Wild Card Recap/Divisional Playoff Preview:

Last Week:
Vs. W/L: (2-2)
Vs. Spread: (2-2)
Vs. Aggregate (1-3)

Was Indy robbed last week? A couple of those calls against the defense that led to the Chargers’ tying field goal were questionable, though it looked like Indy had San Diego on the ropes and let them slip through. The Falcons were flat in Arizona, which was somewhat of a surprise but the Cards play well at home. The Ravens and Eagles played well, as was expected. The Dolphins “Cinderella Run” hit the midnight wall and they played like pumpkins and the Vikes, they need a quarterback and a coach, and that right soon. It’s a long season; congratulations to all of the teams that made it this far. Now we’re down to the final eight.

At Tennessee -3 Ravens 34.5

Albert Haynesworth has knee issues coming into this one, which makes the Titans susceptible to the run. The Ravens’ are playing very well, though they have some injury problems at wide receiver. This ought to be a great matchup: a very good ball control offense against a rock tough defense. The defining difference between these teams is at quarterback. Rookie Joe Flacco (who had a nice game in his first playoff game) goes against graybeard Kerry Collins, who has been around the track a time or two in January. The experience factor is what propels the Titans to the AFC Championship.

Projected Final Score: Tennessee 20, Ravens 16

At Carolina -10 Arizona 48.5

If we counted the aggregate points allowed by the Cardinals in their games played in the Eastern Time Zone this year, we’d be counting all night. Rarely has a playoff team played so badly as have the Cardinals this year. Where is there any evidence to suggest that this trip East will be any different? Last week, they capitalized on the mistakes of a relatively inexperienced team. This week, it’s going to be a much different story. The Panthers should have success with the ground game and time of possession. The only way that Arizona can keep pace is for Warner to put the ball in the air all afternoon. It could work then again, theoretically pigs can fly…

Projected Final Score: Carolina 27, Arizona 16

At NY Giants -4 Philadelphia 40

The last time these teams met the Iggles had the upper hand. This time, who knows? The G-Men sort of limped to the finish line this year while Philly is playing at a level reminiscent of the Giants last year. Everyone knows that the Giants are a formidable bunch, but injuries to guys like Tuck and Jacobs have to hurt. Though both will play, their effectiveness is open to question. Both teams feature compelling story lines. The Giants want to defend their title at the Big Dance while Reid, McNabb & Co. want another chance to grab the brass ring. This time, Philly has the momentum of a train barreling downhill and they prevail in a close game.

Projected Final Score: Philadelphia 21, NY Giants 20.

At Pittsburgh -6 San Diego 38

The sands of time will run out for the Chargers somewhere around 7:00 on Sunday. Sproles and Bennett gave San Diego a tremendous boost after Tomlinson went down with a groin injury last week. Sproles may have had success stretching the field last week, but there is no way that Coach Tomlin is going to allow him the same opportunity this week. Besides, a certain Mr. Harrison is going to have a big say in things on the defense. Two weeks ago, Big Ben was carted off the field with a concussion after getting the old hi-lo sack treatment from the Browns. If there was one criticism of the coach, it was that he allowed his quarterback to play in a meaningless situation at a critical juncture of the season. Rothlisberger will play on Sunday, but the effects of getting his brains scrambled have to be a great concern. There are so many of those hits a quarterback can take in a career, as was evidenced by Young and Aikman…Can the Chargers win? Sure, they have big guns on offense but the Steelers are at home where they’ll be motivated by the loud n’ proud home crowd and fully prepared to knock off the Chargers.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 24, San Diego 17