So I ended the year with a solid 132 - 117 record picking games but I often missed the parlay so the bets didn't fetch me much money (if I was in the black at all.) Anyway, now the games REALLY mean something and it's time to make the bold predictions about who is going to advance. And bold is the right word since I'm calling it that all four road teams will win.

AFC WILD CAR
b>New York Jets over Indianapolis Colts: It's tough to pick Mark Sanchez over Peyton Manning but there are just too many matchups that go work in Jets' favor. I know that the Colts' run defense has improved but I don't think it's going to be enough to stop LDT and Shonn Greene. Meanwhile, the Colts' best option on offense, the Manning-to-Wayne connection, might be left stranded on Revis Island. While I'm no fan of the Jets and think that their record was boosted by beating a lot of bad teams, I think the Colts aren't the same Colts that we're used to and Rex Ryan and Co. are going to be able to put something together to get back to the 2nd round.

Baltimore Ravens over Kansas City Chiefs: Well, it was fun while it lasted KC but I can't see the surprising run making it to the next round. Yes, the Ravens have a nasty habit of not really showing up and their secondary is shaky but it's going to take Matt Cassell taking his game to the next level to get past the Ravens and I still question whether he can lead them there. The Ravens just need to make sure to strike first and force the Chiefs to play from behind. If they do that, I just don't see the Chiefs being able to orchestrate a comeback to save their season.

NFC WILD CARNew Orleans Saints over Seattle Seahawks: The Vegas oddsmakers made this a tough one, spotting the Seahawks +10.5, which is a lot given that the weather might not be great and the Saints are now without their two big running backs. Can Julius Jones turn back the clock? Can Reggie Bush stay healthy? I think the Saints should be able to take home the W but I'm less confident about a double digit win. In the end, it's yet another Saints matchup that I'll probably get wrong so you should probably bet against the Saints -10.5 because that who I'm betting on.

Green Bay at Philadelphia: I felt more confident about this one before the Packers were shut down by the Chicago Bears defense and a lot depends on the weather but right now, I think the Packers defense can slow down the Philly offense while Philly's banged up secondary could find themselves in for a long day. The biggest difference between the two defenses, which both have similar attacking styles, is that Philly has to throw the kitchen sink at opponents in order to make up difficiencies whereas the Packers can throw different looks and blitzes out there because they have the talent to pull off the many schemes. And while Vick will be the story, all of the pressure is on Aaron Rodgers, a guy who is still living in the shadow of Brett Favre and doesn't want to have another first round knockout on his resume and another summer of hearing questions about whether or not he can win the big games.