Elsa/Getty Images

Tom Brady called all of Rex Ryan's shots at himself and the Patriots "more hype than substance," according to an article posted on NFL.com.

Brady certainly has the bragging rights in the rivalry, and with the upcoming third game of the season between the two teams.

Bill Belichick, of course is pretty quiet, but Brady likes to say a few things, even if his quotes aren't exactly the best bulletin board material.

Basically, though, you have one of the best coaches in the history of the NFL going up against a brash coach who hasn't won much of anything in his short career as a head coach.

Rex Ryan is great for a quote, but his team clearly backed into the playoffs last year, and their spot this year only was confirmed when another team lost in Week 16. Last week's game was partially determined by Jim Caldwell's giant coaching blunder, and the Jets got killed by the Patriots in Week 13, only a month ago.

For another look at this game, check out 10 Reasons The Jets Will Lose.

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

The NFL Playoffs will feature a great matchup this weekend as the Green Bay Packers go to Atlanta to take on the Falcons

The Packers offense is firing on all cylinders, they all of a sudden have a running game with James Starks and Brandon Jackson, and Clay Matthews is the undeniable star of the Packers defense.

The Falcons are no pushover, though, with Matt Ryan behind center, Roddy White catching his passes and Michael Turner taking the ball out of the backfield.

The Falcons edged out the Packers earlier this season 20-17, but that hardly was a decisive victory.

The Packers now have a more dynamic offense, though, and the Falcons defense will have more to contend with.

Rodgers can spread out the Falcons defense though with Donald Driver and James Jones while the new threats of Starks and Jackson keep the rest of the Falcons defense honest.

The Falcons offense already is known to Green Bay, and there's very little the Falcons can pull out this weekend the Packers haven't seen before.

For a look at where Kevin Kolb may land, check out NFL Trade Rumors.

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

David Akers missed two field goals in yesterday's Wild Card game, which turned out to be the difference as the Eagles lost 21-16.

However, after the game, several teammates jumped to Akers' defense, saying he has been having some off-field issues related to family health, but didn't explain further.

It's terrible whenever a family health issue happens, but that gets magnfied for a professional athlete who is expected to go out and perform at an elite level no matter what is going on in their lives the rest of the week.

Everyone has had a bad day at work where maybe their focus wasn't where it should be, and it could be because of issues going on at home. The difference usually is minor, and few, if anyone, will notice a drop in your production.

Akers, however, had his lack of focus played out on national television in front of a rabid Philadelphia Eagles fanbase. Even if the situation isn't explained further, and truly is none of our business, hopefully the Philadelphia fans and the organization will do right by Akers. One bad day does not define his career in Philadelphia.

For a look at Michael Vick's future, check out NFL Free Agency.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Jim Caldwell tried to defend his baffling timeout call in the final minute of Saturday night's game versus the Jets, but I challenge you to find anything in his rambling statement that make one bit of sense.

Caldwell started talking about Santonio Holmes, moved on to the Jets kicker, and he may have even started talking about how yummy his ham sandwich lunch was, because he never really did give a good answer why he called a defensive timeout when the clock was running down and the Jets were under the gun.

Instead, he allowed Mark Sanchez to run to the sideline, catch his breath and get coached up. One play later, the ball bounced the Jets' way and that was basically the game.

The Colts all of a sudden have serious talent issues going into next season and need a very good draft to stay the elite team they've been. This won't matter a lot, though, if you have Romeo Crennel Version 2.0 on the sidelines, unable to figure out the basics of the game and clock management when things matter the most.

For a look at the worst coaches in NFL History, check out the 25 Worst Here.

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The Baltimore Ravens came out of Kansas City with a big win and now face an even bigger game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.

By losing to the Steelers in Week 13, the Ravens became a road team, and they'll be looking to win the best-of-three matchup this game will conclude. It's win or go home, and the Ravens are looking to make sure the Steelers watch the AFC Championship Game from home.

The Steelers have to look at what went right in Week 13 and capitalize on that because the Ravens certainly won't give the Steelers the same look. The Ravens lost 13-10 in a brutal defensive battle that resulted in Ben Roethlisberger having his face rearranged.

This game should end up being just as brutal, although Roethlisberger's face probably won't get rearranged again. That being said, Ravens fans are hopeful there will be a makeover of some kind.

For a look at a complete two-round mock draft, check this Mock Draft Out Here.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

The NFL playoffs got off to about as wild a start as they possibly could with arguably one of the biggest upsets in the history of the NFL playoffs, and games that were exciting from start to finish.

Looking ahead, the Seahawks have to somehow keep that energy going for one more week while the Chicago Bears have to work extra hard to make sure they don't become the Seahawks' next victim.

The Ravens and Steelers are going to have a game that promises to be so brutal, if you don't see at least three people carried off the field in pieces, it's going to be a letdown. Someone might get chopped up with a battle axe in that game.

The Jets game in New England also promises to be a big game. All I'm saying for that game is Rex Ryan may be killed by a Bill Belichick Death Ray. That game has serious blowout potential, but you never know, the Jets could surprise everyone.

The Packers-Falcons game is one of the more interesting just because it feels like Atlanta got exposed a few weeks ago, and the Packers seem like the kind of team that can exploit those holes, assuming Mike McCarthy doesn't forget how to manage a clock again.

For a further look at the playoffs, check out Breaking Down Wild Card Weekend.

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Ed Reed got the game ball for the victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, and then he hopped a plane back to his hometown to be with his family.

Reed's brother, Brian, disappeared last Friday into the Mississippi River while fleeing police, and he hasn't been seen since. The police have called off the search.

Reed played well on Sunday, notching four tackles and being a presence on many plays that contributed to Matt Cassel's bad day. Reed played despite the turmoil going on with his family.

According to NFL.com, Reed's 54 interceptions lead the NFL since he entered the league in 2002. Despite missing the first six games this season following offseason hip surgery, he had an NFL-best eight interceptions in just 10 games. Reed is the only player in NFL history to have scored touchdowns off a punt return, blocked punt, interception and fumble recovery.

Reed will be a huge factor in this weekend's game versus the Steelers, but there's no doubt that no matter what is going on with his brother, Reed will be on the field and focused.

For a look at the Ravens, check out Are They the Super Bowl Favorites?

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

The Seahawks take on the Chicago Bears in the matchup no one except die-hard Seahawk fans predicted.

Hats off to the Seahawks—the players, coaches, everybody. That team came out and stunned the New Orleans Saints with a performance that was nothing short of jaw-dropping.

Right now, everyone has to reassess everything they thought they knew about the Seahawks because that performance didn't happen by accident.

Pete Carroll showed why the past means nothing and that the postseason is a whole new season. Marshawn Lynch had the best game of his career, and Matt Hasselbeck's performance can only be described as "gritty."

Now the question is if the Seahawks left everything on the table on Saturday and if they have enough to do it again versus the Bears this weekend. The Bears have shown they are vulnerable this season, and not all of their 11 wins were dominating ones.

So can the Seahawks shock the world again? We'll find out on Sunday.

For a look at the Wild Card Weekend, check out 10 Things We Learned.

Al Bello/Getty Images

Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan are pretty evenly matched up going into this weekend's contest, with each quarterback throwing well over 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns.

The Falcons have Michael Turner, but the Packers all of a sudden have James Starks and Brandon Jackson. However, the Falcons defense is ranked 10th against the run, so the Packers have their work cut out for them.

The edge Rodgers has right now is the giant chip on his shoulder. Rodgers still is, in one way, playing in the shadow of Brett Favre. Rodgers, whether he admits it or not, feels pressure to get the Packers back in the Super Bowl. Only then will the ghost of Favre truly be exorcised.

The Falcons have the 22nd-ranked pass defense, and that's where the Packers can expose the Falcons and claim a victory. Rodgers is playing at an elite level this season, and the Falcons defense has no room for error.

For a look at the next round of playoffs, check out 10 Bold Predictions.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The Jets take on the Patriots one more time this weekend, and the Jets are looking to erase the bitter memories of Week 13 and the 45-3 drubbing they suffered at the hands of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

Rex Ryan loves to run his mouth; it's just part of who he is. Some people love it, some people hate it. But when you run your mouth against Belichick and Brady, be prepared to face the consequences. As Ryan found out in Week 13, Belichick will not hesitate to keep scoring on the Jets.

Ryan took a shot at Brady last week, and you can expect the hits to keep on coming this week. Ryan will have his Jets fired up for Sunday's game in New England.

But Belichick will be ready for the Jets, and there's no doubt that if the Patriots can exploit the Jets defense like they did in Week 13, Belichick will not stop trying to score until the clock runs out.

For another look at this game, check out 10 Reasons The Jets Will Lose Just as Bad.

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Ravens vs. Steelers game is going to be a rough, tough, brutal slobberknocker.

These two teams don't like each other, and don't expect to see that change when it's win or go home this weekend. The season series is tied at one game a piece, so now we get to see the "best-of-three" finale take place at Heinz Field.

We also get a best-of-three in the other AFC Divisional matchup between the Jets and Patriots, but more on that later. The Steelers have had a week to rest and recover, and they're hoping the heart and soul of their defense, Troy Polamalu, will not only be healthy enough to take the field, but be sharp enough to make his usual impact on the game.

Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger will be moving targets for the defenses, and it's a no-brainer prediction to say that whichever quarterback has the better day will probably win the game.

For a more in-depth look at the game, check out 10 Things to Watch For.