Divisional Playoffs-Will It Be The Brady Bunch And TeBye-Bye

I got Tebowed this past weekend. My picks got hammered. Only one of the games out of the four was even close. New Orleans did their thing, Houston rose to the occasion, New York would be likened to a sleeping giant awoken, and Denver just plain and simple outsmarted Pittsburgh. My prediction about Tebow getting slaughtered by the Pittsburgh defense was way off. They couldn't even touch him. The Steelers had zero sacks and zero quarterback hits. Denver's play calling had Pittsburgh tripping over their own feet. Hats off to Tebow and the Broncos.

I don't even know what to say about the Denver at New England game this coming Saturday evening. One thing for sure, Bill Belichick is a master on defensive schemes and will have a plan conjoured up to deal with the Tebow Express. He isn't going to let Denver get away with that little stunt they pulled in overttime against wool-pulled-over-eyes Steelers. On top of it, Denver will be facing an offense that protects its quarterback and has an array of weapons at wide receiver, not leaving out their one-two punch at tight end, Rob Gronkowski. The defense has been New Englands only weakness all year, but the offense fills in the gaps.

New Orleans and San Francisco ended the season with identical records. This will be their first meeting of the year. It's no big secret that you have to take advantage of mistakes when they are handed to you on a silver platter. There has been talk about Brees short stature and being prone to throwing errant passes from time to time because he can't see over the linemen. I think the Saints record speaks for itself. When you throw the ball as much as Brees does the inevitable mistake is bound to creep in, after all, he is still human. He had a record setting year with 46 touchdowns and in the San Fran game it will be more of the same. The 49ers, if they are to win, must win it on defense. Their challenge will be to close off the middle and restrict Brees from moving up from the deep drop in the pocket. Lest we not forget, the Saints have a decent running attack.

Houston and Baltimore is a no brainer, if the Ravens offense shows up. There have been times when Baltimore's offense has struggled to score points. If Ray Rice does his thing, the passing game will follow, because the heat will be off Flacco to win the game on his arm alone. If Houston's defense stuffs the run, then Flacco will be hard pressed by a strong pass rush. The same can be said about Houston's offense with Arian Foster. If Foster does his thing, it will take the heat off of T.J. Yates, but here in lies the difference. Flacco will win over Yates.

The NY Giants and Green Bay Packers will be the game to watch. The Giants are at the top of their game. They had a huge victory against an Atlanta that gambled away their season. A Giants defense that struggled all season stepped up and stuffed their opponent. Ely Manning has been finding his favorite targets for big plays and when things are on the line, seems to come through to keep the game close down to the final minutes. Green Bay's success is attributed to their offense plain and simple. Aaron Rodgers, if he wouldn't have sat out that one game, would have surpassed Brees in touchdowns, easily. Rodgers spreads the ball out nicely, but his big play maker is Jordy Nelson. The Packers defense will have to be wary of the Giants bruising running game and at the same time keep Manning off balance in the passing game.

Which would you rather see-New Orleans verses Green Bay or NY Giants verses San Francisco or a Green Bay verses San Francisco or a NY Giants verses New Orleans NFC Championship? The first shall be last.

SAT, JAN 14                         TIME (ET)      TV       LOCATION
New Orleans at San Francisco 4:30 PM       FOX      Candlestick Park
Denver at New England           8:00 PM       CBS      Gillette Stadium
SUN, JAN 15                        TIME (ET)      TV       LOCATION
Houston at Baltimore               1:00 PM       CBS      M&T Bank Stadium
NY Giants at Green Bay          4:30 PM       FOX      Lambeau Field

Superbowl XLV-Green Bay Packers Take The Trophy

Green Bay looked as though they were going to coast through this game, jumping out to a big lead in the first half 21-10. A dropped pass by Jones on the first set of plays starting the second half and a bad facemask call on the ensuing punt turned the tide of the game in favor of the Steelers, who scored shortly after on a Mendenhall run. Then a fumble by Mendenhall took the steam out of the Steelers surge and the Packers scored a touchdown on a Rodgers to Jennings hookup in the end zone. The Steelers made a quick recovery capping off a drive with Wallace taking in a reception for a touchdown and a successful execution of a two point conversion making it only a three point deficit. Green Bay converted a crucial third down play to extend their next drive that ended with a Crosby field goal. Pittsburgh fell short on their last ditch effort and Green Bay walked away with a 31 to 25 victory and the trophy.

The Steelers played their usual type of game, falling behind early, but never out of it. Considering the Steelers committed three turnovers, they still made it hard on the Packers to walk away with the victory. Ben Roethlisberger committed the majority of the mistakes, throwing two picks. One of them returned for a touchdown. Rashard Mendenhall had some decent runs and scored a touchdown. Mike Wallace was controlled for most of the game, but still managed to take the top spot with 89 yards and a touchdown. Hines Ward was next with 78 yards and one touchdown.

From beginning to end the Packers were committed to the pass. The Steeler defense roughed up Aaron Rodgers, but he prevailed through the adversity with some good numbers. Rodgers threw for 304 yards and was 24-39. Three of his passes were for touchdowns, two of them to Greg Jennings and one to Jordy Nelson. Rodgers numbers would've been even better if it wasn't for the fact that his receivers were plagued with a case of the muffs. Jordy Nelson was Rodgers prime target gathering in 9 catches for 140 yards. Greg Jennings had 4 catches for 64 yards and James Jones had 5 for 50 yards. Green Bay's offense was mistake free and their defense was opportunistic, taking advantage of Roethlisberger's mistakes and forcing a fumble.

Overall it was an entertaining Superbowl. The Green Bay Packers were a sixth seed team that looked like a number one seed and prevailed over everyone else week to week through the playoffs. Either team was worthy of winning, but it was the Packers time and they were not going to be denied their rightful place. By the way, the unforseen occurrence played a significant part and it was wearing the green and gold colors in this one.

Steelers Versus Packers- Who Comes Out On Top

You can make all kinds of comparisons and evaluations when it comes to Steelers versus Packers, but as in any given game the unforeseen occurrence often determines its fate. Case in point, the famous Immaculate Reception by Franco Harris in the AFC divisional playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 23, 1972. Harris snagged a deflected pass just before it hit the ground, and ran in for a touchdown that won the game.

You can execute a play perfectly on both sides of the ball, but often the ball has a mind of its own. I have seen fumbles bounce back into the hands of the person who fumbled it. Hail Marys get blocked by the defending team only to have it fall into the arms of the opposing team for a score. That being said, Pittsburgh and Green Bay execute plays better than most teams.

Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers are a good matchup for the upcoming Superbowl. Season statistics give Rodgers the edge, but only because Roethlisberger missed four games. By comparison, Rodgers is the more accurate passer and a greater threat if he gets past the line on the run, but Roethlisberger has the uncanny ability to slip out of potential sacks and adjust himself to find an open receiver. Rodgers chews up large chunks of realestate with each pass and utilizes the quick slant. Roethlisberger just frustrates a defense into making mistakes because a defense can't keep track of his receivers when he is on the loose.

Rodgers has a diverse receiving squad that can add yards to the initial reception. Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Donald Driver will prove to be handful for the Steeler secondary. The key for the Steeler defense will be to keep Rodgers from getting comfortable in the pocket and prevent him from getting outside. Mike Wallace for the Steelers is always a potential threat for the long ball and Hines Ward has a nose for the goal line. Tightend Heath Miller gives the Steeler offense versatility and Roethlisberger another option when he is on the loose.

The Steelers have an advantage in the running game with Rashard Mendenhall and the Packers defense has shown weakness in that area. The Steelers offense is going to come out firing to soften the secondary and then test the waters for the running game. James Starks for the Packers has shown promise as of late, but the Steelers are tops in defending against the run. The screen pass to Starks will be used frequently to keep the Steeler pass rush honest.

Each team's defense has their standouts. Clay Matthews, Charles Wodson, and Tramon Williams for the Packers. For the Steelers Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, and Lawrence Timmons. Both will do what they do best and that is blitz, blitz, and more blitz.

This is no surprise. The team that executes its plan will win, maybe. With all the bell ringing, pad smacking, helmet hitting contact that will be going on, the unforeseen occurrence may have something to say about the games final outcome. Just follow the bouncing ball.

Green Bay Sneaks Past Philadelphia And Baltimore Steamrolls Kansas City

The very first play of the Green Bay and Philadelphia game set the tone for its final outcome. From start to finish it was the defense of Green Bay that decided who would move on. It began with a sack and ended with an interception. One question lingers. Did Vick go for it all to soon with less than 40 seconds left? You can't falt him for trying to win, but once that ball is released there is no pulling it back. Tramon Williams made a good catch for an interception, game over, Packers win 21-16. Baltimore just plain set the tone in their confrontation with Kansas City. Once again it was defense, defense, and more defense. Kansa City turned the ball over five times as a result, three of them Matt Cassel interceptions. Flacco got the job done on offense. Baltimore wins persuasively 30-7.

Aaron Rodgers spread the ball around like cream cheese on a warm bagel. He made use of nine different receivers. Jones and Jennings were not his primary targets in this one, it was old veteran Donald Driver and a host of others. Rodgers only accumulated 180 total yards, but made good use of every yard, throwing for three touchdowns. Rookie James Starks ran for 123 yards to balance out the Packer's offensive attack. On the other side, Michael vick did plenty enough to win the game, throwing for a touchdown and running one in. Unfortunately, it was the one errant pass at the end that sealed the Eagles fate, coutesy the defense of the Packers.

Joe Flacco completed 25 passes out of 34 attempts. You would have to say that is a pretty good ratio. Todd Heap was his main target hauling in 10 of those passes for 108 yards. The two touchdowns Flacco threw went to Ray Rice and Anquan Boldin, who made an excellent catch in the middle end zone. Rice and McGahee shared the running assigments combining for 101 yards. McGahee's longest was a 25 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, putting an exclamation point on the game. Matt Cassel took it one the chin and just about everywhere else on his body. He was stung for three picks and sacked three times. Jamaal Charles scored the Chiefs only touchdown and that is pretty much it. It was all Baltimore defense.

Green Bay moves on to play Atlanta. They met once in the regular season where the Falcons won in a close game. They will faceoff on Saturday at 8:00 PM. Don't miss this one. Anytime Baltimore and Pittsburgh get together it's going to be a headbanger. Division rivals who ended the regular season with the same win-loss record and Baltimore has a score to settle. Each of their previous confrontations were low scoring and decided by three points. I hope their is plenty of snow on Saturday at 4:30 PM. It would make it all the more interesting. Football and the elements, good old fashion fun the way it was meant to be.

History In The Making-Seahawks Win Big And Colts Just Lose

It was a great start to the Wild and Wooly-Card Weekend. The 7-9 Seattle Seahawks rocked the football world by taking out the New Orlean Saints 41-36. The Seahawks defied all logic. They not only won, but did it convincingly. If that wasn't enough irony, Peyton Manning stood helplessly on the sidelines as the Jets methodically moved down the field in the closing minute. The camera honed in on Manning and then the field of play where Edwards made a sensational catch to seal the Colts fate. All that was left to do was for Nick Folk to put it through the uprights for a 17-16 win, which he did with no time on the clock.

The Seahawks are changing the record books and making history. I guess the statement, "It's tough for a visiting team to win at Qwest Field," is true. Matt Hasselbeck outmatched Drew Brees with four touchdown passes to one and he did it with almost half the attempts. Brees threw the ball sixty times in desparation to Hasselbeck's thirty-five. It was one of Hasselbeck's best performances. Marshall Lynch was held to 55 yds of running going into the fourth quarter and then it happened. Lynch broke free for a 67 yard scamper and his only touchdown of the day. The video will be watched time and time again by Seahawk fans for days to come. He ended up with a total of 131 yards for the day. Seattle's tightend, John Carlson, had only three catches, but two of them were for pay dirt. Stokely and Williams accumulated most of the reception yardage and each had a touchdown.

You could see the agony on Peyton Manning's face after the game ended with the Colts on the short end of the stick. Manning is a true competitor, who doesn't like to accept anything short of perfection. There isn't much offense to talk about in this one. Manning had a decent game, although not one you would usually expect when Manning takes the field. He was 18-26 totaling 225 yards and only one touchdown toss. The rest of the Colts points came on Adam Vinatieri field goals. The offensive highlights came late in the game after the Colts took a two-point advantage. Antonio Cromartie returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards. The ball was now in the hands of Mark Sanchez. He completed four passes to bring the Jets into Folk's range, but that was not enough. A final pass went in the direction of Braylon Edwards, an ex-Cleveland Brown, going down the right side, who adjusted his stride and leaped into the air to make a spectacular catch. From there it was easy for Folk to put it through the uprights with no time left. Jets win, Colts lose.

Well, that's two picks wrong so far. I wrote in my previous article, "If the Seahawks win, I am taking them to go to the Superbowl." Looks like I am locked in on this one. If the Seahawks play like they did against the Saints, there is no stopping them. Although, the next game won't be at Qwest Field. As for the Jets, I still don't know what to make of them. They will face ex-Cleveland Browns coach Bill Belichick's Patriots next.

Steelers Steal the Show At Cleveland Browns Stadium-Obliterate Browns 41-9

When Roethlisberger hooked up with Mike Wallace for a 56 yard touchdown on their very first play on offense, it was all over. Did you expect it to end any differently? The Steelers just flat out annihilated the Browns. Before the pizza was done and you could pop the tab on another beer it was 31-3. If Roethlisberger would have played a full second half, the final score could have ended much worse than 41-9. By then a fair number of fans had long left the house, except for the yellow and black jerseys. The Steelers took the division and the No. 2 Seed position with a bye going into this week.

Colt McCoy had to feel like he was hit by a freight train. Sacked four times and picked off three times, it was his worse outing of his short season. He completed 20 passes out of 41 attempts for a total of 209 yards. McCoy did have more rushing yards than his partner Peyton Hillis, but that is nothing to brag on. Hillis could only eek out a total of 13 yards on 6 carries. Mike Bell accounted for another 14 yards on 5 carries. That's pretty much it with the offense, a total of 225 yards. Joshua cribbs was for the most part missing from the action. Certainly not the way Dawson wanted to make his exit seeing it was his last game as a Brown.

On the otherhand, the Steelers came out firing. The Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Wallace tandem is a deadly combination going into the playoffs and their next opponents will have to reckon with it. Wallace accumulated 105 yards in receptions, a 56 yard catch for a touchdown was the highlight. Roethlisberger spread the wealth around to his receivers very effectively while he was on the field completing 15 passes for 280 yards. Rashard Mendenhall didn't have a major impact with 36 yards on 14 carries, but still accounted for two of the Steelers four touchdowns.

The Browns ended the season with alot of questions lingering. More than likely Man-Hougini will not return. The offense still lacks the ability to go vertical with a quick strike potential. The running game literally lost its steam. The missing-from-the-offense Joshua Cribbs remains a mystery. Who will be their next place kicker? Finally and not least of all, when will the Browns finally put it all together and set a winner on the field once again? Should I dare say it? The two words Brown's fans have pinned all their hopes on losing year after losing year? Okay, I will say it, "Next year." Let's enjoy the playoffs in the mean time.

Week 17 NFL Picks-Will A losing Record Go To The Playoffs

Garrard was looking like a winner after he scampered 20 yds into the end zone taking the game into overtime, but alittle over a minute into the extra quarter he threw an inexcusable lame duck right into the hands of washington's Kevin Barnes that ended up on the Jag's 14, loser. I wrote that Peyton Manning should run with the ball and sure enough he did. It was the strangest thing to watch. What was even stranger? The fact that he slid to the ground just two yards from a score. Go figure. With the Jags loss the Colts are division winners. The Jets, having long used up their nine lives, suffered another loss at the hands of the Bears in a shoot out, but are still barely breathing thanks to the Jags. Baltimore whipped the Browns and can only hope the Browns can whip the Steelers this week. Chuckle, chuckle. Drew Brees over came two early interceptions and out lasted the Falcons in Atlanta. Michael Vick showed he was human afterall as the Vikings lashed the Eagles.

The final week of regular season has arrived. The playoff picture is much more clearer. New England has peaked at the right time and look strong going into the playoffs with home field advantage. Miami this Sunday will only be a warm up for the Patriots, but it is crucial they maintain their edge with a bye the first week of playoffs. Atlanta, barring any unforeseen occurrence, should have no problem with Carolina. New Orleans is hosting Tampa Bay, which favors the Saints if Brees can stay away from making the crucial mistakes that nearly did him in against the Falcons, but was able to overcome, fortunately. Tennessee is weak against the pass, which plays into the Colts strength, the Peyton Manning led offense. It was fun seeing Peyton run with the ball, something entirely unexpected, certainly by his opponents. Chicago at Green Bay should prove to be a bruising divisional game with nothing on the line except pride. Aaron Rodgers stuff will be tested against the Bears defense and vica versa.

There are four divisions undecided going into this week. Two of them are the AFC North and the big one, the NFC West, battle of the losing records. Pittsburgh at Cleveland, Cincinnati at Baltimore, and St. Louis at Seattle are the games of the week and winner will take all. Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu is listed as unlikely to play and with him out the Steelers are a different team. Colt McCoy was very shacky against Baltimore's defense and Hillis took some hits that left him ineffective. The Browns need to get Joshua Cribbs back into the game to increase their chances of pulling off a surprise at home, no matter how remote that appears to be at present. Sunday's weather doesn't look to be a factor other than cold. If the Browns can control the run and break up the Roethlisberger to Wallace combination their chances will increase. Good luck with that Cleveland.

Baltimore needs to be on their toes with Cincinnati, a lesson learned by the flatfooted Chargers. The Ravens defense can hold the Bengals offense in check, but their offense behind Flacco will have to excercise ball control to keep it out of Palmer's hands. That is where Ray Rice comes in. If Rice has a good game it will balance out Flacco, who is more than capable of moving his team through the air. The "Old cleveland Browns" will be pulling for a "New Cleveland Browns" victory over the Steelers. It's a strange world we live in.

Everyone will be watching St. Louis take on Seattle. If Seattle wins they will take the division with a losing record. If St. Louis wins they will have an 8-8 record going into the playoffs. Matt Hasselbeck is injured and is unlikely to start, which means Charlie Whitehurst is in, but Hasselbeck says not to count him out yet. The Seahawks have been clobbered the past three games. The Rams advantage is Steven Jackson. Sam Bradford is a mover and the Seahawks defense gives up alot of points. Bradford needs to stay away from mistakes and it will be a wrap. Anyways, neither team looks to go far in the playoffs.

 

SUN, JAN 2 TIME (ET)

Carolina 15 at 24 Atlanta 1:00 PM FOX W

Georgia Dome

Pittsburgh 28 at Cleveland 21 1:00 PM CBS W

Cleveland Browns Stadium

Minnesota 24 at Detroit 25 1:00 PM FOX W

Ford Field

Oakland 23 at Kansas City 21 1:00 PM CBS  W

Arrowhead Stadium

Miami 18 at New England 34 1:00 PM CBS W

Gillette Stadium

Tampa Bay 20 at New Orleans 30 1:00 PM FOX L

Superdome

Buffalo 27 at NY Jets 28 1:00 PM CBS W

New Meadowlands Stadium

Cincinnati 20 at Baltimore 24 1:00 PM CBS W

M&T Bank Stadium

Jacksonville 23 at Houston 20 4:15 PM CBS L

Reliant Stadium

NY Giants 27 at Washington 18 4:15 PM FOX W

FedEx Field

Dallas 23 at Philadelphia 30 4:15 PM FOX L

Lincoln Financial Field

Arizona 21 at San Francisco 20 4:15 PM FOX L

Candlestick Park

Chicago 24 at Green Bay 27 4:15 PM FOX W

Lambeau Field

Tennessee 17 at Indianapolis 36 4:15 PM CBS W

Lucas Oil Stadium

San Diego 27 at Denver 20 4:15 PM CBS W

Invesco Field at Mile High

St. Louis 23 at Seattle 24 8:20 PM NBC W

Qwest F

Vikings and Jets Move on to the Championships

Brett Favre proved you are only as old as you feel and right now he's got to be feeling pretty youthful. Favre threw four touchdowns and the Minnesota Vikings destroyed the Dallas Cowboys 34-3. The Viking defense took the ball away and the offense put it away. Near the end of the game the Cowboys were incensed about the Vikings running up the score. The whole idea of playing is to score when you have the ball and that is what the Vikings did, they played the game. The game is played for 60 minutes and you give it all you got until the final second. Someone give the Cowboys a "Tearable Towel".

Brett Favre was magnificent and played one of his best games of the year. He didn't rack up the yards, he didn't need to because the defense gave him great field position and he was pinpoint perfect in taking advantage of it. Sidney Rice was Favre's prime target and had a career day scoring three touchdowns with a total of 141 yds. Adrian Peterson had 63 yds on 26 carries.

No mercy was shown. The Vikings defense ripped the offensive line of Dallas apart and frustrated Tony Romo. They forced Romo to fumble two times and picked off one of his passes. The defense also had six sacks and ten quarterback hits. Romo was only permitted 198 yds total and the running attack of Dallas was controlled.

A somewhat uneventful game between the Jets and the Chargers ended with the Jets winning by the score of 17-14. The backbreaker for the Chargers was Shonn Greene's 53 yd run for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Nate Kaeding shot them in the foot missing three field goal attempts. The Chargers just could not excecute in a game they should have won. What topped the game off was the decision by Turner to onside kick when there was enough time left to stop the Jets and force a punt in their own half of the field if the Chargers had kicked it down field. You can't say with certainty what might have happened, but it would have been the smarter thing to do.

NY Jets play Indianapolis for the American Football Conference Championship. Minnesota will be playing New Orleans for the National Football Conference Championship. One more weekend of Conference Championships and the Superbowl will be set with its opponents identified.

Saints and Colts Move on to the Championships

Mad Louisiana Superdome, two teams enter, one team moves on. The New Orleans Saints move on in the playoffs after dismantling the Arizona Cardinals both offensively and defensively. Ater Hightower took the first play of the first series 70 yds for a touchdown, the Saints answered with a touchdown of their own, and there was no looking back. The Cardinals were looking at the backs of the Saints runners and receivers as they crossed the goal line. The final score was Saints over the Cardinals 45-14.

Where do you begin with the Saints. It was a full team effort. No one player stood out statistically. If you were to pick out the player of the game, it would be Reggie Bush. Bush put out an outstanding rushing effort with 84 yds on 5 carries and a touchdown, but it was his 83 yd punt return for a touchdown that made him the standout player of the game. Drew Brees did not rack up the yardage as he usually does in the passing department, but he was very efficient with the 247 yds he spread around the field to his various receivers. Colston, Henderson, and Shockey were all recipients of Brees passes for touchdowns.

The Saints defense shut down the could-have-been potent Cardinal offense as they harassed Kurt Warner and  stifled the running game after the Hightower run. The defense only had one sack and three quarterback hits, but with superb pass coverage, they disrupted Warner and his receivers enough to keep them off balance.

Indianapolis defeated Baltimore 20-3 in the night game. There were no real individual standouts in this game. Peyton Manning had 246 yards on 30 completions out of 44 attempts and two touchdowns. Manning spread his passes among seven different receivers. Joseph Addai had only 23 yds on 11 carries. Wayne and Collie each had a touchdown off Peyton passes. A fairly decent effort for the Colt offense.

The Colts defense kept the Ravens offense in check. Joe Flacco had only 189 yds on 23 completions and was picked off two times by the Colts secondary. Ray Rice had 67 yds on 13 carries and 60 yds on 9 receptions, but was unable to cross the goal line. The Colts defense shut out the Ravens in two red zone attempts and went away with one field goal for their efforts.

Saints and Colts move on to the next level in the Playoffs and it looks like the road to the Superbowl is running through New Orleans and Indianapolis at this point. We will see what happens today in the Dallas at Minnesota and NY Jets at San Diego games. I am not yet fully convinced Dallas has what it takes to get past the Vikings and San Diego has to get over the mountain of falling short in the Playoffs after they beat the Jets, who have not matured enough for this level of play

Picture: No doubt that Reggie Wayne crossed the plain of the goal line.

The Second Week Of Playoffs And My Picks

I was one hundred percent wrong last week with my picks. NY jets just plain outplayed Cincinnati, Dallas Cowboys dominated Philadelphia for the second week in a row, Tom Brady and the Patriots fell flat on their you know what against Baltimore, and Green Bay against Arizona was a nail biter with the Cardinals clipping the Packers in overtime. Its anybody's game from here on out and these are my picks for this weekend.

Arizona at New Orleans will be the first game on Saturday. Will this be the break out game for the Saints after faultering the last few weeks of regular season? Hopefully the Saints will have their game faces on. The Cardinals pass cover defense was shredded by Rodgers and if that was an indication of a weakness, it will be exploited by the potentially explosive Saints offense and master of disaster, Drew Brees. Kurt Warner will have to match pass for pass or its lights out, which probably will be the case in the Superdome.

Baltimore looked good against New England, but that is where it will end, that is, in Indianapolis. The key for Baltimore will be to coral Peyton Manning, if that is possible, but highly unlikely. Nobody could do it all season. Too many weapons at Manning's disposal complimented by the running of Joseph Addai. The only weakness Indianapolis has is the defense. Baltimore has a weapon of it's own in Ray Rice. Ball control can keep a quarterback like Manning off the field. That will be the Ravens task, keep the ball out of Manning's hands. Good luck Baltimore, but I don't believe in luck.

This is it, the big game of the week, Dallas at Minnesota. I have not been a believer in Dallas, but the past two weeks have changed things. Dallas looks cool, calm, and collected. They are comfortable with themselves and what they can do. Miles Austin had completed a fantastic season and carried it into the playoffs. Whitten and Austin are Romo's primary targets, but as seen by last week's game, will sneak a pass to one of his other receivers. If Jones has a repeat in the running department, it will make Romo's job easier. The Vikings are going to have to stuff the run and rattle Romo. For the Vikings, we know what Favre and Peterson can do. Weather not a factor here. Going to be a close game.

NY Jets at San Diego, the final game of the week. The NY Jets I think will be in over their heads with this one, but what do I know, I thought the Bengals were going to beat them. The Chargers have been in this situation plenty of times and are a experienced playoff team. The Jets and Sanchez have proven they are good, but aren't ready for this. Philip Rivers is a 4000 yd plus passer, Sanchez is not. The Jets only hope is Thomas Jones and the defense. Thomlinson is a well balanced back, if the run game isn't there, he is a good receiver. Throw a Jackson and a Gates into the mix and the Chargers can score quickly and at will.

SAT, JAN 16 TIME (ET)
Arizona 27 at New Orleans 34 4:30 PM FOX Tickets W
Superdome
Baltimore 18 at Indianapolis 30 8:15 PM CBS Tickets W
Lucas Oil Stadium
SUN, JAN 17 TIME (ET)
Dallas 24 at Minnesota 27 1:00 PM FOX Tickets W
Metrodome
NY Jets 20 at San Diego 37 4:40 PM CBS Tickets L
Qualcomm Stadium