Wild Card Weekend: Week 18 Picks by Chris Schultz:

[Lukester]

4:30 PM Saturday, January 09, 2010
NY Jets Cincinnati (-2.5) Schultz Picks: NY Jets:
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The Cincinnati Bengals have not beaten a team with a winning record since the Pittsburgh game in Week 10. As much as Chad Ochocinco likes to have fun playing professional football, Darrelle Revis shut him down for the entire game last week. Revis is the best cornerback in the NFL and I don't see him being dominated just one week later. The Jets just bear up the Bengals last week. An underrated offensive line with an exceptional interior three of Alan Faneca, Nick Mangold and Brandon Moore dominated the point of attack, nothing fancy just excellent offensive line play. Yes the Bengals will have their top running back back in Cedric Benson and he may have individual success, but if Rex Ryan gets Carson Palmer in third and long, he is not going to be passive. The reason the Jets have the NFL's best defence is that they dictate to the offence, and can overpower any NFL offence of sophistication. The Bengals will be ready, the Jets already are. New York 17, Bengals 14



8:00 PM Saturday, January 09, 2010
Philadelphia Dallas (-4.0) Schultz Picks: Dallas:
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It is difficult not to feel confident in the Dallas Cowboys advancing to the NFL Divisional Playoff Round next week. The Cowboys opened up last week with an eight-play, a 12-play, and another eight play drive that resulted in 14 points and a red zone interception, and there was no football luck involved. They ran effectively behind Leonard Davis at right guard and Andre Gurode at centre. They controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides with simple football. They Eagles had their moments, but an inaccurate pass to DeSean Jackson, and a red zone fumble took 14 points off the board. I expect Philadelphia to be immensely aggressive in this third game and roll the dice as it relates to risk reward defence, but Dallas can burn them. Philadelphia has allowed 46 pass plays of 20 yards or more and the blitz pick up, wide receiver post snap adjustments and Tony Romo are at their best right now. It is tough to beat a team three times in one season. It is tough to beat a team back-to-back after shutting them out just one week ago. But as long as Dallas plays angry football and continues to attack physically, I think they can wear down the Eagles. Philadelphia 17, Dallas 27



1:00 PM Sunday, January 10, 2010
Baltimore New England (-3.5) Schultz Picks: New England:
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The Patriots seem wounded and vulnerable to a very good Ravens football team, but I don't go for it. First, don't underestimate Julian Edelman replacing Wes Welker. He is not Wes Welker, nobody is, but is similar in ability and smart. A former Kent State quarterback and seventh round draft pick, Edelman understands his role on offence, but knows defences and all the multiple coverages extremely well. Pass rush is a key issue for the Patriots. They struggled last week against Houston and Matt Schaub's offence scored 34 points. But Joe Flacco is not Schaub, he is still developing and is dramatically more effective at home than on the road. Tom Brady has won 14 of 17 playoff games and with the emergence of Sebastian Vollmer at both tackle positions, his protection is better now than at any time of the season. If Charlie Frye and JaMarcus Russell can combine for 282 passing yards against Baltimore, Brady can hit 300. In many ways the Patriots are suspect, but this being the first round of the NFL playoffs, I think they will effectively rise to the challenge of the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore 21, New England 27



4:40 PM Sunday, January 10, 2010
Green Bay Arizona (-2.5) Schultz Picks: Green Bay:
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Tough game to pick because there is no doubt Arizona played last week to capitalize on this week, while Green Bay played to win. So how much emphasis should we put on the Packers' 33-7 win? Well, with a five-receiver set of Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and pass catching tight end Jermichael Finley, I do think the Packers can out score the Cardinals. Everything changed for Green Bay after the Week 9 loss to Tampa Bay 38-28. Since then they have won seven of eight and the only loss was last moment in Pittsburgh. Everything also changed when Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher re-appeared as starting offensive tackles. Dom Capers 3-4 defence may be at its best right now, and the speed of the Packers starting linebackers is as impressive as any group in football. The Packers are +24 takeaway/giveaway, best in the NFL. Green Bay 23, Arizona 20


*Through 256 games, Schultz is 139-111-6