Pick 'em: Wild Card round

It's playoff time. The Pats are back after missing it last year. But in some ways last year's team would have filled me with more confidence heading into the postseason. And that was with Matt Cassel at QB. I'm looking forward to watching Brady on the playoff stage again. He has to be the hungriest player on the field. But he can't do it alone. None of the stars on any of this weekend's competitors can do it alone. That's why I'm going with the four most balanced teams in the Wild Card match-ups.

AFC GAMES

Ravens at Patriots: This is the team I was hoping the Pats would get in the first round. Not because the Ravens will be easy to beat. Just the opposite. It's going to take a 60-minute, hard-hitting, mistake-free effort to beat Ray Lewis and Co. If the Pats can do that I'll feel a lot better about their chances of going deep into the playoffs. Welker is gone but Wilfork and Warren should be back. The Pats beat the Ravens 27-21 in Week 4. It was one of their most complete games of the season. It was also the only home game I missed this year. I'm looking forward to a game just as intense. And just as close. Pick: Patriots 23, Ravens 17

Jets at Bengals: One of three games this weekend that is a rematch of the season finale. An odd occurrence. The Jets stomped Cincy 37-0 to get in the playoffs. But that was in the Meadowlands. This will be in Cincy. The Bengals were the better team most of the season but the Jets -- if they don't have to rely on rookie QB Sanchez to win it for them -- are playing better ball right now. Rex Ryan has not exactly coached to his team's strengths (best D, great running game) this year. You have to think that will change in the playoffs. Pick: Jets 17, Bengals 16

NFC GAMES

Eagles at Cowboys: Dallas is playing some of the best football in the league at the moment. They just stomped on the Eagles 24-0 with the division on the line. The Cowboys can score in many ways and stop you in many ways. The Eagles can't. They will try to run on Dallas but their hopes rest with the playmaker DeSean Jackson. Like I said, the teams that are the most balanced will move on. The 'Boys will end their playoff drought in a big way. Pick: Cowboys 37, Eagles 17

Packers at Cardinals: The Cardinals are hoping for another magical run like the one that put them in the Super Bowl last year. It's going to take more than magic for them to beat the Packers. Green Bay has a great passing attack so they will be able to put pressure on the Cardinals D. The Packers' defense will be able to bring lots of pressure of its own. They should be in Warner's face all day ... and that usually spells disaster for the Cards. Pick: Packers 30, Cardinals 20