Below, we explore what should happen in this week's NFL games. Of course, in the NFL, only half of what should happen actually does happen, but playing the percentages gives you the best chance of winning. Remember, think twice before benching a stud based on match-ups! We list the Vegas odds spread in parentheses and the Over/Under number in brackets.

Ask a question about your lineup in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.

SUNDAY EARLY

Baltimore @ New England (-3) [43]

This is easily the most intriguing game of Wild Card weekend. What effect will Wes Welker's absence have on the Patriots' offense? Well, in the two games that Welker missed earlier this season, the Patriots' offense seemed very mortal. Can we expect a very un-Highlander like offense on the field this week? Maybe not. Welker was just a week removed from injury in the team's first match-up and didn't do too much to contribute to the victory. He finished the day with a very pedestrian 6 catches for 48 yards. Only two were for first downs. The once dominant Ravens' secondary has been mired in a cloud of banality this season. Baltimore has been victimized by the deep ball all year long. While they have one of the better pass defense by the stats, a closer look will reveal the numerous pass interference penalties the Ravens have taken, taking many big plays out of the box score. So Julian Edleman should be able to mask the absence of Welker for at least one week. The Pats will rely on Randy Moss to get himself open over the top, or at least draw a flag.

While the Pats should be fine on offense, it is really the defense that raises concerns. The Week Four match-up between these teams could have just as easily gone the Ravens way if it weren't for an untimely drop by Mark Clayton towards the end of the game (thanks for the refresh, NFL replay). The Ravens' passing game may not be the beacon of consistency, but Joe Flacco and his speedy cadre of receivers can beat you deep. This is where the Pats struggle mightily -- just think back to the their humiliation at the Superdome. The primary goal of Patriots safeties' will be to limit the impact of the Baltimore rushing attack, ranked 5th in the for the season and 2nd of all playoff teams. New England will have to stack the box to make sure the Ravens cannot do what they want -- which is to pound the ball with Rice and McGahee. Bill Belichick has a long history of taking away what a team does best on offense, but keeping a safety in the box will allow Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Kelley Washington to get one-on-one coverage on the outside. It only takes one or two of these plays to turn the momentum of the game.

This is truly a game that can go either way, so expect it to come down to the wire. The Patriots are 8-0 at Foxborough this season, which makes it pretty difficult to bet against them. The Ravens have played close games all season long and have been consistently let down towards the end of games. Of the Ravens' seven losses this season, six have come against teams that are currently in the playoffs. Their only win against a playoff team came back in week two, when the Chargers were still unaware that the preseason was over. The game will be close, and higher scoring than people will think, but the Patriots' wealth of playoff experience will be enough to let them suffer the shaming the Chargers will put on them next week.

NE 31, BAL 27 (Pick: New England -3, over 43) 

Again, ask a question about your lineup in our FORUM. Leave a comment about this article down below.