It’s hard to remember a time where the start of the playoffs floated lower under the radar. Yes, America’s icon/punching bag Timmy Tebow is in the playoffs (albeit by default since the Raiders stink), and you’ve got one New York team in (even if it’s not the exciting loud mouthed one).  And yeah, one team is playing in the postseason for the first time while another is dancing past week 17 for the first time since 1999.  Yet all of that does nothing to disguise the fact that there’s a very forgettable element to this first slate of NFL playoff games which begin on Saturday at 4:30PM ET on NBC.

The starpower… it’s, not, really, there.  The Bengals and Texans will open the weekend in arguably the least star-studded matchup in the history of WildCard Weekend. I’d like to say I’m exaggerating, but honestly, is it really that big of a stretch?  The Bengals, while a nice story, were such a no-name team that their fans couldn’t be bothered to show up for most of their home games (And that’s after Cincy got off to a big start).  Then the Bengals had their chance to prove their worth and failed twice to both Pittsburgh and Baltimore.  While Andy Dalton is a nice player (and a big–time candidate for Rookie of the Year) he’s not box-office good.  A.J. Green has had a fabulous season as well, but his name doesn’t carry the same clout as say, a Larry Fitzgerald.

The Texans come into this one with their 3rd stringer, T.J. Yates nursing an injury, and Jake Delhomme in the backdrop. Despite a huge 10-3 start, the Texans crumbled down the stretch dropping their final 3, including a dumbfounding defeat at then winless Indianapolis. It’s hard to take anyone that loses to the Colts seriously. Give me the Bengals in the No-Name Bowl brought to you by (anybody, anybody?)

Detroit at New Orleans should be a fun game, but c’mon, does anyone really think the Lions can pull this upset?  This feels eerily similar to their Thanksgiving matchup with the then undefeated Packers, a game people were amped up about.  But then it started and the Lions got knocked off their game early and were knocked out rather quick.  The Lions are an explosive team when Matthew Stafford is clicking on all cylinders, but they’re a 1 dimensional team.  Unlike Arizona of a few years ago, they don’t have Kurt Warner either. I expect this game to start out fast, with the Lions being left behind midway in the third quarter. Saints by double digits.

Falcons at Giants

The Falcons and Giants has snooze button written all over it. The Falcons were clobbered by the Saints with a chance to put the division race in question, and though they responded by pasting listless Tampa Bay, they’ve been underwhelming this year as a whole.  While they possess the potential to put up big numbers their consistency is bothersome, and while Matt Ryan is a very good QB, he’s not a great one.  On the other side is the Giants, who have garnered a lot of Super Bowl/deep playoff run love after dispatching the underachieving Cowboys in their winner take all NFC Clash.  Before their win over the Jets even the best sports books didn’t have New York going anywhere.  Then, they beat a pair of two perfectly mediocre (and apparently over-rated teams and they’re the greatest thing since sliced bread?) No doesn’t work that way.

While the Giants have potential they tend to play worse at home for some weird reason.  People are hanging on to that Super Bowl win over the Pats in Glendale as evidence that this team can do it again.  I’m just not buying the hype. They’re two markedly different teams, but I do like the play of Eli Manning this year, and Victor Cruz, my goodness. That said, I like the Giants by a touchdown or less.

Steelers at Broncos

And then there’s Tebow.  I mean Steelers-Broncos, in the game that could undo all the good that Tebow put together this year, in the whackiest individual season for a player I can ever recall.  From 7-1 and Mile High Messiah to 0-3 and Mile High Goodbye-ah? Tebow’s weaknesses are well documented, as are his intangibles, but the Steelers are a different animal.  They’re a seasoned post-season group that is used to success and can win anywhere. Hurt Big Ben or not, the Steelers are superior to the plucky Broncos, who looked atrocius on offense in their sad 7-3 loss to Kansas City.  Besides Tebow plays better on the road anyways, and Denver is at home this week. I know Seattle shocked the champs last year, but they had Matt Hasselbeck, who’s been there and done that.  The Broncos have an offensive debacle and a system that makes 1940s football look fast.  This one might be close for a quarter or two, but Pittsburgh only seems to struggle versus Cleveland for some reason. The Broncos have orange too, but they’re not bringing it back full time till next season.  I’ll take the Steelers in a rout.