Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7) Sat. 4:30 p.m.
This is the one game this weekend that epitomizes the parity of the NFL and goes to show you why fans and players of any team goes into a season with high hopes of success. Both the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals have been through some tough times. Everyone not living in a black hole has heard of the problems former Falcons franchise QB Michael Vick has had, and by extension, what the Falcons have had to deal with recently. But with the hiring of a capable rookie head coach that the players adore (Mike Smith), the signing of a power back that was more than worth every penny (Michael Turner) and the drafting of a rookie QB (Matt Ryan) who is playing far above what anyone would expect of him in his inaugural season; the NFC’s hottest team (winners of three straight) are defying expectations and are back in the playoffs
The Arizona Cardinals have defied a history of underachieving and have fought their way to their first NFC West crown since 1975 and their first playoff appearance in ten years. They have done it behind the resurgence of two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner and the Dynamic Duo receiving core of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Credit has to be given, also, to coach Ken Whisenhunt since joining the organization in 2007 has instilled a winning attitude and sense of purpose to his teams.
Indianapolis Colts (12-4) at San Diego Chargers (8-8) Sat. 8:15 p.m.
You have to look beyond the records in this game. The Chargers may be the most dangerous 8-8 team ever after winning 4 straight and pounding the Denver Broncos 52-21 to win the AFC South. They seem to be clicking at just the right time and with the added bonus of hosting this playoff game, are not a team to easily dismiss.
The Indianapolis Colts, on the other hand, are the NFL’s hottest team, having won 9 straight games behind proven vet and NFV MVP favorite QB Peyton Manning. Despite being favorites in this game, the Colts aren’t going to take the Chargers lightly. The Chargers, if you recall, were the team that knocked Indy out of the playoffs last season in the Divisional round game at the RCA Dome.
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Miami Dolphins (11-5) Sun. 1:00 p.m.
From worst to first, the Miami Dolphins have done the impossible. They went from a 1-15 team last season to the AFC East Champs at 11-5. How did they do it? With the pick-up of a solid signal-caller in QB Chad Pennington and with an offense that always keep you guessing. But the question in my mind is will they have the intensity they will need to overcome a solid Baltimore team or will they just be happy to have made the playoffs? I guess we’ll find out Sunday.
The Baltimore Ravens have found anew the formula that gave them their 2000 SuperBowl victory over the giants. Smart quarterback play, a strong running game, and a punishing, smothering defense. Led by rookie QB Joe Flacco, who like Matt Ryan, has played above his years, gives the Ravens a boost at the key position that they haven’t had since they idiotically dumped Trent Dilfer after the SuperBowl win. And that may be the key behind what is perhaps the most dangerous team in the playoffs. Trust me, nobody wants to play the Ravens right now.
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6) 4:30 p.m.
Who’d have thought that after being benched against Baltimore and playing in the uber-competitive NFC East that Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles would be in the playoffs? Of course, a lot of credit has to go to the collapse of both the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers but you can’t take away what the Eagles have done under the amount of adversity they’ve been facing. This team is primed and equipped to go deep into the playoffs. They have the perfect combination of an efficient, sometimes explosive offense and a smothering D that will keep them in the game.
The Minnesota Vikings can do the two things you need to do to be successful in January; they can run the ball (Adrian Peterson: 1760 yds, 10 tds) and stop the run (76.9 yds a game). Their only question mark is the man taking the snaps, QB Tarvaris Jackson, who was benched at the beginning of the season only to come back into the starting line-up after the man who replaced him, Gus Frerotte, went down to injury. His effectiveness will be the key to whether the Vikings can make it out of the first round.
Game of The Week:Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers
This game should be what every fan loves to see, an offensive shoot-out between two teams that don’t care much for each other. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 60 or more points put up between the two of them.
Wild-Card Pick ‘Em
Atlanta at Arizona: Cardinals over the Falcons 31-24
Indy at San Diego:Colts over the Chargers 34-31
Baltimore at Miami: Ravens over the Dolphins 17-13
Philadelphia at Minnesota: Eagles over the Vikings 24-13
