Who Will Be Key to Their Team's Success This Weekend?
This weekend should certainly prove to be a physical one as two of the NFL's most heated rivalries are renewed as Antonio Cromartie and the New York Jets travel to Foxborough to try and knock off the #1 seed in the AFC, the New England Patriots. The other AFC game should be a heavyweight battle of defenses as the Baltimore Ravens and Ray Lewis travel to Pittsburgh to face off with the Steelers. Points are expected to be at a premium, we'll see who cracks first.
Let us not forget the NFC matchups.
Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears are looking to avenge an early season loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and prove they are legitimate contenders for the Lombardi Trophy. Down in Atlanta the Falcons will host Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay as the Packers look to do something only the Saints were able to accomplish this season, beat Matt Ryan at home.
It should be a great weekend of football. We'll take a look at a player from each team who might be the difference maker in deciding whether or not their team advances to the Conference Championships.
Baltimore Ravens Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
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The weekends first matchup is between the Ravens and the Steelers. There is sure to be plenty of monster hits, and lots of trash talking going on during this game. We know all about both teams defenses, so we'll take a look on offense for two players that may have an impact on the outcome of the game.
Prediction: Ravens 13 Steelers 21
Ray Rice
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Ray Rice is arguably the best running back left in the playoffs. He has both the speed needed to beat defenses to the edge, and the power needed to get that first down on 4 and 1. If the Ravens want to catch the Steelers secondary sleeping for a deep strike, they'll need to run Rice early and often. He's also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. He had 63 receptions on the season, making him even more of a weapon for Joe Flacco to rely on.
Prediction: 20 carries 85 yards rushing / 5 catches 45 yards receiving 1 TD
Mike Wallace
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Mike Wallace finished the regular season with 1,257 receiving yards. What is even more amazing is the fact that he only caught 60 balls. That is an average of 21 yards per catch. It seems every week Wallace has a 40, 50, or 60 yard catch. His speed is unmatched, and no corner alone will be able to keep up with him. Ed Reed will almost certainly provide help over the top to try and keep Wallace in check. We've all read Reed's name in the news lately with the disappearance of his brother. So if his head isn't in the game you could see a lot of #17 streaking towards the end zone.
Prediction: 4 catches 100 yards 1 touchdown
Green Bay Packers Vs. Atlanta Falcons
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The late game Saturday has the Atlanta Falcons hosting red hot Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. The Falcons only lost one game at home this year, and quarterback Matt Ryan is 20-2 at home in his career. Packers rookie James Starks had a break out game last week at Philadelphia, will it carry over in Atlanta? Will Michael Turner find any room to run against a defense that allowed its opponents to single digit points six times this season, including a shut out against the New York Jets.
Prediction: Packers 27 Falcons 24
Green Bay's Defense
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The Falcons certainly have their fair share of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Roddy White was an all-pro receiver this season, Michael Turner powered his way to nearly 1,400 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns, and Matt Ryan threw 28 touchdown passes while leading Atlanta to the number one seed in the NFC. How can Green Bay slow this three headed monster? Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, and Tramon Williams. Matthews has been an absolute beast this season, sacking opposing quarterbacks 13.5 times. He has to be accounted for on every play, or he will get to Ryan in he blink of an eye. Woodson only had 2 interceptions this season, but that's largely in part to the fact that quarterback simply don't throw it in his directions. He will most likely have the job of covering Roddy White this Saturday, so look for Roddy to have a limited number of catches. Finally there's the rookie Tramon Williams. He was tied for fifth in the league with 6 interceptions, and one pick behind Devin McCourty for the rookie lead. He is sure to see plenty of balls thrown his way Saturday. If the defense wants to keep Atlanta off the board, Williams will have to be on his game.
Prediction: 3 sacks 1 interception
Michael Turner
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What can be said about Michael Turner that can't be said about a Mack truck? At 5'10", 245 pounds he can run over anyone. If Green Bay's linebacking corp can't keep him in front of them, look for Turner to have a monster game. He is the perfect back for 4 and 1's and goal line looks. The defense will need to be perfect in their tackling because arm tackles won't cut it today. He should get a lot of carries early to try to slow the Packers and possibly open up the big play down field.
Prediction: 28 carries 115 yards 1 touchdown
Seattle Seahawks Vs. Chicago Bears
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Sunday's early game has the Seattle Seahawks traveling east to take on the #2 seed Chicago Bears. The Seahawks stunned the football world by upsetting the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints last week, and are out to continue to prove their doubters wrong. The Bears are out to prove something for themselves. They have already lost to the Seahawks once this year at home by 3 points, so they are out to prove that was a fluke. Chicago is a 10 point favorite, I don't think it will be quite that close.
Prediction: Seahawks 10 Bears 27
Matt Hasselbeck
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Matt Hasselbeck was sensational last week against the Saints. He threw for 272 yards, and had 4 touchdown passes. Very unexpected seeing as he only threw 12 touchdowns during the regular season. The last few years have been a struggle for Hasselbeck, but he can put that all behind him with another big game this weekend against the Bears. If Matt can limit the turnovers he might be able to make a game of it. Running back Marshawn Lynch will pace the offense on the ground, but Hasselbeck will need to take his shots down field when they are open. He is an accurate passer from the pocket, but defensive end Julius Peppers will likely be forcing him out of the pocket all day.
Prediction: 225 passing yards 1 touchdown 2 interceptions
Jay Cutler
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It's pretty fair to call Jay Cutler a gunslinger. He isn't afraid to take his shots, and isn't rattled if he throws an interception. This was arguably his best season thanks in large part to his offensive coordinator Mike Martz. His interceptions were down this season, and he certainly seemed very comfortable running the offense. He led the Bears to an 11-5 season and the #2 seed in the NFC. He has one of the strongest arms in the league and will be prepared to throw the ball all over the field. The Seahawks finished the regular season ranked #27 in the NFL against the pass. As long as Cutler doesn't get over anxious, he should put up good numbers.
Prediction: 250 yards passing 3 touchdowns 1 interception
New York Jets Vs. New England Patriots
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This is perhaps the most anticipated game of the weekend. The New England Patriots are hosting the New York Jets for their third matchup of the season. The Jets won game 1 at home 28-14. The second time around wasn't so kind to the Jets however. In Foxborough the Patriots dismantled the Jets 45-3. There has certainly been no shortage of trash talking this week. Rex Ryan and Antonio Cromartie have filled the back page of the New York Post all week, and will have to prove Sunday that they are the superior team to New England. Not surprisingly the Patriots were quite in their week of preparation, as if Bill Belichick would have it any other way. There is no love loss between these to teams. Look for more than a few after whistle scrums to take place.
Prediction: Jets 20 Patriots 35
Antonio Cromartie
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Does the name Anthony Smith ring a bell? If not, he is the safety that called out Tom Brady before the Steelers played the Patriots during the 2007 season. He also guaranteed a Pittsburgh win. Well Tom Brady went on to throw 4 touchdown passes that game, included 3 in Smith's direction. The Steelers lost 34-13. Skip ahead to this week. During an interview this week Cromartie made it very clear he did not like Tom Brady. He went on an expletive laced tirade about his distaste for Brady. He may have just dug is own grave however. On the other side of the field stands Darell Revis, who most likely won't see many balls thrown his way. The Jets will mix up their coverage, but look for Brady to throw a large percentage of his passes in Cromartie's direction. On the upside for him it means he will have a lot of chances to make plays on the ball, and prove that he can back up his comments. He is a very good corner, but sometimes you just need to let your play do the talking.
Prediction: 2 tackles, 2 passes defended, 2 touchdowns thrown to his man
Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis
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We all know Tom Brady is the leader of this Patriots offense, but he has some new weapons to rely on this year. We've all heard Danny Woodhead's story. College star in the FCS, was on the Jets going into camp and was cut. The Patriots picked him up and the rest is history. Green-Ellis was undrafted out of Ole Miss a few years ago, and really came into his own this season. He finished the season tied for second in the league with 12 rushing touchdowns, and was the first Patriot to run for over 1,000 yards since Corey Dillon's 2004 season. Woodhead is a do it all back. You'll see him carry the ball 10 times in a series, and then see him on the kick off team running down the field making tackles. The Patriots are without old faithful Kevin Faulk this postseason. Faulk has always been Brady's security blanket, and the Patriots will be looking for Woodhead to fill that void. The Patriots will look to establish the run with BenJarvus, and Brady will look to Woodhead for his check downs and screen passes.
Prediction: Woodhead: 55 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards, 1 touchdown. Green-Ellis 95 rushing yards, 1 touchdown.
2010 Divisional Playoffs
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This weekend is sure to be a good one. So kick back with your favorite beverage, and prepare to see some hard hitting football. Enjoy!
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