Boston College Fan Rooting Guide For 2013 NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend

The 2012 NFL regular season is over and the playoff matchups have been set. Boston College isn't as well represented as it has been in past postseasons, but there are still a few former Eagles ties to this year's NFL Playoffs. If, like me, you team failed to make this year's postseason, here is your Superfan rooting guide to the NFL Playoffs.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

AFC: No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) at No. 3 Houston Texans (12-4), 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

This is a rematch of last year's 3 vs. 6 Wild Card matchup. This year, it's the third seeded Texans who are limping into the postseason having lost three of their final four games after starting the year 11-1. Neither team boasts any Boston College players on the active roster. Rooting interest: Pick 'em.

NFC: No. 6 Minnesota Vikings (10-6) at No. 3 Green Bay Packers (11-5), 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

This All NFC North Wild Card matchup pits the 10-6 Vikings against the 11-5 Packers. The Eagles are represented a pair of Green Bay defenders -- linebacker Robert Francois ('08) and defensive tackle B.J. Raji ('08). Francois was a four-year letterman at BC, appearing in 52 games and registering 201 tackles. Raji started three years, finishing with 105 tackles (59 solo), 12 1/2 sacks and 32 1/2 tackles for loss, though he missed the 2007 season due to academic eligibility issues. What could have been. Rooting interest: Discount double check!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

AFC: No. 5 Indianapolis Colts (11-5) at No. 4 Baltimore Ravens (10-6), 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

How lucky are the Colts? After dumping Payton Manning, rookie QB Andrew Luck has led Indianapolis back to the playoffs with an 11-5 overall record. Both the Colts and the Ravens are represented by a former Eagle. Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo is repping the Colts, while the Ravens are represented by former Eagles linebacker Ricky Brown. Castonzo has started in 28 games for the Colts over two seasons after getting selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Brown, unfortunately, is on the Ravens' injured/reserve roster so advantage Colts. Rooting interest: Indianapolis.

NFC: No. 5 Seattle Seahawks (11-5) at No. 4 Washington Redskins (10-6), 4:30 p.m. ET (Fox)

The final game of the weekend features two more rookie QBs in N.C. State Wisconsin's Russell Wilson (Seattle) and Baylor's Robert Griffin III. Neither team features a Boston College player on the roster so this one is up to you. I will not be rooting for the Redskins, FWIW. Rooting Interest: Pick'em.

Of the teams that received first round byes, BC's rooting interests lie with the Atlanta Falcons (QB Matt Ryan) and the Denver Broncos (C Dan Koppen). Neither the 49ers nor the Patriots have any current Boston College players on the roster. Sorry, Pats fans.

Gooooo Packers / Colts / Falcons / Broncos!