Our Experts Predict: NFL Playoffs

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Next game: NFC Wildcard Game
Sunday, January 10th at Arizona
Packers Gameday at 1:00 p.m. on Newsradio 620 WTMJ, a live blog here and coverage on Live at 10 on TODAY'S TMJ4 HD

NFL Wildcard Saturday
NY Jets at Cincinnati and Philadelphia at Dallas
Coverage starts at 3:00 p.m. on TODAY'S TMJ4 HD

It's the 2009 NFL Playoffs.

The Packers return to the postseason for the 25th time.

They are the hottest team in the NFC, having won seven of their last eight games.

But can they get all the way to Miami in February?

If not, who will?

Our Experts give you their thoughts.

2009 NFL Playoffs
Our Expert How Far Will Packers Go? Playoff Predictions Super Bowl Prediction

Brian Carriveau
Blogger,
Sportsbubbler's Railbird Central

NFC Championship Game, lose to Dallas
Just like the Packers are a different team from earlier in the season, so are the Cowboys. All phases of their game are clicking - running game, passing game, run defense, pass defense, special teams, and they'll be tough to beat on the road.

NFC Wildcard:
Green Bay over Arizona
Dallas over Philadelphia

NFC Semifinals:
Green Bay over New Orleans
Dallas over Minnesota

NFC Championship:
Dallas over Green Bay

AFC Wildcard:
NY Jets over Cincinnati
New England over Baltimore

AFC Semifinals:
Indianapolis over NY Jets
San Diego over New England

AFC Championship:
San Diego over Indianapolis

San Diego over Dallas
The Chargers are the hottest team in the NFL right now, and they're going to be at full power with a week to rest. Phillip Rivers is ready to join the discussion of elite quarterbacks in the NFL. He'll be in the same breath of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning with a Super Bowl win.

Jeff Falconio
Studio Anchor,
Packers Gameday
Host, Wisconsin
Sports Weekend, 620WTMJ
More - The Junior Varsity Blog

NFC Semifinals, lose to New Orleans
The secondary is a concern and against a thin defense Drew Brees carved up Green Bay on a Monday night last year. The bye week allows the Saints to get healthy and there are just too many weapons for the Packers to account for.

NFC Wildcard:
Green Bay over Arizona
Dallas over Philadelphia

NFC Semifinals:
New Orleans over Green Bay
Dallas over Minnesota

NFC Championship:
Dallas over New Orleans

AFC Wildcard:
Cincinnati over NY Jets
Baltimore over New England

AFC Semifinals:
Indianapolis over Baltimore
San Diego over Cincinnati

AFC Championship:
San Diego over Indianapolis

Dallas over San Diego
The Cowboys have put the December demons behind them and now come into the playoffs healthy on offense, aggressive on defense and with Tony Romo playing very good football.

Greg Matzek
Co-Host, Wisconsin
Sports Weekend, 620WTMJ
Contributor,
Sportsbubbler

Super Bowl XLIV, lose to Indianapolis
I picked Green Bay to be 11-5 and in the Super Bowl at the beginning of the year, and I can't go back on that now!

NFC Wildcard:
Green Bay over Arizona
Dallas over Philadelphia

NFC Semifinals: 
Green Bay over New Orleans
Minnesota over Dallas

NFC Championship:
Green Bay over Minnesota

AFC Wildcard: 
NY Jets over Cincinnati
New England over Baltimore

AFC Semifinals
Indianapolis over NY Jets
San Diego over New England

AFC Championship
Indianapolis over Green Bay

Indianapolis over Green Bay

Bill Michaels
Host, Packers
Gameday and
Sports Central,
620WTMJ
Sportsbubbler:
"The Big Unit
on Green Bay"
More - Big Unit Blog

NFC Semifinals, lose to New Orleans
The Packers are a more physical team than the Cardinals and that will give them the edge. With the Packers seemingly clicking in all phases right now, they're poised to knock off an injured Cardinals team.

NFC Wildcard:
Green Bay over Arizona
Dallas over Philadelphia

NFC Semifinals:
New Orleans over Green Bay
Minnesota over Dallas

NFC Championship:
New Orleans over Minnesota

AFC Championship:
Indianapolis over San Diego

New Orleans over Indianapolis

Jay Sorgi
News, Sports Anchor/Reporter and Packers Blogger,
620WTMJ
Sportsbubbler:
"What the Blog's
Going On Out
Here?"

NFC Semifinals, lose to New Orleans
The Packers can handle Arizona in a shootout because they are one-dimensional and their line isn't the NFL's best.  Even with the Packers' defense having improved leaps and bounds after the 4-4 first hafl of the '09 season, the Saints and Vikings both have too much weaponry for the Packers to handle without a healthy Al Harris.

NFC Wildcard:
Green Bay over Arizona
Dallas over Philadelphia

NFC Semifinals:
New Orleans over Green Bay
Minnesota over Dallas

NFC Finals:
New Orleans over Minnesota

AFC Wildcard:
Cincinnati over NY Jets
Baltimore over New England

AFC Semifinals:
Indianapolis over Baltimore
San Diego over Cincinnati

AFC Finals:
San Diego over Indianapolis

San Diego over New Orleans 
Teams that are hot going into January tend to perform better if their matchups are advantageous.  San Diego has the best combination of overall balance in every phase of play and complete balance of every team remaining.