The Once-Over: Wild Card Weekend

With attention spans dwindling, we forego full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. Click here to go back in time.

Saturday Games

Atlanta at Arizona (4:30 PM ET): I said a few days ago that I thought this was the perfect situation for Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (rookie play-caller, first playoff game, up against a struggling team with a spotty defense). In reality, it is really a perfect match-up for both teams. Atlanta gets to go on the road against the only playoff team they'd want to play. And in the past six weeks, Arizona has defeated only two teams, who have a combined record of 6-26.

For the Cardinals, they are getting an inexperienced playoff team at home, where they always seem to play better. Think about it -- out of the Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Vikings, and Panthers, the Cards would have almost certainly picked Atlanta to face in in their first-ever home playoff game in Arizona.

Yet I think Atlanta pulls this one out. Not counting the passing explosion against the Seahawks in Week 17, Kurt Warner has been off lately, and now the Cardinals have to deal with all this Larry Fitzgerald off the field stuff. That actually brings me to an off topic: You know how we live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty? If you're an athlete (or public figure), you are guilty as soon as anyone accuses you of something. It is rather ridiculous.

Pick: Atlanta

Indianapolis at San Diego (8:30 PM ET): Saturday evening I have a wedding. My good buddy from college (with whom I worked with in Scotland together) is taking the plunge and, if you can believe it, asked me to be in his wedding party.

I'm excited. I like weddings. I think that even though Wedding Crashers basically made every guy in the world think they're getting lucky anytime rings are involved, the atmosphere and the open bar (crosses fingers) is always a good time. That is, unless you schedule the damn thing during a huge sporting event (like this Saturday night).

I have no girlfriend (shocking) right now, but when I get serious again with a girl, I'm laying the following rules out for my wedding date.

1. It must be in the summer, not during the U.S. Open, British Open or Wimbledon weekends -- Sure, a regular season baseball game with a ton of playoff implications might be important, but it is also miss-able. If you were to rank a regular season baseball game in the top-10 of most important sporting events, it wouldn't come close to making the list.

2. If not in the summer, check all college football schedules -- "Oh sweetie, you like the fall? You think it is beautiful outside and the weather will make for better pictures. Awesome, just make sure Texas isn't playing Oklahoma, Ohio State isn't hosting Michigan, the SEC championship is the following weekend and Arizona is on a bye week. Cool, thanks." Seriously, weddings are all about the bride anyway. If I just show up for the "I dos" and pictures, I'm sure nobody would really miss me.

3. No NFL playoff weekends AT ALL -- Hey, you haven't signed your name on any paper, you can still get out while you're still not legally bound. This is unacceptable. It is the PLAYOFFS! You might miss the "Music City Miracle" just because her dad won't shut up about how much he's going to miss being the only man in his little girl's life (note to dads: You haven't been for years).

4. If you can't avoid any of these, give your boys a TV -- Your friends will hate you if you are really screwing up a sporting event. While it might not be classy, find a television and put it somewhere away from the dance floor. This avoids two things -- dancing and having to socialize. Added bonus to the groom if you put the television with the game on near the beer. People will actually be asking to marry you at your own wedding.

Sorry for the rant. I won't be watching this game until late in the second half. I'm obviously pumped about it. Oh, and if Philip Rivers beats Peyton Manning after Manning just went 9-0 and played like the likely MVP, I don't know anything.

Pick: Colts

Sunday Games

Baltimore at Miami (1:00 PM): Defensive teams win these dirtball games, plain and simple. Ray Lewis and company know they got a good deal this week and are probably planning to take full advantage. I guess since nobody has given the Dolphins any credit all year, I shouldn't start now. The story has been great, Chad Pennington has been terrific, but the Ravens will win this game because of their defense. Also, a side note, but how cool would it be to see both rookie quarterbacks win their games this weekend?

Pick: Baltimore

Philadelphia at Minnesota (4:30 PM): Explain this to me. Why does everyone, and I mean everyone, think the Eagles roll in this game when two weeks prior they lost to the Redskins, 10-3, when Washington had zilch to play for? Washington had 122 yards on the ground in that game, with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts running the show. Now, Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor get their shot at the Eagles defense.

Maybe it is just wishful thinking, but when I first saw this game I thought Minnesota was a lock. In the Eagles' last eight games, they've only beaten one true playoff contender (the Giants) and one team that got in because their division was terrible (Arizona). Other than that, it was a win over Cleveland and that spanking of Dallas.

I know it is hard to go out and shoot consecutive 65's in a golf tournament, and that was basically what the Eagles fired last week when hosting the Cowboys. Now, they have to do the same thing about the Vikings, who might be showcasing the worst quarterback in the playoffs but they also have the game's best running back.

Pick: Minnesota