Tomorrow starts the NFL playoffs! Four teams will move on to the next round, and four teams will be one and done. The games look to be entertaining, including three regular season rematches. While the first and second seed teams get a week off to rest some of their injured players, these teams only have a week to get their rosters ready for the game. This weekend is also very important as the last three Super Bowl winners have all played Wild Card weekend.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis Colts
- The Colts are riding a hot streak right now, something defensive end Robert Mathis has taken notice of. “I think if you check the last six Super Bowl winners, they got hot at the right time. That’s what it’s all about, getting hot at the right time,” he said. The Colts are riding a three game win streak, a streak that includes a 23-7 win against the Chiefs. The Chiefs got off to the hottest start in the NFL, going 9-0. However, they hit a speed bump name Peyton Manning who handed them two losses in three weeks. They ended the season losing five of their last seven games. One reason might be the loss of both Tamba Hali and Justin Houston who combined for 22 sacks on the season. Houston is set to return this weekend, but Hali is listed as questionable. The Chiefs have had Jamaal Charles all season and he has been phenomenal for them. He is lethal as a runner, but can also hurt a team in the passing game. Against the Colts, Charles had 13 rushes for 106 yards. The Chiefs will be without their number one draft pick, offensive tackle Eric Fisher which could be huge in the run game as it would allow sack leader Robert Mathis to lineup across a backup lineman. That will be a matchup to watch in tomorrow’s game.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints
- The Saints cannot win away from the Superdome. The Saints cannot win in cold weather. These are two things that have haunted Drew Brees and the Saints all week. The Eagles hope both are true as they welcome in the Saints during a very, very cold stretch of weather. While Drew Brees had a great season, Eagles quarterback Nick Foles has been the story of the season in the NFC. The Eagles have become one of the better teams in the NFC behind Foles and his accurate arm, only throwing two interceptions all year. To compliment the passing game, running game LeSean McCoy finished the season as the NFL’s leading rusher. This is not good news for New Orleans who will be without Pierre Thomas tomorrow. The Saints will have to protect Brees as he has been very vulnerable in the pocket and the Eagles will try to exploit that. New Orleans has a rookie, Terron Armstead, protecting Brees’ blindside after Charles Brown was benched. Armstead struggled against Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy and Trent Cole is looking forward to the matchup.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Diego Chargers
- The Chargers once sat at 5-7 and looked like they would miss the playoffs. However, the finished the season at 9-7 and face the Bengals, a team they lost to in Week 13. Their success this season has to be credited to quarterback Phillip Rivers who had a bounce back year and threw 32 touchdowns. However, he will be traveling to Cincinnati where the Bengals have played exceptionally well, especially on defense. The Bengals are looking for their first playoff win since 1990 still despite making the playoffs in 2011 and 2012. The Bengals have to eventually win a playoff game and maybe their perfect record at home this season will continue. It is time for Andy Dalton to prove he is the quarterback who can guide this team to success for the future.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers
- The matchup everyone expected to see in the playoffs, but not quite this soon. The Green Bay Packers won in dramatic fashion against their division rival the Chicago Bears. Packers fans are ecstatic to have their quarterback Aaron Rodgers back as they welcome the red hot San Francisco 49ers. The addition of wide receiver Michael Crabtree has really elevated the 49ers receiving corps which already included wide receiver Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis. It is the San Francisco defense that has really helped this team go on this streak especially the elevated play of NaVorro Bowman. The Packers defense has been shaky at best and they will be without their best player, linebacker Clay Matthews for another game. The Packers have really struggled against the run and this could lead to a big game from Frank Gore.
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