NFL picks--Wildcard weekend

Last week: 12-4
Season record: 161-79

Wow, it's hard to fathom that we're into the NFL playoffs already.  But we are, and there are some killer games to kick off January football on Saturday and Sunday.  So let's get to it!

Arizona at Carolina--It's kind of funny how we were all in an uproar about the fact that a sub-.500 team is in the playoffs again while the 10-6 Eagles are already on their collective couch (as a Giants fan, I love it.  As a football fan, I'm kind of annoyed).  But since the 7-8-1 Panthers have been playing well, culminating in that utter annihilation of the Falcons last weekend, and the 11-5 Cards have been regressing with everyone but me as their quarterback, Carolina is expected to win and advance by many.  I was leaning Carolina myself but something is tapping at my brain, and I think it's Bruce Arians.  Well, not literally.  But that AZ defense is so good, coupled with the fact that Carolina has this awesome ability to choke in the postseason, and my gut is telling me to take the visitors.  Cards 19, Panthers 16

Baltimore at Pittsburgh--You can take every record and statistic when these two teams play and throw it out the window.  It's always a bloodbath and almost always a great game.  Now they meet in the playoffs again.  Does Joe Flacco have more magic in him that took his team to a championship two seasons ago?  Or do the Steelers continue to roll?  Le'Veon Bell still may play, but even if he does he won't be as effective as usual.  And there is still Big Ben and Antonio Brown to contend with.  Steelers 31, Ravens 27

Cincinnati at Indianapolis--It's getting to be old hat for Marvin Lewis' Bengals to make the playoffs and then lose their first game.  This season will be no different as Andrew Luck finds a way to slice and dice the vaunted Bengals' D, and Andy Dalton keeps throwing balls to the other team when it matters most.  And if that happens again, there will be a mutiny in Cincy (so hint, there WILL be a mutiny).  Colts 29, Bengals 17

Detroit at Dallas--I'm not fond of the Eagles or Cowboys, so I'm always gonna root against them in the postseason.  But man, these Cowboys are on a mission, and they are different than any Dallas team has been in years.  Detroit has a great offense on paper, but has underachieved this year, while being carried by their stingy D.  I wish I could say Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and DeMarco Murray won't shred that defense, but they will and they will be traveling to Green Bay next weekend.  Cowboys 34, Lions 20