NFL Playoff Analysis and Predictions

As yet another exciting and unpredictable NFL season has come to an end, it still leaves us with one more month of addicting and contagious action. Here are the current playoff match-ups with analysis and predictions.

(5) Atlanta Falcons vs. (4) Arizona Cardinals Saturday 3:30 PM CST

Arizona will host the battle of the birds in what should be a high scoring affair. The Falcons, lead by the beefy halfback Michael Turner, come into the game with an 11-5 record in a tough division and with the league's second best rushing offense. Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has done well for a guy with two first names and will likely be Rookie of the Year with over 3,600 yards passing and 16 touchdowns. Turner has turned out to be the halfback who should have been kept in San Diego by rushing for over 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. For Arizona, quarterback Kurt Warner produced a season reminiscent of when he was a part of the greatest show on turf and will be mentioned for MVP consideration with over 4,500 yards passing and 30 touchdowns this season. The Cardinals are a one-dimensional offense that lacks any type of running game, but still are a threat with Pro Bowl wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. While the Falcons don't have a great defense, especially against the pass, the Cardinals are worse and one can expect a lot of points to be put up in the desert. The Falcons' cornerbacks are going to be outmatched by the bigger physical Cardinal receivers, but Arizona has no answer for the Falcons' Turner and quarterback Ryan will do enough for the Falcons to win their first playoff game in the post Michael Vick era.

Falcons 45 Cardinals 31

(5) Indianapolis Colts at (4) San Diego Chargers 7:00 PM CST Saturday

The red-hot Colts, having won their last 9 games, travel to the home of the best zoo to take on the Chargers who are on a 4 game winning streak of their own. It'll be no vacation for the Colts though, and both teams are peaking at the right time to make this showdown one of the more competitive wild card games this weekend. Look for Peyton Manning and company to take advantage of the Charger's blitz defense with a lot of short slants and screen plays. The Chargers looked real good defeating the Broncos for a playoff berth with LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles playing on another level and Phillip Rivers finally throwing at a level to match his talk. The Chargers should win this game behind an energetic crowd on Saturday night, but they won't. Manning, likely this year's MVP, won't make mistakes like he has in the past versus San Diego and the Colts defense will capture the Charger's lightning while sending Rivers crying back to his room for the off-season like the baby he is.

Colts 31 Chargers 24

(6) Baltimore Ravens at (3) Miami Dolphins 12:00 PM CST Sunday

Taking place in balmy Florida, both teams come into this game with an 11-5 record and both have dramatically improved from a year ago. Although the "Tuna" may leave already after only one year, he has rebuilt the Dolphins and quarterback Chad Pennington has been more reliable this year than ever by throwing for over 3,600 yards with a 67.4 completion percentage. The Ravens come into Miami with a stud defense that has only allowed 15.2 points per game, which ranks third in the league. Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has been decent this season and halfbacks Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain have been good at times, but it's the defense lead by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed that has once again carried this team to the playoffs. Look for Miami's defense to stop the Ravens running game and force Flacco to make some mistakes in his first NFL playoff game. Don't expect too much from the Dolphin's offense either as the Ravens have the speed to pounce on the wildcat formation. With a 5 game winning streak, expect the Dolphins to pull out the victory in a close, defense dominating slobber-knocker.

Dolphins 17 Ravens 14

(6) Philadelphia Eagles at (3) Minnesota Vikings 3:30 PM Sunday

Even after their dismal performance against the Redskins that resulted in a 3-10 loss in week 16, the Eagles destroyed their much-hated rival, the Dallas Cowboys, to earn a playoff berth and will travel to Minnesota to take on a Vikings team that needed a last second field goal to defeat the Giants in week 17 and claim the NFC North Title. The Eagles are a dangerous team despite winning only 9 games in the regular season. Halfback Brian Westbrook is the center of the offense and is a threat running and receiving the ball. Quarterback Donovan McNabb is still an elite quarterback even if he doesn't know that there are ties in football. Their defense ranks 4th in the NFL allowing 18.1 points per game and thanks to defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, they are always pressuring the opposing quarterback and forcing turnovers. The Vikings, who don't have a quarterback, come out of a weak NFC North with MVP candidate and rushing champion Adrian Peterson. Peterson carried his team this year with 1,760 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Their defense is average against the pass, but stellar against the run, allowing an NFL best 76.9 yards per game. Look for the Vikings' Peterson to have a decent game and scrap together 100 yards with a touchdown, but nothing else for the Vikings' offense. Philly is the better team and coming off an impressive performance that built team confidence. Expect Westbrook to have a big game receiving the ball and for the Eagles to win the turnover battle and the game.

Eagles 24 Vikings 10

Sources:

www.nfl.com