2010 NFL Playoffs: Five Things to Expect in the Wildcard Round

The 2010 NFL playoffs are here and as history has shown, anything and everything can happen in a NFL playoff game. From the upsets to Michael Vick, here are five things fans can expect to happen during the opening weekend of the wildcard round.

1. One team from the West Will Come Away With a Win

The Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West) and the Seattle Seahawks (NFC West) are two teams no one expected to make a serious run at a playoff berth, yet alone a division title. The Chiefs and the Seahawks proved them wrong and now find themselves in a heated playoff race with a shot at a Super Bowl berth.

The beauty of the playoffs is that a less than stellar team can catch a hot streak and win three games in a row. Of the two teams, the Chiefs have the better chance of earning a win during the opening round of the playoffs. They have the better equipped offense to put up some points if needed.

2. Michael Vick Will Be Sent Home Early

A few weeks ago, the Eagles looked unstoppable and their quarterback, Michael Vick, appeared to have a legitimate shot at the MVP award. After two devastating losses, the Eagles find themselves playing during Wildcard weekend when they should have been sitting at home relaxing for a week.

The Packers are a dangerous team and have shown they can score with the best of them. Of the two teams, the Packers have the better defensive unit that is capable of shutting down an explosive team. Sorry Vick, but enjoy the short stay in the playoffs.

3. The New York Jets Will Show Their True Colors

At the start of the 2010 NFL season, the Jets were the sexy pick to be the AFC representative for the Super Bowl. Instead of rolling through their competition, the Jets struggled at times and ended up backing into the playoffs with a fraudulent 11-5 record.

If the Jets did not have one of the top rated defenses in the league to bail out their roller coaster offense, they would probably be sitting home right about now. They do not have the momentum like they did in 2009 and that means an early exit.

4. Peyton Manning Will Remind us How Good He is

No matter how many games he has won or passes he has completed, no one truly appreciates just how good Peyton Manning is. Aside from the three week stretch where Manning started to look human, Manning has been his typical MVP-like self.

Do not believe us? He completed 66.2% of his passes for 4,700 yards to go along with 33 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He is the reason why the Colts ended up earning the number three spot in the NFL playoffs.

5. The New Orleans Saints Are the Team No One Wants to Play

Forget the hype of the Saints after they won the Super Bowl last year and capped a magical season. They are no longer a team of destiny, but rather a really good football team. The Saints put together 11-5 season that would have been even better if they were not in the NFC South.

Over the last nine games, the Saints have compiled a 7-2 record and look to have one of the most feared offenses in the league. Drew Brees and company will be ready to move ball at will against a Seahawks defense that is anything but stable.