Predictably, I go 3–2 in the final week of the regular season. The season mark runs to 47-36. Wild Card Weekend provides three repeat match-ups from last weekend, but I only see one coming up with the same result. The home teams will get fat on home-cooking and victories this weekend.

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals: I loved all the conspiracy theories on how other AFC teams “conveniently” lost in the final weeks to place the Jets in the playoffs and keep the Pittsburgh Steelers out. Unfortunately, the “real” Bengals will show up focused this weekend, and, yes, the rest of the AFC should be glad that the Steelers aren’t in the tournament. Go with the Bengals.

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals: Many Cardinals watchers didn’t like the way Green Bay ran up the score at last week’s meeting. This week Kurt Warner will lead Arizona, not Matt Leinart. Cardinals will move on to the next round.

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots: This is the shaky pick. WR Wes Welker is out for the Pats. Ravens’ QB Joe Flacco may put together a good outing against a less-than-stellar New England secondary. Can the once-vaunted Ravens’ defense pick up their game? The Patriot’s pedigree (i.e., Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Randy Moss) and home turf will give them the edge.

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys: Who’s going to implode first? In a sense, the Eagles started the spiral downwards last week by not bringing anything to a game (against the Cowboys) that could have reserved the #2 seed for themselves, a bye week and a home game. Now they’re facing a Cowboys team on the rise and in Dallas. Bye Birds, move on ‘Boys.