Of the 12 playoff teams, five are downright scary -- the Atlanta Falcons with Michael Vick, the Cleveland Browns because they play all 60 minutes, the New York Jets because they are playing the best football of any team, the New York Giants because Jim Fassel is waving his magic wand, and the Tennessee Titans with a healthy Steve McNair.

It's possible for any of the 12 teams to make it to the Super Bowl because it's been a season of possibilities and one with no dominant team. That said, my Super Bowl pick would be an Oakland-Philadelphia matchup.

In the meantime, here is how I see the four wild-card games this weekend:

Indianapolis at NY Jets -- Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET

	Manning

	Pennington

Only the Raiders may be playing as well as the Jets. Even though the Colts and the Jets didn't play this year, there is a familiarity because they both played in the AFC East for years before the Colts moved this season to the AFC North. Plus, the head coaches, Tony Dungy and Herm Edwards, worked together in Tampa Bay.

I have gushed with enthusiasm about Chad Pennington's ability and intelligence. Along with being an aware quarterback, Pennington does a nice job of protecting the football. Offensively, the Jets are both explosive and versatile and create problems for defenses with their weapons. I like their speed outside with Santana Moss and Laveranues Coles, who has elevated his game to another level. Curtis Martin is finally healthy and productive again, and Richie Anderson can be used as a receiver out of the backfield. Wayne Chrebet and Anthony Becht give Pennington more dependable options in the passing game.

The Jets' defense is finally doing what defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell wants it to do. Over the first five games of the season, the Jets allowed an average of 191 rushing yards a game. Over the final 11, they allowed nearly 93 a game. All Cottrell did was make minor adjustments, like moving Sam Cowart to a position similar to what he played in Buffalo, and Mo Lewis closer to the line of scrimmage.

The Colts, meanwhile, are a one-receiver team. Offensive coordinator Tom Moore makes no bones about their intention to get the ball to Marvin Harrison. He is extremely quick and fast on turf. But it should be a different story on grass at Giants Stadium. Because the Colts are turf team built for speed, the poor playing conditions favor the Jets.

Peyton Manning has only had an average season, and the Colts' offensive weapons are limited. But Edgerrin James finally showed some life against Jacksonville, a good sign for the Colts.

Because the Colts' defense isn't big and may have a tendency to get worn down, the Jets may try to pound them with the running game and then take advantage of some play-action opportunties.

Player to watch: James. He has to come up big for the Colts to be able to control the football game.

Atlanta at Green Bay -- Saturday, 8 p.m. ET

	Favre

This is a rematch of a Week 1 game in Green Bay, one the Falcons probably should have won but they had two dropped touchdown passes.

Michael Vick creates a problem for Green Bay. Brett Favre is elusive on grass because defenders can't quite cut and come after, buying him more time. Vick is the same type of quarterback. He may make sudden moves quicker on turf, but everyone else can as well. On grass, his ability to make things happen with his legs will be critical.

The Packers don't lose playoff games at Lambeau Field, but Vick doesn't care and may know nothing about Green Bay's home playoff record. Even if the weather is miserably cold, it will be no big deal because Vick has already played at Lambeau once this season. Plus, Vick can match Favre's arm strength and throws a tight spiral. In fact, Vick and Favre may have the two strongest arms in football.

Favre has the most exciting young receiving corps in football, with Donald Driver, Robert Ferguson and Javon Walker. They have speed and toughness and are playmakers. If I were Favre, I'd be excited about playing another three or four years. But the condition of Driver, who has a bruised right shoulder, will be important. Because the game is Saturday, he loses one day of rehab. Driver is a special player with great hands, but will he be able to use his shoulders and arms to make plays?

People may talk about Driver or Ahman Green or Bubba Franks, but they are only the garnishing. The steak and potatoes for the Packers is Favre. He is always the key. If he throws interceptions, the Packers lose. If he doesn't, they will likely win. That's the game in a nutshell.

Player to watch: Packers DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. He has the speed off the edge to match Vick. He could have two or three sacks and could force a fumble that will sway the game in the Packers' favor. If Vick doesn't protect the ball, that may be all the Pack need.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh -- Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

	Holcomb

I had a chance to talk to the Browns early in the season. When I talked to the Ravens two years ago, they won the Super Bowl. When I talked to the Patriots last year, they won the Super Bowl. I told the Browns, "Don't screw it up -- I'm on a roll right now." And they've kept my streak alive by making the playoffs.

Backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb, not Tim Couch, has been the Cleveland fan favorite all season. And now that Couch is out for the season, the Browns' offense belongs to Holcomb. He has been able to run the offense efficiently. He has to be smart enough to keep himself healthy and stay in the game.

Offensively, the Browns must be able to run the ball, and rookie William Green has turned it on over the last seven games of the season. He finally realizes what he needs to do. Green has breakaway speed, which may be a moot point against the Steelers because their linebackers can run like deer.

Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox had his coming-out party against Cleveland in their first meeting. He has the confidence of his team, especially now that he is a few weeks removed from the severe concussion he suffered. But the Steelers don't intimidate the Browns, who have played them tough twice. In fact, of the Browns' seven losses, six have come by seven points are less. Although Pittsburgh should win the game, nothing is done easily against Cleveland. And how often can one team beat the another team three times in one season?

Player to watch: Holcomb. He can't make mistakes against the Steelers' defense.

NY Giants at San Francisco -- Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET

	Garcia

This is a rematch of the first game of the season, the Thursday night game we did on ESPN. The Giants feel like they played the 49ers well, but Jeff Garcia and the San Francisco offense was nowhere near as efficient as they are now.

The Giants had basically a bunch of guys on their offensive line. In fact, that's what I called them -- "Five Guys." The "Five Guys" (Luke Petitgout, Rich Seubert, Chris Bober, Jason Whittle and Mike Rosenthal) have remained, have come together as a unit and have improved steadily. One way people can see why teams make the playoffs is by looking at the health of the offensive line. Teams with healthy offensive lines play and stay in the playoffs. Behind the Giants' line, Tiki Barber will have to hold onto the football and be critical in both the running and the passing games.

Monday night's game against St. Louis said absolutely nothing about the 49ers. All it told me was the season ended. I take nothing from how the 49ers' starting offense played in the first part of the game. It was like a preseason game, an opportunity to keep players fresh. The 49ers will be ready with all of their weapons: Garcia, Terrell Owens, Garrison Hearst, Tai Streets and Kevan Barlow.

People may think the Giants look like the better team based on how they played at the end of the season, but I wouldn't buy into that. The 49ers are tough at home. At the same time, the field should be wet and sloppy, playing into the hands of the Giants, who are not a fast team.

Player to watch: Giants TE Jeremy Shockey. The 49ers have defensive backs and linebackers who can cover. Shockey should be a great matchup for either linebacker Julian Peterson or safety Tony Parrish. Peterson played well earlier in the season against the Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez, so he knows how to play tight ends.

A game analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Football, former NFL QB Joe Theismann won a Super Bowl and a league MVP award. He reviews the NFL each week for ESPN.com in Cup o' Joe.