NFL Playoff Bracket 2013: Breaking Down Keys to Victory in Sunday's Games

With the first two games of wild-card action in the books, Sunday’s games will determine the final matchups for the divisional round and give a clearer indication of which two teams will be squaring off in New Orleans on Feb. 3.

All four teams set to play Sunday—Baltimore, Indianapolis, Washington and Seattle—will be meeting their opponent for the first time this season. While each team has had time to prepare for its first encounter with its respective opponent, Sunday’s matchups will all come down to execution.

The Redskins, Seahawks and Colts will feature rookie quarterbacks at the helm of their offense, and all three have been superb this season. Only the Seahawks escaped the regular season with a top-15 defense (No. 4), but that defense will be faced with arguably the toughest matchup of the weekend.

Anything can happen in the playoffs, but here’s what has to happen for each team to have a shot at moving on to next weekend.

Baltimore Ravens

It’s been said many times this season, but it bears repeating: Baltimore needs to run the football.

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was let go late in the season, due in part to his inability to get the football in Ray Rice’s hands. He’s the Ravens' best offensive weapon, and new offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell will have to make Rice’s presence felt in this game.

The Colts finished the season No. 29 in the league against the run, allowing 137.5 rushing yards per game on 5.1 yards per tote. Baltimore can run the football effectively, and it will need to in order to keep Andrew Luck on the sidelines.

Baltimore’s defense was uncharacteristically porous this season. Given Andrew Luck’s immense talent, the Ravens would probably rather take their chances with a Rice-heavy offense doing most of the work on Sunday.

It’s a simple formula in the NFL: Dominate the game clock with the running game. It’s easier said than done, but that will be the key to a Baltimore victory this weekend.

Indianapolis Colts

While it will be important for the Colts to stop the run on Sunday, it will be equally paramount for Indianapolis to limit turning over the football.

Luck finished the regular season with 18 interceptions, and Baltimore did manage to hold opposing quarterbacks to an average passer rating of 80.6 this year. Given the ineptitude of Indianapolis’ rushing defense (3.8 yards per carry), Luck will likely be faced with many long-yardage situations, in which he’ll be forced to air it out.

Baltimore’s offense has been stagnant at times this season. As long as Indianapolis can give its defense good field position by not turning the ball over, the Colts have a shot to pull out a close victory over the Ravens this weekend.

Washington Redskins

Washington needs to ride the horse that got it here.

The Redskins have had an exceptionally balanced offensive attack this year, aided by Alfred Morris’ 1,613-yard rookie rushing campaign. Robert Griffin III did plenty of damage with his legs as well, but he’s also been phenomenal in the passing game.

Washington can’t abandon the strategy it employed all year. The ground game has to set up the passing game, but establishing that ground game may not be an easy task.

Seattle has one of the better rushing defenses in the league this season (No. 10), but the Seahawks pass rush seemed to tail off in the second half of the year. Washington can’t afford to abandon the run and risk losing its play-action passing element. If the Seahawks can key in on the pass, Griffin will be in for a long day.

Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson had a terrific rookie season, and his ability to limit turnovers was a big reason for Seattle’s success late in the season.

Wilson wasn’t asked to air it out much, though. He was No. 25 in the NFL in pass attempts this year, but he didn’t need to throw all that much. Seattle’s running game and defense kept the Seahawks ahead, and Wilson was able to play conservative football and not take too many risks.

As simple as it sounds, Seattle needs a sound performance from its defense to keep its offense moving in the right direction. The Seahawks can’t afford to play from behind and risk making Wilson throw the ball every play. If the clock becomes a factor for Seattle’s offense, it also takes away Wilson’s opportunity to run the football.

This contest will feature two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, but neither should be expected to have incredible games if all else goes according to plan.