The 2010 NFL playoffs kick off this weekend with four games that promise to have fans sitting on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Can the New England Patriots overcome injuries to earn a playoff win? Will the Dallas Cowboys be able to end their playoff losing streak with a win over a bitter rival? Can the New York Jets advance in the playoffs with a rookie quarterback? Will the Green Bay Packers knock off the Cardinals for the second week in a row?
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
The New York Jets have the perfect combination of the NFL’s top running game and a dominant defense to make a deep run into the playoffs. The one thing that can hold them back is costly turnovers. During the regular season when the Jets turned the ball over more than their opponents, they had an 0-5 record.
The Bengals have had a rough stretch over the past month, with the untimely death of wide receiver Chris Henry and winning just one of their last four games. Expect the Bengals to turn things around and play with a purpose this weekend. They will rely heavily upon their running game, ranked ninth in the NFL averaging 128.5 yards per game to help set up their passing attack.
This game will come down to the Bengals’ ability to pressure Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez and force him to make mistakes. The Jets coaching staff has learned from the regular season and will not put the burden of winning the game on Sanchez’s shoulders. As a result, the Jets will come away with a close win and move on to the next round.
Prediction New York 24 Cincinnati 21
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are looking to complete a three game sweep of the Eagles when they take the field on Saturday. The Cowboys defense has been on fire in recent weeks. Over their last two games, the defense has given up zero points and allowed a total of 80 yards rushing.
The Eagles are not going to be the same team that was manhandled by the Cowboys during the last regular game of the season. If they want to come away with a win, the Eagles need to win the turnover battle. Their plus 15 turnover ratio was a big reason they earned a spot in the playoffs.
The third time will be the charm for the Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo. He has done a better job of protecting the ball over the last month and has only thrown two interceptions. Romo’s performance will help the Cowboys advance to the next round.
Prediction Dallas 24 Philadelphia 21
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
The Ravens enter the NFL playoffs with their trademark running game that is ranked fifth in the NFL, averaging 137.5 yards per game with Ray Rice leading the way with 1,339 yards. A concern for Ravens is their secondary that has been burned by the deep ball and has begun to show their age.
The Patriots are without their leading wide receiver Wes Welker and have a porous run defense that will need some help to slow down the Ravens’ running backs. The one thing the Patriots do have is two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady. The NFL Comeback Player of the Year will need to improve upon his performance during the last four games of the season where he completed 65.4% of his passes for 760 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.
Though the Patriots have experience on their side, the Ravens offense will be able to control the line of scrimmage and dominant the front seven of the Patriots. The Ravens will escape with a close victory and move on to the next round of the NFL playoffs.
Prediction Baltimore 21 New England 20
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals
The Packers’ defense enters the playoffs as one of the best in the NFL. In the regular season they allowed 18.6 points per game and held their opponents to an average of less than 84 yards per game on the ground. Charles Woodson has the task of shutting down Cardinals’ wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who dominated the playoff picture last year. Fitzgerald set a postseason record with 30 receptions for 546 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Cardinals running game has been working on all cylinders in their last three wins. In those games, the Cardinals gained at least 110 yards per game and averaged over 4 yards per carry. Running backs Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower will need to find some room if the Cardinals are going to come away winners this weekend.
Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Kurt Warner will trade blows during the first three quarters, but the Packers running game led by Ryan Grant will eventually take charge. The Packers will earn the win and gain the momentum going into the second round of the NFL playoffs.
Prediction Green Bay 31 Arizona 21
