The Sports Union had so much fun making Kevin Patra and J.David pick the BCS games, it decided to make them pick the NFL Wild Card Games also.  Neither of them missed a single game or score for the BCS proving that they know more than just how to cheat off the smart kids.  So, mark these picks down as they mesmerize people with their knowledge of the NFL and how they produce these very scientific selections.

Saturday’s Matchups

Indianapolis vs. San Diego

Kevin Patra – Until Peyton Manning retires I’m officially dubbing this the “Little Brother” match-up (and yes I realize that Peyton’s actual little brother plays for the Giants, that is besides the point).  Why is it the little brother match-up? If you have a little bro you probably don’t need the explanation.  The little brother gets pounded when he is young, they he grows up to be bigger and stronger than the older brother.  If you had to pick on a whim you would say that the younger brother would win in a fight consistently.  However, for whatever reason the older brother always seems to come out on top when it counts.  Oh the little brother might get some token wins, but in the crunch, some how-call it savviness, experience, old man strength-the old brother comes out on top.  In case you didn’t already know, San Diego is the little brother.  Indianapolis 27 – San Diego 21

J.David – In week 12 the Indianapolis Colts came to sunny San Diego and proved to the world they could beat the Chargers in their own backyard.  The Chargers are the team who accomplished so much and yet continued to be huge under achievers.  Thanks to the complete collapse of the Denver Broncos, the Chargers went from without a prayer in making the playoffs to AFC West Champions and hosting a Wild Card.  LaDainian Tomlinson is nursing his groin injury in order to dispel last years questions of his manhood when he refused to play in the AFC championship game against the then undefeated New England Patriots because of a minor knee injury.  When the Chargers had the Broncos game well in hand, Tomlinson left the game with a “phantom” injury to his groin, because what better way to change people’s perceptions then to come back the following year and play through an “injury.”  However, Antonio Gates is questionable with a serious ankle sprain and will most likely not play.  On the other side of the field is the specimen, Bob Sanders, who anchors the Colt defense and was unable to play in the week 12 victory, but will play this go around.  Of course, we can’t forget about that Peyton guy either.  Indianapolis 34 – San Diego 20 

Atlanta vs. Arizona

Kevin Patra – Somehow the Falcons are the sexy pick to go deep in the playoffs.  But can I consciously bet on a rookie quarterback (who has played out of his mind) on the road?  Atlanta does have the better record at 11-5, but are only 4-4 on the road.  They are the epitome of a decent team with a rookie quarterback that relies on the running game:  great at home, .500 on the road.  The Cardinals backed into the playoffs losing four of their past six games.  Granted they clinched their Division four weeks ago and could afford a couple flop games.  So the question is: the Rookie on the road or the team giving up over 26 points/game and 110 rushing yards with a quarterback who might have grandchildren?  Give me grandpa.   Arizona 34 – Atlanta 24

J.David – Arizona limped into the playoffs losing four out of their last six games.  The teams they lost to were legit teams in the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots; proving they are not a playoff caliber team.  Their two wins were against bottom dwellers in St. Louis and Seattle Seahawks.  Atlanta has defied odds and made the playoffs behind the play of rookie quarterback, Matt Ryan and off-season free agent signee, running back Michael Turner.  But the Cardinals have the veteran and twice league MVP, Kurt Warner, who is the only quarterback in the league who can throw for 400 yards and 9 interceptions in one game.  The kid gets it done for the dirty birds as Ryan leads the Falcons to a trouncing of the red birds … wait, another Atlanta quarterback acting cruelly to animals?  No, but just maybe with this victory the Falcon fans might just forget about that other guy sitting in Cell Block D.  Atlanta 45 – Arizona 28

Sunday’s Matchup

Baltimore vs. Miami

Kevin Patra – I realize I going to be hypocritical, but it’s sports and if you aren’t hypocritical you are doing something wrong (at least that is what I’ve learned by reading/watching ESPN for over 20 years).  So while I complained about a rookie quarterback on the road for the Atlanta-Arizona match-up, I actually like Joe Flacco in this game.  Why the hypocrisy?  Because Atlanta doesn’t have the Baltimore Defense, and didn’t already pound their opponent earlier.  In their previous match-up the Ravens smoked the Dolphins off its own field 27-13.  Baltimore gained 357 total yards with Flacco throwing for 232 yards and a touchdown.  What is to like about Miami?  Seems like they might just be happy to be here after a 1-15 record a year ago.  They are a great story. Unfortunately, for “good story” teams who are just glad to be in the spotlight it usually ends badly.  Baltimore 35 – Miami 14

J.David – Comeback player of the year … again … Chad Pennington leads his Miami Dolphins against the Ray Lewis led Baltimore Ravens.  This game has “ugly” written all over it and it will deliver a huge helping of the ugly.  The Ravens will dominate Mr. Comeback and his college “wildcat formation” offense again, leaving yards hard to come by.  The rookie quarterback for the Ravens, Joe Flacco, will finally look like a rookie and the Ravens will also struggle to move the chains, but they will be content relying on the strength of their defense and eliminating all mistakes on offense.  The best part of this game is the fact that it will be the last for Bill Parcells in Miami, as he will opt out of his contract as soon as Wayne Huizinga sells the Dolphins.  The Big Tuna will take his 12 million clams and head to GM another team as per the unbelievable terms of his contract.  The only thing better would be if after he opted out and pocketed the money, he turned around and resigned with the Dolphins for another ridiculous contract . . . only in America and only in professional sports.  Baltimore 17 – Miami 10

Philadelphia vs. Minnesota

Kevin Patra – This is like deciding between Bud Light and Miller Lite.  Both are watered down, over priced, and all things being equal you wouldn’t choose either.  Do you want the team coming off a blowout win, but the week before couldn’t even score a touchdown?  Do you want the team whose quarterback is Tarvaris Jackson, but boasts the best running back in the league?  Do you want a team that has a game breaker in Brian Westbrook, but who is so fragile he has a sign over his locker that says, “Caution, Handle With Care”?  Or do you want the home team who plays in one of the nosiest and rambunctious crowd in the NFL, but whose secondary has more holes than a five-person hookah bong?  I originally picked Minnesota based solely on the fact that Adrian Peterson could beat a team with the Minnesota Gophers cheerleaders blocking for him.  Then remembered that Jackson was still the starting quarterback.  Philadelphia 20 – Minnesota 17

J.David – “Tarvaris Jackson” should be enough to tell you who is going to win this game.  The Eagles are going to put 24 players in the box to stop Adrian Peterson and beg the Vikings quarterback, Jackson, to throw the ball.  If Jackson has five open receivers being guarded by one defensive back, he will throw his pass in one of two places:  1) Right to the defensive back, or 2) Air mail the ball over the open receiver’s head by at least 17 yards.  The Eagles, led by their quarterback Donovan McNabb, will have their way against the Viking defense and will continue to perform at the highest levels during the playoffs.  After this game, everyone will remember the talk heard after the week 2 loss to Dallas when all the experts pointed to a Dallas-Philadelphia NFC Championship game.  McNabb battled back from the benching in week 12 by beating the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the dismantling of the Dallas Cowboys to make the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NFL.  Their only hiccup was to the Washington Redskins in the second-to-last week, and they have put that and the subpar middle third of the season behind them and have set their sights on another trip to the NFC Championship game.  Philadelphia 30 – Minnesota 17

More from The Sports Union

• The Sports Union’s NFL Conference Championship Predictions
• The Sports Union’s NFL Divisional Playoff Predictions
• Wild Card Weekend: Jets-Bengals Preview