2010 NFL Playoffs: NFC Divisional Round Predictions

The divisional round of the 2010 NFL playoffs will feature two NFC games featuring four of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Can Drew Brees and Tony Romo finally put their demons to rest and help their teams advance to the conference game?

Will Brett Favre and Kurt Warner continue to teach the younger quarterbacks how to manage a game and help your team find success in the playoffs?

Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints have spent the last two weeks preparing for their first home playoff game of 2010 while the Cardinals are coming off one of the most explosive games in recent NFL playoff history.

Cardinals' fans may be thrilled by Kurt Warner's performance; 87.9% completion rate for 375 yards with five touchdowns, but they need to worry about their defense that allowed close to 500 total yards.

One bright spot about their defense, aside from scoring the winning touchdowns, has to be the pressure they applied to the Packers' Aaron Rodgers. The Cardinals were able to sack him five times and kept constant pressure on him.

One key performer for the Cardinals will have to be running back Beanie Wells, who seems to have found his grove towards the end of the season. Last week, Wells was able to rack up 91 yards on 14 carries. Wells was able to average 6.5 yards per carry and will be looking to build upon that against the Saints who give up 112 yards per game on the ground.

The New Orleans Saints limped into the playoffs with a three game losing streak after starting out as one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl. Thanks to the time off, key players like tight end Jeremy Shockey and running back Pierre Thomas, are healthy and will be back in the lineup.

While the Saints have shown they can win a NFL game a variety of ways, their playoff success will be dependent upon quarterback Drew Brees, who had his ups and downs towards the second half of the season.

In 2009 Brees completed a career record 70.6% of his passes for 4,388 yards with 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His top receiver, Marques Colsten, bounced back from an injury filled 2008 to show his rookie season was no fluke. The Cardinals secondary will have their hands full with this combination on Saturday.

A big bonus for the Saints in 2009 was the addition of safety Darren Sharper. His impact on the defense was evident early in the season when he scored two defensive touchdowns. Sharper has the ability to make the big play and will be ready to help out the cornerbacks when the Cardinals come across the middle.

The Saints will benefit if Cardinals' wide receiver Anquan Boldin is unable to play this weekend. While Larry Fitzgerald gains more publicity, Boldin is just as explosive and can be just as dominant. This will put the pressure on the Cardinals Steve Breaston and Early Doucet to step up again this week.

The Cardinals' energy will be drained from last weekend and will find the Saints primed and ready to go. Both teams will put points up on the board and will end with the Saints earning a close win and moving one step closer to the Super Bowl.

Prediction New Orleans 31 Arizona 28

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings

The Cowboys are on fire after winning their last four games, where their defense has allowed a total of 31 points. Can the Cowboys continue to find success against an explosive Vikings offense that averaged 29.4 points per game during the regular season?

One factor for the Cowboys recent success has been the ability to protect the ball and force turnovers. During their winning streak, the Cowboys have a plus six turnover ratio. Meanwhile in the Cowboys' five losses, they had a minus seven turnover ratio. This will be important to maintain because the Vikings defense created 24 turnovers during the season.

The Cowboys running game has continued to improve and has played an important part in their recent success. During their last four games, they have gained 630 yards on the ground and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. The Cowboys running backs will need to find some room against a stout Vikings defense that has allowed only 87.2 yards per game on the ground.

Quarterback Tony Romo has been playing like a man possessed during their last five games, completing 68.6% of his passes while throwing nine touchdowns and only two interceptions. He will be ready on Sunday as he continues to erase any doubt that he is the future of the Cowboys.

The Minnesota Vikings are rested and ready to knock the Cowboys back to reality by ending their winning streak. In order to do this, the Vikings will need to make sure they protect their quarterback Brett Favre.

During the last three games where Favre's QB rating was below 80, the Vikings' opponents were able to sack him nine times. The Vikings offensive line will need to keep DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer out of the backfield.

If this happens, the Vikings will be able to use the NFL's eight best passing offense to expose the Cowboys weak secondary. During the season, the Cowboys allowed 225 passing yards per game and allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 60.1% of their passes.

The Vikings will increase their chances of winning if running back Adrian Peterson is able to improve upon his 3.9 yards per carry during the last month of the season. It is equally important for Peterson is to hold onto the ball. During the season, Peterson led the NFL with 6 lost fumbles.

The Cowboys defense will be instrumental in disrupting Favre's timing and will help create big turnovers for their offense. This will give the edge to the Cowboys who will advance to the NFC conference game.

Prediction Dallas 27 Minnesota 20

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