The playoffs are finally here, and not a moment too soon. After a crazy regular season, twelve teams are left with their eyes on the Super Bowl. Let’s get you ready for this weekend with a wild-card edition of the Opening Drive.
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7)
Arizona made the playoffs simply by beating up on the NFC West. No other team in their division was over .500, and Seattle and St. Louis are two of the worst teams in the NFL. The Cardinals went 6-0 against their NFC West rivals and 3-7 against the rest of the league. That statistic doesn’t bode well for Arizona as they’ve lost four of their last six and welcome the surging Atlanta Falcons into the University of Phoenix Stadium. Matt Ryan is the offensive rookie of the year and leads a balanced attack against a weak Cardinal defensive unit. This is one of the more lop-sided match-ups of the weekend. Kurt Warner and his stellar wide receiving corps may keep the Cardinals in the game for a while, but Michael Turner and the Falcon offensive line will be the key. If they can maintain the time of possession and keep Warner on the sideline Atlanta will extend their already fantastically successful season.
Indianapolis Colts (12-4) at San Diego Chargers (8-8)
I never thought I’d say it, but the San Diego Chargers have made it into the 2008 NFL playoffs. By winning their last four contests, including their season-ending win over the Denver Broncos, the Chargers are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Unfortunately, they may be facing a team hotter than they are in the Indianapolis Colts, winners of nine straight. Peyton Manning has just won his third MVP, leading his Colts back from a 3-4 start to the season to finish an astounding 12-4. Manning is in the midst of his most impressive season of his career after going through two off-season surgeries. On the opposing front, Philip Rivers is having his best season as a pro, bolstering a Charger offense that features a merely average Tomlinson. The “x factor” in this one will be the play of Darren Sproles. LT’s back-up has excelled this season after Michael Turner left in free agency. Sproles is featured in the running game as a “change of pace” back, but his real value is on special teams. He’s a threat to break one every time he touches the ball, and the Colts are infamous for their poor kick coverage. Even with that in mind, the Chargers might struggle to keep up with Manning and the Colts’ offensive output. Their late-season revival may save Norv Turner’s job, but they’re still just an 8-8 team, playoffs or not.
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Miami Dolphins (11-5)
Miami’s regular season turn-around from 2007 is nothing short of amazing. A 1-15 team a year ago, the Dolphins have won the AFC East and are hosting a playoff game. Chad Pennington is the comeback player of the year for the second time in his career, but he will need to do more than just manage the offense against the stout Raven defense. Linebacker Ray Lewis may be the heart and soul of the Ravens, but safety Ed Reed is the playmaker. Reed has come through in clutch moments in so many games throughout his career, and his talents have propelled Baltimore into the post-season. With their defense, the Ravens are possibly the most intimidating team in the playoffs. Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has exceeded expectations by bringing a semblance of offense back to Baltimore and turning a glaring weakness into only a slight weakness. He’ll need to stay on top of his game to avoid linebacker Joey Porter, who has made his name this season by putting the hurt on opposing quarterbacks. The real question coming out of Miami is how the Dolphins offense will perform versus the Ravens D. If Pennington can sustain drives with his precision passing and keep turnovers to a minimum like he did all season, the Dolphins have a real chance to keep their Cinderella season alive.
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
Donovan McNabb’s tumultuous 2008 season has a chance for a happy ending if he can lift his team to a victory on wild-card weekend over his former offensive coordinator Brad Childress, now the Vikings head coach. Childress’s squad has gone through two quarterback changes this season, as Tarvaris Jackson was replaced by Gus Frerotte early in the season, only to return to the starting line-up late as Frerotte struggled. Jackson hasn’t been called on to do much offensively besides hand it off to Adrian Peterson coming out of the backfield. Minnesota’s defense will need to capitalize off of any turnovers the Eagles offense may commit, or they won’t be able to match Philly’s point output. Philadelphia’s blitzing defense will attempt to confuse and pressure the young quarterback, so the running game will be needed in order to keep Jackson upright. For the Eagles, Brian Westbrook is the offense. When he’s healthy, the Eagles win. Andy Reid may have finally learned to hand the ball off with more regularity, and it has been paying dividends in the form of Eagle victories. A solid rushing attack keeps McNabb from making too many mistakes and having to win the game on his own. If the Eagles are going to continue on in the post-season, it’s going to be thanks to Westbrook.
Have fun watching this weekend!
