My quick picks for NFL Wild Card Weekend.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans – Saturday 1/7 1:30 PM PST (NBC)

I’m only sure about one thing with regard to this game. Whichever team wins will lose next week. Both teams are heading in the wrong direction. Cincinnati, having to play several crucial games in the back half of the season to keep their playoff hopes alive, backed into the playoffs. The Bengals have lost five of their last eight games. On the other side, the Texans once very promising season was derailed when Matt Schaub went down with a season-ending injury. Having wrapped up the AFC South, Houston proceeded to lose its last three games.

As for this week, both starting quarterbacks are not exactly coming into this game at complete strength. Cincinnati starter Andy Dalton missed most of the week with an illness and Houston’s T.J. Yates injured his shoulder in last week’s game. The Texans will likely heavily rely on RB Arian Foster to carry the load. If he’s able to break a couple of big ones (or consistently be effective) things will very much be in Houston’s favor. Houston’s defense hasn’t been as strong in recent games. Cincinnati will rely on their balance on both sides of the ball to grind the game out. The Bengals are seeking to avenge a Week 14 home loss to the Texans.

Against my better judgment I’m picking Cincinnati and the upset. Right or wrong, I’ve been riding the Bengals all year.

Pick: Bengals 20 Houston 19

Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints – Saturday 1/7 5:00 PM PST (NBC)

New Orleans Saints: won eight in a row, undefeated at home in the regular season, averaged 41 points scored at home in the regular season, and have scored over 40 points in four of the last six games including each of the last three.

New Orleans is certainly peaking (at the right time). This explosive offense, in front of their home crowd (tough place to play) against a collection of players that has shown several times this season that it can let their emotions get the best of them? If the Saints come out and start fast (which has been their tendency lately) things can get ugly real quick for the Lions.

These teams met in Week 13, a 31-17 Saints victory. The Lions can move the ball (particularly through the air) and put up points too, but they won’t be able to stop the Saints and will need to play a very clean game to have a chance. Turnovers are the key to the game. The Lions simply can’t have them and probably need to have more than one takeaway to win.  New Orleans has shown to be the type of team that capitalizes on opponent’s mistakes in a hurry and in big bursts. Once they get rolling they’re very difficult to stop. Detroit really needs Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson to have big games.

I bet the Saints continue to march on.

Pick: Lions 27 Saints 45

Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants – Sunday 1/8 10:00 AM PST (FOX)

I haven’t been impressed with the Falcons at any point this season. Atlanta was 1-4 against playoff teams. There’s not much else to say about the Falcons. They are good at stopping the run, but the Giants don’t rely on the run and are pass heavy. You would think that Matt Ryan would have to come up big if the Falcons are to win or are close late in the game. For him to be considered among the elite quarterbacks he’s going to have to step up in the playoffs.

I thought the Giants were better than their 9-7 record. They have one of the better quarterbacks in the league and a strong defensive line. They are also playing at home, but were only 4-4 there during the regular season. Still, with Eli Manning (FYI: my least favorite player in the NFL) and New York’s receivers they should do well on offense. The Giants as a whole seem to have found it the last two weeks.

You can say it about most games but a few plays here or there will likely decide the winner or at least play a huge part in the outcome.

I’ll take the Giants because I think they’re the better team.

Pick: Falcons 23 Giants 31

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos – Sunday 1/8 1:30 PM PST (CBS)

Boy, Pittsburgh has a lot of injuries. Ben Roethlisberger has a hurt ankle. RBs Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore are out with injuries. Center Maurkice Pouncey won’t play either. On defense, four starters were listed on the injury report but as probable. Safety Ryan Clark will not play due to a medical condition. I’m not sure if these injuries will catch up with the Steelers in this week’s game, but the prospects of a deep playoff run are certainly hampered.

In the Broncos last three games, all losses, Tim Tebow was 30/73 (41.1%), 1 TD/4 INT, and lost a fumble in each game. It is imperative for Denver that Tebow plays turnover free. If the Broncos pull this game out it will be because they played the way they did during their six game winning streak. Run the ball, limit the amount of possessions, and pull it out in the fourth quarter. The home playoff crowd should also help.

Outside of turnovers on Denver’s side, the key to the game will be the effectiveness of the Broncos’ rushing attack. Denver averages the most rushing yards on offense while Pittsburgh is ranked eighth in rush defense. I wouldn’t expect the Broncos to be able to pass much on the Steelers as the Broncos are ranked 31st in passing yards while the Steelers have the best pass defense in the league. If Denver is in this game or happens to win it will likely be ugly.

The Steelers have been here before and are an experienced group. They are also the much more talented team even with the injuries. Ben Roethlisberger makes plays, they have explosive receivers, and a ferocious defense that faces an offense that does one thing very well and one thing very poor.

Pittsburgh is banged up, but Denver has looked horrendous the last three weeks.

Pick: Steelers 24 Broncos 13

As sure as I think I am about what is going to happen in any game here or otherwise anything is possible. That’s why they play the games (pick your cliché).

Anyone else have predictions?