NFL’s Wildcard Weekend begins today as the well-awaited playoffs are guaranteed to entertain us as usual. We have superstars, familiar faces, rookies, and underdogs, all with their names in the hat. But the question is what team is ready to make a run for the Super Bowl crown. What team is ready to come together to overcome the best the NFL has to offer this year. LETS GET TO THE PICKS.

            ATLANTA FALCONS    AT     ARIZONA CARDINALS -1

ATLANTS NEEDS TO:  Have success pounding the ball with Michael Turner. If they control the clock and Matt Ryan has a productive running game by his side, they are going to have a great chance of winning this game. On the defensive side of the ball they need to get to Kurt Warner, plain and simple. If they can rattle Warner and get him worried about the pressure the offense will lose its rhythm and Warner is sure to lose a fumble or two.

ARIZONA NEEDS TO:  Slow the Atlanta running game down. If Arizona’s defense can contain Turner and prevent him from winning the game, they will be in control. On offense, if they protect Warner and give him the comfort and time he needs he will get the ball to his playmaking wide receivers and they will do the rest. Arizona also has to get some running back production. Even though I think Zona will have no trouble passing on Atlanta’s secondary.

PREDICTION: Arizona will have the home crowd pumped up, sell out or not, and my gut tells me their defense is going to come to play. Arizona will hold Turner to around 80 yards rushing and prevent Turner from controlling the game. Kurt Warner is going to have a big day through the air, as Boldin and Fitzgerald will both likely see pay dirt. I also expect the Arizona running backs to make a surprise appearance with Hightower in the red zone and Arrington catching a big screenplay to keep the defense honest.   ARIZONA 30-20.

            INDIANPOLIS COLTS -1    AT    SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

INDIANPOLIS NEEDS TO:  Support 3-time MVP Peyton Manning. Provide Peyton with any kind of running game or defensive play tonight and Peyton is sure to come thru. He is looking sharper then ever after starting the season injured. On defense the d ends need to get to pressure Rivers and force a turnover or two.

SAN DIEGO NEEDS TO: Pressure Peyton and continue to prevent Indy’s rbs from producing. Their 3-4 defense has had a good history versus Peyton and the Colts. If they can get a lead and momentum this game will go down to the wire. LT is banged up but Sproles can replace him.

PREDICTION: Rivers and Sproles are going to provide some offensive punch as will the underrated Vincent Jackson. But, Peyton Manning is going to be too much for the Chargers this time around. With a big defensive play or two made by the Indy defensive ends or Bob Sanders, that’s going to be all Peyton needs to advance past San Diego. INDIANAPOLIS 27-20.

Peter Lomuscio