UTTQ Predictions: Wild Card Weekend

CINCINNATI 27, HOUSTON 24
The last time these two teams got together, the Texans pulled out the win with a last second TD toss by TJ Yates. Fast-forward to Sunday and Yates' status is iffy after leaving last weekend's loss to the Titans. Houston has been shaky throughout the second half of the season following Matt Schaub's injury and have held the ship together through strong performances by Arian Foster and Wade Phillip's defense. On the other side, Cincy has been steady throughout 2011 with Andy Dalton having impressed most everyone. In a showdown between rookie Quarterbacks, this game should come down to which signal caller can manage his team most effectively and efficiently. My money is on the man that's been the starter all season in Dalton with the Bengals pulling this one out in the fourth.

PITTSBURGH 17, DENVER 20
For any other playoff team but Denver, this match up looks juicy with Rashard Mendenhall and Maurkice Pouncey sidelined and Big Ben slowed by a bum ankle. However, the Broncos have been terrible over the past month, embodied by the struggling Tim Tebow. Roethlisberger and company still must face a tough Denver D that has held strong for the most part despite the immense ineptitude of the offense. If Tebow can right the ship and turn in a good performance, Denver has a shot to pull the upset. I'm gonna take a chance here and say they pull off the biggest surprise of the Wild Card round.

ATLANTA 30, NEW YORK GIANTS 33
The Giants have looked scary good in wins over the Jets and Cowboys, as have the Falcons apart from a blowout loss at New Orleans. With both Matt Ryan and Eli Manning having their best professional seasons, this showdown could come down to which D can step up in the crucial moments. New York has just been so dominant as of late, it's hard to pick against them so I'll say that the G-Men get the last laugh in this potential shootout.







DETROIT 40, NEW ORLEANS 45
If you hate high-scoring affairs, then avoid this game at all costs. Drew Brees and Matt Stafford both threw for over 5000 yrds and 40 TDs in stellar 2011 campaigns, and a shootout is all but guaranteed. Neither team can run the ball all the effectively especially with the loss of Mark Ingram for the Saints. The Lions have been a great story this season but their Cinderella run ends tomorrow night.