On the brink of the college national championship game between LSU and Alabama, we are given the gift of Wild Card weekend in the NFL consisting of two teams starting rookie quarterbacks, three teams that have won a Superbowl in the last 5 years (New Orleans, NY Giants, Steelers), and of course...Tim Tebow. But more important than the underlying stories, who will move on in the NFL playoffs after the weekend.
Let's start with the NFC. Detroit at New Orleans presents maybe the most intriguing matchup of the weekend. Two dynamic passing attacks, two of the league's best quarterbacks, and these teams have already played one another earlier in the season. The Saints won the first matchup between these two teams. Detroit struggled in the fourth quarter after only being down 1 score. They committed too many penalties and they were missing two of their best pass rushers. Look for this game to be a little closer than their first meeting but it will be the same result. The Saints are too good at home, and Drew Brees is playing some of the best football of his career.
The next NFC matchup is between the NY Giants and Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons had a somewhat disappointing season but snuck into the playoffs where as the Giants finished off the season red hot in order to win the NFC East division. Eli Manning and their passing attack will cause problems for the Falcons and they won't be able to win a shootout in cold weather in New York. Giants over the Falcons.
Now to the AFC. Bengals vs Texans. Two rookie quarterbacks, who have already faced each other once this season. The Texans won their first meeting, and they win this weekend as well. Their rushing attack will be too much for the Bengals on the road.
Then we have the Denver Broncos taking on the Pitt. Steelers. Tim Tebow finished out the season as a turnover machine and the Steelers are plagued with injuries. The difference, the Steelers play their best football in the playoffs. This won't be a blow out, but the Steelers will win this game, probably late in the fourth quarter by a field goal, and the Broncos dismal passing attack won't be able to relish another comeback.
Well...there you have it. Saints, Giants, Texans and Steelers will be the winners on the weekend.
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