins 10

Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings 4:30 ET FOX

This is the matchup that almost everyone says is the easiest one to pick.  They are all taking the Eagles.  And perhaps that's right because they did smoke Dallas last week, and they have been one of the hottest teams as of late, but I am sick and tired of experts and analysts saying "if you take out the Washington game, they've been on fire..."  They lost that game 10-3.  You can apply that to any team like the Vikings.  "If you take out the seven fumble game against Atlanta, the Vikings have been great winning six of seven..."  That doesn't make any sense.  So stop with that.  I am a huge Vikings fan, so I must now turn my attention to the fans of Minnesota, for whom I have a very important message to give: "Sell out the damn dome."  You are the same people who complain that the Vikings never make it to the postseason and Childress won't get us there, and now that he has, you all of a sudden are saying stuff like "We don't like Childress" and we are "lukewarm to the type of football he plays."  That is a bunch of garbage.  You sold out everygame this season and last season.  This is the playoffs.  Not practice.  We ain't talking about practice man.  (My A.I. impersonation)  It is absurd to think that so many Vikings fans are behaving like this.  When the team does move, which will be the darkest day in Minnesota history, you can look back to this playoff game and the struggle to sell out a home playoff game as the single reason why.  Get with the program people!  That urks me to no end and I have never been so disappointed by Minnesotans.  Now back to the game.  Assuming Pat Williams is back to plug up the middle, it will be very difficult for the Eagles to run with either Brian Westbrook or Correll Buckhalter up the middle.  They can attempt to run outside the tackle, but we'll have to wait and see how that goes.  If they do have success running the ball, it's game over for the Vikings.  The Vikings must keep an eye on Brian Westbrook at all times and shadow him.  They can not allow for him to make big plays and help the Eagles win.  As for the Vikings, run with AP and Chester TaylorJim Johnson, the Eagles defensive coordinator will be dialing up blitzes to no end, and Tarvaris Jackson must be ready for them, but I think he is going to struggle.  That is why it is imperative that the Vikings get a solid rushing attack going otherwise they are toast.  Is this the last game for Donovan McNabb in a Eagles uniform?  Will he exchange it for purple and gold next season and the Metrodome wil be his new home?  Those things will all unfold in the offseason.  This should be a great game, and I hate to be a homer, but somebody has to pick the Vikings right?  Plus, this would be the first home team to win on wild card weekend, at least the way I've picked the games it would be.  An upset must happen somewhere, might as well be here.  They will only win if they can contain Brian Westbrook and TJ does not turn the ball over.

Prediction: Eagles 17 Vikings 23

Well that is all I have for this week.  Enjoy the great slate of wild card weekend matchups and we will see you next week for a breakdown of all the games and a look ahead to next week's divionsal battles.  Until next time, c ya.

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