AFC
#3 Miami Dolphins vs #6 Baltimore Ravens
From 1-15 to a AFC East Champions, the Miami Dolphins look to continue their incredible turnaround season. Baltimore fired coach Brian Billick in the offseason and hired a darkhorse coach in John Harbaugh. Harbaugh put his faith in a rookie QB in Joe Flacco and it has worked wonderfully. Baltimore still has the dominating defense that should limit what Miami can do offensively. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams ! will have difficulty running the ball, so I expect to see some crazy plays and a ton of the Wildcat formation. Chad Pennington has done a great job at QB and I think he has a solid game. The difference to me is the rookie QB Joe Flacco. If Flacco plays well and limits turnovers, then Baltimore should win. But, I see Flacco struggling and the Miami defense forcing multiple turnovers. The Miami Dolphins are the pick.
#4 San Diego Chargers vs #5 Indianapolis Colts
The two hottest teams in the NFL m! atchup o n a Saturday night showdown. The Colts have won 9 straight games to finish 12-4, while the Chargers became the first team to start 4-8 and make the playoffs. Peyton Manning was named MVP today and I expect him to come out throwing tomorrow. The Colts running game has been mediocre all season and I expect head coach Tony Dungy to let his 3-time MVP QB to throw as much as he pleases. This game has all the makings of a shootout because the Chargers offense has been superb behind their hot QB in Phillip Rivers. WR Vincent Jackson has become a star this season and Antonio Gates and Chris Chambers are great weapons as well. Backup RB Darren Sproles has been phenomenal out of the backfield as a rusher and receiver this season. He could be a huge difference in the outcome of this game. The key to me is Colts FS Bob Sanders, he's back and the Colts defense should have enough to limit San Diego. The Colts put up over 40 points and outscore the Chargers on their way to victory! . I'm taking the Colts.
NFC
#3 Minnesota Vikings vs #6 Philadelphia Eagles
Both of these teams snuck into the postseason with huge Week 17 victories. The Vikings won the NFC North behind star RB Adrian Peterson. Minnesota has a great run defense with Kevin and Pat Williams clogging the middle, but I do not expect the Eagles to run too much. Andy Reid loves to throw the ball all over the field. QB D! onovan McNabb has been superb ever since his benching and know! s how to get the ball to the Eagles best playmaker in RB Brian Westbrook. Westbrook should have a huge day and expect WR Kevin Curtis to have one long catch reception that will be a big factor. The Eagles are a hot team, while the Vikings have been solid they lack a good QB. Tarvaris Jackson will have his hands full with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's blitz schemes and that great Philly secondary. S Brian Dawkins will be huge along with CB Asante Samuel. This game could get ugly like that Dallas-Philly matchup did. I love hot teams and that's why the Eagles are the pick.
#4 Arizona Cardinals vs #5 Atlanta Falcons
The Cardinals in the playoffs? Really? And it's in Arizona? That's right finally the Cardinals have a winner. QB Kurt Warner lead this team along with his cabinet of WRs in Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston. Arizona still doesn't have much of a run game, but with this passing attack sometimes it isn't necessary. Atlanta has rid themselves of the Michael Vick drama and after an 11-5 season has made the playoffs once again. New head coach Mike Smith has built a winner thanks in large part to rookie QB Matt Ryan and new RB Michael Turner. Both these guys helped Atlanta produce a great offense complemented by a solid defense. The Falcons are a scary team in these playoffs. Arizona has been in free fall for quite some time now and are only in the playoffs because of the lack of comp! etition in the NFC West. Atlanta rolls easily in this one put! ting up over 400 yards of total offense. The Falcons win this one.
