Playoffs? Yes, Please! NFL Playoff Matchups

It’s never too early to start talking about the playoffs! As of today, this is how the playoffs matchups would shake out.

Potential NFC Match-ups

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals

One team’s quarterback is nearing the end of his astounding career, while the other's may be just beginning.

Kurt Warner and Aaron Rodgers are both having outstanding seasons, but the Packers’ defense may be the key to whether Arizona or Green Bay comes out victorious. The loss of Al Harris for the season due to a torn ACL may come back to haunt the Packers if this indeed turns out to be the wildcard match-up in the NFC.

The Cardinals have arguably the best receiving core in the league featuring Larry Fitzegerlad, Anquan Boldin, and Steven Breaston, and with the emergence of Arizona’s running game their offense could be incredibly dangerous. The key word here is could be danger. No one knows which Arizona Cardinal team will show up. Aaron Rodgers will have his chance to emerge from Brett Favre’s shadow if he can guide his team to a play-off win, but the Cardinals will not be an easy out.

Prediction: Packers 31 Cardinals 13
In the end I think the Packers defense and potential defensive MVP Charles Woodson find a way to force turnovers against the fumbling prone Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower while Aaron Rodgers takes full advantage.

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

These two last met in week nine resulting 20-16 victory for the Cowboys, but the game was not without some controversy. With the Eagles facing a fourth and 11, trailing by seven, and 4:27 left to play, Eagles’ Coach Andy Reid elected to kick a 52 yard field goal instead of punting or going for it on fourth down. David Akers made the field goal, but the Eagles’ Defense could not stop Marion Barber and the Cowboys from running out the final 4:27 on the clock.

The Cowboys’ December woes have been well-noted by the media, but this may be the year they find a way to get it done in the playoffs. With Cowboy killer Brian Westbrook still uncertain about his future in the NFL, the Cowboys’ poor run defense may catch a break. The Eagles will be forced to rely even more heavily on their passing game in an already pass happy offense.

Prediction: Cowboys 27 Eagles 24

The Cowboys finally get a playoff win for the first time in more then a decade while Romo leads them to a victory in the fourth quarter. The absence of Westbrook proves to be key as Eagles’ rookie LeSean Mccoy has a below average game leaving Eagles’ fans wondering what if.

Byes: Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints

Potential AFC Matchups

Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots

A potential rematch of the thrilling week five match-up between the Broncos and Patriots which left Josh McDaniels’ pumping his fist for television cameras. The Patriots led the whole way, but a fourth quarter drive by Kyle Orton and the Broncos sent the game into overtime where the Broncos won it.

This game very well could be won and lost in Denver’s secondary. Currently the Patriots high powered offense ranks number two in passing offense while the Broncos rank number two in passing defense. This is not to downplay the matchup between Kyle Orton and the Patriots’ atrocious secondary, but the Patriots may catch a break as the Broncos rely heavily on the run game and short passes when they do pass. Belicheck’s understudy got the better of him in week five, but will the same be said if this play-off matchup comes to fruition? 

Prediction: Patriots 27 Broncos 17
Did anyone think I would really pick against the Patriots in the playoffs? Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Randy Moss will find a way to get it done. Orton’s lack of arm strength proves costly as it allows the Patriots’ safeties to come into the box and stop the Bronco’s ground game.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cincinnati Bengals

Two of NFL’s surprise teams are set to square off in Cincinnati. The Jaguars are in prime position to reach the play-offs as the sixth seed leaving the Steelers, Dolphins, Jets, and Texans on the outside looking in.

The Jaguars just keep winning games, even if they’re not doing it in spectacular fashion, while Cincinnati has almost certainly sewn up their division with a three game lead over the Ravens and Steelers. Neither team’s offense has been spectacular, but with the emergence of Cedric Benson this game will sport two of 2009’s best runningbacks in Cincinnati’s Benson and Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew. Jones-Drew leads the NFL in rush TD’s and has been everything the Jaguars hoped for when they allowed Fred Taylor to walk away as a free agent.

Prediction: Bengals 34 Jaguars 10

Carson Palmer has struggled at times this season, but he has waited four long years to get back into the playoffs. Palmer’s last playoff snap was in 2004 which resulted in a 66 yard touchdown to Chris Henry, but also essentially ended the Bengals’ season. Palmer was hit on the play resulting in two torn ligaments and the end of his season. Palmer rises to the occasion and performs well while Benson pounds the ball in from the goal line.

If you like this, look for my other NFL articles in the future!