ARIZONA vs. NEW ORLEANS
This one has all the earmarks of a shootout waiting to happen. Both offenses that are capable of putting up a slew of points, while each teams defense is statistically below average.
It will be interesting to see how Arizona travels this weekend. After an exhaustive victory over Green Bay last week, they now must gather themselves and go to the Superdome where an enthusiastic, boisterous crowd will greet them. Are the Cardinals batteries recharged to take on the Saints and on the road no less? Arizona is the defending NFC champion. Except for Anquan Boldin, injuries are not a big problem at the moment. Boldin will certainly play this weekend after missing last week's game with an ankle; this is a fellow that once played with a fractured face! Former Buckeye Beanie Wells, who had 91 yards last week, is probable with an ankle injury, but will he be consistently productive? Wells has a history with injuries that goes back to when he was pounding defenses for The Team from Columbus. The Arizona defense will be looking to avoid a repeat of their performance in the Wild Card round when they played consistent defense for the first 34 minutes; the problem was that a game is 60 minutes.
Meanwhile, the nation will be waiting to see what the Saints do after basically backing into the playoffs. Should they lose, prepare for the inevitable storm of talking heads on ESPN to debate resting starters versus playing them. In totality, however, it would seem as though New Orleans reached their zenith after their blowout win over New England in week 12. After that game, the Saints escaped Washington with a game, when the 'Skins were a competent kicker away from victory. The next week in Atlanta, New Orleans barely got past a short-handed Falcon team. Not to mention, the Saints went 3-6 in the redzone against one of the worse defenses in the league. The Saints were the top offense in the NFL during the regular season. Despite their appearance as a passing team they displayed exquisite balance averaging 131 rushing yards/game at a 4.5 yard/carry clip. New Orleans has all the tools to keep the Cardinals defense on its heels all day.
Suffice to say, it is hard to envision both teams being sharp in the early going. The first quarter, and the first half will certainly be paced by each team's defense. Whichever team is more successful running the ball and limiting turnovers will emerge victorious. It appears, at the moment, that team will be the Saints.
BALTIMORE vs. INDIANAPOLIS
The Colts are another team that will invoke the rest versus playing debate. However, they did play their starters for a portion of their final two regular season games. Indy will not accommodate Baltimore's desire to run the ball as much as New England did last week. The Colts will almost surely be watching Ray Rice and his tree trunk thighs with a discerning eye. Rice was not only a key to the Baltimore running game, but the passing game as well. Few teams protect their meal-ticket as well as the Colts; They surrendered 13 sacks all season. The Ravens had trouble consistently getting to the passer all season. It should be said that Terrell Suggs return late in the season bolstered their pass-rush significantly.
The Ravens Achilles heel on defense is their secondary. No disrespect to the great Ed Reed, but the corners are more than vulnerable. Also, Reid has been playing with lower body injuries for the latter third of the season. It's a safe to say this should be a tight one. Yes, Baltimore went 1-6 against playoff teams, but their average margin of defeat in those games was six points. Unfortunately for Baltimore, QB Joe Flacco has a hip problem that became especially evident when he scrambled against the Patriots in the last game. Joe Cool labored when he scrambled and his throws, all 10 of them, were usually off-target.
Baltimore will try to stay in this one with defense and running, but with Flacco's injury, the prospect of passing against a front that includes Dwight Freeny (13.5 sacks) and Robert Mathis (9.5) can hardly seem settling to John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. If Flacco is healed however, Baltimore just might remind one of the '05 Steelers. They have a second year quarterback who experienced playoff success in his rookie season, and they have a solid defense with a secondary that is vulnerable except for it superlative safety.
Unfortunately for the Ravens the Colts have had two whole weeks since the end of the regular season for everyone to remind them of their past playoff failures. It is almost a sure thing that the AFC Title game will be in Indy next weekend.
DALLAS versus MINNESOTA
The Cowboys appear to have found their stride, winning games in December and bouncing the beloved Birds from the playoffs with gusto. Now they take on a Vikings team that has questions.
The first question concerning the Vikings is simple: will they be able to get Adrian Peterson on track? Peterson's last 100-yard game came against no other that the Detroit Lions. Only once in the last seven games did he average over four yards/carry and that was the season finale, against a Giants team that appeared to be looking very forward to the off-season. Also fumbles didn't do much to inspire his confidence or the confidence of others around him. When he's looking to break tackles, the ball becomes a loaf of bread in his hands. Vikings running back coach, Eric Bienemy was a horse in college; you could jump on him and ride the day out. So why can't Public Bienemy number on get Peterson to grasp the concept of "high and tight?"
The second question concerning the Vikings is where is the teeth in the pass-rush? Defensive End Jared Allen's play tapered off after Minnesota's bye. And no doubt his season totals were helped by walking through that swinging gate that is the Green Bay offensive line twice this season. Allen had better do whatever it takes this side of getting another DUI, to get up for this game.
The last question concerning the Vikings is how prepared are they? Over their last eight games, the Vikings only played two teams with a winning record, and one of those teams was the questionable Cincinnati Bengalis. They defeated Cincy after getting pounded by Arizona the week before. Also, the Vikes lost two of their last three games getting blown out by Carolina, and making Chicago look as though an offense resides there (36 points allowed).
The case for a Cowboys victory is simple. They look like an avalanche, rolling downhill gaining momentum sweeping up everything in its path. Tony Romo has discovered how cut down on the turnovers. Dallas is running the ball with conviction. The defense looks like they can play with anyone. Look for Dallas to key on Peterson on first and second down, and to turn the pass-rush loose in obvious passing situations. Vikings' Offensive Tackles Phil Loadholt and Bryant McKinnie are massive. Dallas Outside Linebackers Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware match up well against them in passing situation. Spencer and Ware will be too athletic to be contained by McKinnie and Loadholt. Unless Minnesota overpowers Dallas in the run game, they will have trouble scoring.
This is painful to say, but the Cowboys momentum will continue for at least another week.
NY JETS versus SAN DIEGO
New York Cornerback Darrelle Revis is the truth when it comes to pass coverage. Watching him go toe-to-toe with Randy Moss twice this season without blinking was impressive. His footwork and ability to position himself on a receiver are without peer in the league. It won't do a bit of good this weekend. San Diego wideout Vincent Jackson is a physical specimen; he is literally Revis' biggest, strongest challenge of the season. And San Diego has other weapons in their cache. They will be able to attack the Jets best unit, their defense. Can the New York defense keep them in this one is the only operative question. San Diego will load the box and dare New York rookie QB Mark Sanchez to beat them. He likely won't.
It would help the rookie's cause if Braylon Edwards didn't drop balls as though they had been dipped in anthrax. Seriously, where former Oakland wideout Fred Biletnikoff used to coat his hands in Stickum, Edwards must use Murray's grease on his? In a bit of irony Edwards won the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate receiver, in 2004. "They don't like me because I went to Michigan," said Edwards shortly before his ouster out of Cleveland. No Mr. Edwards, they didn't like you because your hands are made of bacon grease. Edwards’ father recently came out and said that the criticism against his son is fair. Hopefully son Edwards is still seeking daddy's approval; otherwise he is hard for a football fun to watch.
At any rate, punch San Diego's ticket to Indianapolis next weekend.
The D-train Daily is pulling onto the train yard until Monday. Until then...DON'T GET CAPTURED! Good Night & Good Luck.
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