Three Point Stance 1.10.09 Division Playoff Match Ups
Posted by Cody Dalton on 01.10.2009
411's Cody Dalton takes a look at this weekend’s AFC and NFC Divisional playoffs in the newest edition of the Three Point Stance!
Thanks everyone for joining me on the second post-season edition of the Three Point Stance. Last week, I took a look at the Wild Card match ups and awarded the final weekly awards of the season. This week, I'm going to look at the divisional match ups and give my season ending awards. With that said, let's take a look at this week's playoff action…
NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
#6 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT #1 NEW YORK GIANTS
Quite possibly the biggest match up in this round is the one between NFC East rivals New York and Philadelphia. The Giants were off last week and probably watched the Eagles win a 26-14 game over the Minnesota Vikings. The Giants can only see themselves of last year in the Eagles of this year. Philadelphia wasn't even supposed to be here and had to have everything go right in order to get in the playoffs.
Key player: Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia
If he can provide big plays for his team, the Eagles have a more then legit shot at beating the defending World Champions.
#4 ARIZONA CARDINALS AT #2 CAROLINA PANTHERS
In what appears to be the most interesting match up the week, the fourth seed Cardinals travel to play the second seeded Carolina Panthers. Kurt Warner played stellar last week against the Falcons and looks to continue his roll. It'll be hard as he meets a tough Carolina defense that could prove to be a handful, both with the pass rush and defensive backs.
Key players: DeAngelo Williams & Jonathan Stewart, RBs, Carolina
If these two can maintain running the ball, the Panthers may be able to control the clock and pick up a win against the Cardinals.
AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
#6 BALTIMORE RAVENS AT #1 TENNESSEE TITANS
The Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens have had some intense match ups in the past. Their rivalry will be renewed this weekend in Nashville in a rematch of Week 5, where the Titans beat the Ravens on their last drive of the game. Will the Titans be so lucky this time? A lot of factors come into play. Can the Titans defense get pressure to the Ravens run attack and Joe Flacco? Will the Ravens be able to shut down Tennessee's "Smash and Dash" and force Kerry Collins make mistakes? The team that can get the most turnovers and the most defensive pressure will win this game.
Key player: Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Week 5, Flacco threw two key interceptions that basically helped the Titans keep their lead. Can he protect the football this time as well as he did against Dallas this year?
#4 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT #2 PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Another AFC rematch has San Diego traveling to Pittsburgh. Week 11 saw the first ever 11-10 finish in NFL history, as the Steelers won the game. The Chargers will have chance for revenge where it counts though. Last week, San Diego pulled out an overtime victory over the Colts. Now the Chargers look to take out the second seed and get that much closer to Super Bowl XLIII. I'm sure Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison & Company will have something to say about that.
Key player: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh
Every year that Steelers have been at home with Ben, the Steelers have lost. The one year they won with him and won Super Bowl XL, they were a road team. Can Ben avoid mistakes and lead the Steelers to a playoff win and AFC Championship Game appearance?
TPS PLAYERS OF THE WILD CARD
OFFENSIVE: Darren Sproles, RB, San Diego Chargers
Sproles had 105 rushing yards, 2 TD, 5 catches, 45 yards, 178 return yards in the Chargers 23-17 overtime victory over the Colts. His 328 total yards is third most in NFL post-season history.
Rodgers-Cromartie picked off Atlanta's Matt Ryan in the end zone to help keep the Cardinals in the lead. He would also contribute 10 tackles and helped the Cards advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Until then…
Cody Dalton's book on sale now! "Sideline Warriors: The Greatest Sports Coaches and Managers of All Time" – http://www.lulu.com/content/2003212
