WIld Card Playoffs 2009: The Stuff You Need To Know and Predictions!

It's finally the most wonderful time of the year. And I'm not talking about Christmas or New Years Day. As Jim Mora would say, we're talking about: "Playoffs!"

I am here to run down the facts, information, and all the stuff you might wanna know about these teams before you insult them and say they are gonna lose by a million. The facts show, anything can happen in the playoffs. Just ask Patriots and Raiders fans. But none the less here we go!

Saturday, Jan. 3. 4:30 PM

Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals in Phoenix, Arizona

This is the first official game of the 2008 playoffs. So whats there to know? The Arizona Cardinals played in a very lackadaisical NFC West Division this year. However, they won all of their division games, earning them their spot in the NFC Playoffs.

The Atlanta Falcons played impressively in the NFC South winning all but one of their home games and showing the NFL that Matt Ryan was all of the hype when they drafted him this season. Now here is the stuff you wanna know!

All of the Arizona Cardinals wins this season have come on the western side of the Mississippi River, meaning, don't expect them to make a serious run if they can't stay near home.

Arizona is 1-4 against this season's playoff teams. Arizona has the second best passing team in the league. That's a good sign. However, they also have the worst running team in the NFL. And that is not good.

Their best bets is to keep the ball in Kurt Warner's hands and have him show off his Pro Bowl Wide Receiving Duo of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.

On the defensive side, they are on the average side. They can slow down the run, but not shown they can stop it 100 percent. They have an average pass defense. They get to the quarterback occasionally but not enough pressure to get the costly interceptions.

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off one of their worst seasons ever. Yet with the phenomenal rookie Matt Ryan leading the way they have shown they are a legit threat to take home the NFC Title this season. They have played strongly this season at home, but played a little bit softer defense on the road.

They are 3-2 against this season's playoff teams and have beaten Minnesota and San Diego on the road. Atlanta's rushing offense attack is to die for with the combo of Turner and Norwood while their passing has maintained to be solid.

Their defense is less than phenomenal but has maintained its groove and played backup to their offense attack. While the offense has helped them win games, their defense has let the games get a little too close.

Expect Matt Ryan to throw for 220 yards and the running game to pound at least 140 yards out of the Cardinals. Expect Kurt Warner to throw for a career-like game. But with a few costly interceptions. I mean, it's not Kurt's fault his team lacks the serious running game to help him out. I predict that Atlanta wins this one 30-24.

Saturday Jan. 3, 8:00 PM

Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers in San Diego, California

This is a regular-season rematch of two teams who truly fought their way back to the playoffs. This game will truly be played with a lot of fight. This may be the most physical game in the playoffs.

I mean, it was just last year where San Diego knocked off Indianapolis in Indianapolis. However unlike last season, what happened to those defenses guys!

San Diego has truly had a miracle. Their season started with the last second heartbreaker to Carolina. And the heartbroken again to Denver the next week. They showed they wanted to be in the playoffs again, and turned up the heat and won in Week 17 crushing the Denver Broncos.

Phillip Rivers is having another career season in San Diego and is showing the New York Giants that he the more dominant throwing quarterback over Eli Manning.

San Diego is lacking its rush defense and pass defense that was completed by Shawn Merriman filling gaps and scaring the quarterback, but they have kept their vertical passing game going and added Darren Sproles to more plays to add some diversity from LaDanian Tomlinson.

The Chargers have maintained an average rush defense but have let quarterbacks have career days against their bad pass defense.

Indianapolis have maintained a strong team even while losing during the beginning of this season. The Colts are 5-1 against playoff teams this season, including wins against the AFC 1 and 2 Seed teams Tennessee and Pittsburgh.

Peyton Manning and the Colts had a very slow start but heated up and haven't looked back and have won nine in a row and 11 of their last 13. And as of lately nobody is questioning their lack of a running game, they are still asking, "How can we stop Peyton Manning?"

The answer is simple: "You can't!" Peyton Manning will have a career game and the Indianapolis Colts will get their revenge against the San Diego Chargers. I honestly would not be the least surprised if Peyton Manning throws for 380 plus yards Saturday against the Chargers.

In fact, if the ball is anywhere near an Indianapolis running back, Tony Dungy is not following the correct game plan. The key to the Chargers is get a running game going early. If they can do that, it will allow for Phillip Rivers and the vertical passing to get going.

Expect Phillip Rivers to get at least two touchdowns and get at least 250 yards. This game could be very high scoring. But I predict the Colts to win this game, 38-34.

Sunday, Jan. 4, 1:00 PM

Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins in Miami, Florida

This will be the battle of the two Cinderella quarterbacks. The story of the lost quarterback who could. Chad Pennington was dropped off at the pound never wanted to be seen again by his former owner and picked up by a lonely and lost owner known as the Miami Dolphins.

Then there is Joe Flacco. The former Mudhen (what's a mudhen?) picked up by the Baltimore Ravens and this rookie has led his team to a phenomenal season. These two faced off in a regular season showdown which had Baltimore beating up on Miami.

Baltimore has one of the best defenses in the league. And the saying goes, you can't win super bowls without a strong defense. With that being said, I guess that explains why the Ravens offense is just average.

Don't get me wrong, Joe Flacco is having a surprisingly good season, stepping in for Kyle Boller (where is his future at now?) after an injury in the preseason and Le'Ron McClain has had a decent season. I mean, he is doing a lot of the running, and he's a fullback.

If this was college basketball, Miami as of now could be the Davidson. I mean after all. Miami has nothing to lose now. They have already gained the respect of all of their fans. They have regained the respect of the NFL, and they have shown that they are legit this season.

Miami could do wonders in the playoffs. The keyword there is "could." As much as I would love to see it, I don't see it happening. Miami's offense runs a college-football-like system using non-traditional formations and plays used to throw the defense off. After all, how many wide receivers can you name on the Dolphins?

They are mainly a running team that uses awkwardness to get their yards. Yes i said it. Awkwardness. Not trickery. But Awkwardness.

Even though Cinderella had a long and wonderful dance, I don't see the Dolphins winning this game at all. The Ravens' defense is way too powerful. Final Score Baltimore 28-16.

Sunday Jan 4, 4:00 PM

Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, Minnesota

It's refreshing to see Minnesota winning the division again for the first time since 2002. Just as it is refreshing seeing the Philadelphia Eagles with a strong team in the playoffs. This game could be the best game in the playoffs as these two teams have played strong as of late.

The Philadelphia Eagles may be the hottest team in football. Just imagine: They put up huge points on Dallas, just to get into the playoffs. What can they possibly have in store IN the playoffs?

Philadelphia has maintained a strong offense and defense as of lately. But they have played very poorly on the road. Donovan McNabb has had a sensational season and turned his whole season around since the tie against Cincinnati. He has made Tim-Tebow-like actions and truly led his team into the playoffs. And with Westbrook healthy, they could be a legit threat.

Minnesota has played solid in their home dome, and Adrian Peterson has helped that out. He leads the league in Rushing yards as of now. Adrian Peterson has been the leader of the team seeing as how we don't even know who the quarterback of the Vikings is anymore.

It could be Frerotte or Jackson, it don't matter. As long as Peterson is behind, to the side, or anywhere on the offensive side of the football, he wont be stopped. On the defense side, don't expect Minnesota's rushing stoppers to be a huge threat. Philadelphia has had problems running the ball all season. I don't expect them to run much on this day.

And if Andy Reid forces it, Minnesota will eat it up all day. Philadelphia needs to focus on the passing game.

While the Eagles are red hot, the Vikings are coming off of a huge morale boost with a Giants win at Home. I would not be surprised to see Peterson rush at least 3 into the end zone. This game will definitely almost 100 percent guaranteed comedown to the last team to have offense on the field will win.

Expect this shootout to lean towards Minnesota. While their run stoppers wont be a threat in the running game. They will distract McNabb enough to get a big interception late in the game. Minnesota wins this game, 38-31.