NFL Pro Football 2007-08 Week Wild Card Weekend Picks Saturday games

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week Wild Card Weekend Picks - Saturday Games

Rick Gagliano | Jan. 3

All times Eastern - Click here for Sunday games.

Saturday, Jan. 5

Jacksonville (-2, 39 1/2) at Pittsburgh - The Steelers are in deep trouble against the Jags here. Not only is Pittsburgh very banged up and without All-Pro running back Willie Parker, but Jacksonville came to Heinz field on December 16 and smacked down the Steelers by a 29-22 score.

Weather was somewhat of a factor in that earlier game, and forecasts are for a warmer, milder day on Saturday, though that isn't likely to enhance Pittsburgh's chances very much. Parker rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries that day, so you can subtract that. Worse news is that the three-headed monster that is Jacksonville's backfield - David Garrard, Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew - rushed for a combined 224 yards that day and all three are healthy for this playoff tilt.

Pittsburgh will have to contend with Jacksonville's running game, opening up the secondary for downfield strikes by Garrard to a seemingly endless corps or receivers. Reggie Williams and Dennis Northcutt are the primary threats, but also dangerous is Jones-Drew out of the backfield.

The Steelers will not be able to keep the Jags in check for four quarters, and even though Ben Roethlisberger is one of the more creative QBs around, he doesn't have Parker to help keep the defense honest. Jacksonville defenders will be able to squat on routes and may come away with a number of picks. It's one and done for Pittsburgh

Prediction: Jaguars 27 Steelers 17

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Washington at Seattle (-3 1/2, 40) - There are plenty of good things to say about both of these teams and either one could conceivably make a run to the NFC championship or beyond. Seattle trudged its way to yet another NFC west title and coach Mike Holmgren has addressed needs on defense this season, making Seattle formidable up front. The team registered 45 sacks, 4th in the league and should be able to apply pressure on Redskins QB Todd Collins, who has been dropped for losses 7 times in the past four games.

Collins may not be fast afoot, but he is smart and cagey, and the O-line for Washington is very, very good. The battle up front will be ferocious and Washington will be hard-pressed to sustain any momentum.

What Washington brings is a 4-game win streak, a healthy Clinton Portis and a vastly underrated defense, especially in the secondary. The 'Skins are still playing with emotion over the death of teammate Shawn Taylor and while that event is now six weeks past, that only helps players embed the Memory deep into their psyche. Washington has enough veteran players to not get overly amped up and will play within their system.

Seattle is a very tough place to play, but Washington is playing tremendous defense and better-than-average offensively. Corners Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot match up well against Seattle's ball-control-type receivers and shouldn't allow anything deep. In fact, if the Seahawks are unable to generate a passing offense, forget about running the ball. Washington led the league in rushing yards allowed over the final four weeks of the season, limiting Dallas to a mere 1 yard last week.

After losing 20-10 in last year's divisional playoff at Seattle, the Redskins are aware of the crowd noise and will be better prepared for this one. A small turnover edge, smothering defense and a timely run or two by Portis spells victory for Washington.

Prediction: Redskins 20 Seahawks 13

All times Eastern - Click here for Sunday games

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