Saturday, January 3, 4:30 p.m. ET
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (9-7)
This a classic match up between a team that loves to run the ball -- the Atlanta Falcons -- and a team that lives to throw the ball, the Arizona Cardinals.
The big problem for the Cardinals is that the team clinched the putrid NFC West weeks ago. With nothing on the line, the Cards didn't look anything like a playoff team the last month of the season, finishing with a 2-4 record. Meanwhile, the Falcons stunned the NFL with the way they played and go into the playoffs winners of three games in a row and look like a tough opponent.
With Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin to throw to, Kurt Warner will keep tossing the ball downfield until he thinks the Falcons' secondary can stop him. Fitzgerald is 6'3 and 220 pounds. Boldin is over six-feet and 217 pounds. The Falcons cornerbacks are at a distinct height and weight disadvantage when matching up against the Cardinals receivers. The Cards love to throw and playing on their beautiful turf at the University of Phoenix Stadium, the conditions will be ideal.
With the Cardinals throwing the ball so much, that means the left side of its offensive line will have to tangle with Falcons sack master John Abraham all day long. Abraham quietly had an impressive 16.5 sacks season and I am quite sure will cause the Cards all sorts of pass protection issues. Warner needs to time to set up and see which one of his stud receivers is open. Warner is 37-years-old with a lot of mileage on his body. He doesn't respond well to getting rushed and smacked around in the pocket. The Cards running game is mediocre when you compare it to the Falcons.
Young Matt Ryan, the NFL's offensive rookie of the year, will have no problems feeding the ball to running back Michael Turner all day. Since coming over from the Chargers as a free agent, Turner ran for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns. If and when Ryan decide to throw the ball, his first choice will be No. 84, Roddy White. With 'Matty Ice' throwing him the ball, White emerged as one of the top receivers in the NFL in 2008.
Incredible stat: This is the Cardinals first home playoff games since 1947. That is right, 1947. Back then, the Cardinals franchise was based in Chicago.
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Who wins: The seeds to this victory were planted back in April when Falcons GM, and former Guelph Gryphon, Thomas Dimitroff Junior drafted quarterback Matt Ryan and offensive tackle Sam Baker in the first round. That, and the addition of Michael Turner, completely turned the Falcons franchise around and helped them erase the bitter memories of Michael Vick.
This Saturday, all of Dimitroff's efforts will pay off.
Sunday, January 4, 4:30 p.m. ET
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
This is an intriguing match up between two teams that didn't look to have a chance at the post-season six weeks ago.
Adrian Peterson is sure to bring out the best in the Eagles defence. Peterson won the NFL's rushing title and has proven time and time again that he is capable of turning a two-yard gain into a 65-yard touchdown at any time.
The Vikings big question mark is what kind of performance they will get out of quarterback Tavaris Jackson. Two weeks ago, Jackson had a miserable game against the Falcons. Last week against the Giants he had a much better game. If Jackson can hang onto the ball and make some smart throws, the Vikings will be tough to beat. What is not a question mark for Brad Childress and the Vikings is its running game. Peterson led the NFL in rushing and seems to be getting more dangerous every week. Leading the way for Peterson is a huge and talented offensive line. Guard Steve Hutchinson and Tackle Bryant McKinnie form a 648 pound wall along the left side of the Vikings offensive line for Peterson to run behind. The over looked key element in the Vikings offence is receiver Bernard Berrian. Since coming over from the Bears, Berrian became a bona fide deep threat for Minnesota. In fact, at just over 20 yards per catch, Berrian has the best yards per catch numbers of any starting receiver still alive in the playoffs.
Getting mammoth defensive tackle Pat Williams back will be a big help for the Vikes defensive line. Williams was a big reason the Vikings led the entire NFL in run defence. The Eagles were fourth in the NFL in run defence. The wild card on the Vikings defence is defensive end Jared Allen. Signed as a free agent from the Chiefs, Allen fought through knee and shoulder injuries to have a huge season rushing the quarterback. Allen also brings a certain swagger to the Vikings defence.
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| Adrian Peterson will be involved in a track meet with his opponent, Brian Westbrook. (Getty) |
For all the criticism levied against McNabb and head coach Andy Reid, they deserve all the credit in the world for never giving up and making it to the post-season. McNabb isn't as young as he used to be, but he can still make plays when he has to. Rookie receiver DeSean Jackson has made some bone headed plays this year and he has made some spectacular plays. The Eagles defence are famous for their multiple blitz packages. I see no reason why the Eagles won't keep blitzing Jackson until the Vikings prove they can either stop it or counter it.
Who wins: McNabb and Westbrook will do their share of damage. The Eagles defence will make their share of plays. But this is Peterson's coming out party. This is where A.P. takes control of a game on a grand stage and announces his presence as the premier running back in the NFL with authority.
With their offensive line coming together to have a big game, the Vikings win a tough one and live to play another day.
