Of the four NFC teams matching up this wildcard weekend, the New Orleans Saints (11–5) and Philadelphia Eagles (10–6) figure to be the favorites in their games against the Seattle Seahawks (7–9) and Green Bay Packers (10–6) respectively. However, as is the common theme of the NFL, on any given day any team could win.
New Orleans Saints (fifth seed) at Seattle Seahawks (fourth seed)
Saturday’s game between the Saints and Seahawks pits the defending Super Bowl champion Saints against the worst team to ever advance to the postseason in the Seahawks.
While posing neither a defense (ranked 25th in points allowed) nor offense (ranked 23rd in scoring) that intimidated opponents during the regular season, what Seattle does have working in their favor is the home field advantage led by their infamous, raucous fans, collectively known as the 12th Man.
Another factor aiding Seattle is the fact that New Orleans has several key players listed as questionable—star safety Malcolm Jenkins (knee), running back Chris Ivory (foot), and tight end Jimmy Graham (ankle).
Other notable Saints players battling injuries are tight end Jeremy Shockey (groin), wide receiver Marques Colston (knee), and running back Pierre Thomas (ankle). Shockey and Colston are both confirmed to play though to what extent their injuries affect their performance is unknown.
For the Seahawks to stand a chance in this game, their defense must slow down a formidable offense led by last year’s Super Bbowl MVP quarterback Drew Brees and their offense must find a way to score against a stingy New Orleans defense (ranked seventh in points allowed).
Leading Seattle’s offense will be Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck is a savvy veteran with playoff experience but Charlie Whitehurst, who played in the win against the St. Louis Rams, has the stronger arm and can stretch the Saints defense more effectively.
Look for Hasselbeck to pair up with rising star receiver Mike Williams early and often. Against the Saints on Nov. 21, Williams scorched their secondary catching six passes for 109 yards.
Seattle’s rushing game is definitely the unit’s weak link, ranked second to last in the league (89 yards per game).
When New Orleans goes on the attack, Brees will be leading a powerful passing game that ranked third in the NFL in yards per game (289.8 yards) and 11th in scoring (24 points per game). He also put up very respectable numbers (4,620 passing yards, 33 touchdowns).
When Brees is in a rhythm he is nearly impossible to stop, especially when paired with Colston who racked up 1,023 receiving yards.
If New Orleans has a weak spot, it could be their running game, which generated only 94.9 yards per game during the regular season. Should Ivory or Thomas not be able to play, their backups are former Seahawk Julius Jones and Reggie Bush.
Regardless of the injuries and crowd noise at Qwest Field, Brees feels confident in his team’s chances, saying on www.neworleanssaints.com, “This is what you play for. This is a new opportunity. I feel like we have just as good of a chance as anybody because I know what we are capable of.”
Game time: Saturday, 4:30 ET at Qwest Field
Next: The NFC Wildcard matchup has the Packers visiting the Eagles in the tough confines of Philly.
While posing neither a defense (ranked 25th in points allowed) nor offense (ranked 23rd in scoring) that intimidated opponents during the regular season, what Seattle does have working in their favor is the home field advantage led by their infamous, raucous fans, collectively known as the 12th Man.
Another factor aiding Seattle is the fact that New Orleans has several key players listed as questionable—star safety Malcolm Jenkins (knee), running back Chris Ivory (foot), and tight end Jimmy Graham (ankle).
Other notable Saints players battling injuries are tight end Jeremy Shockey (groin), wide receiver Marques Colston (knee), and running back Pierre Thomas (ankle). Shockey and Colston are both confirmed to play though to what extent their injuries affect their performance is unknown.
For the Seahawks to stand a chance in this game, their defense must slow down a formidable offense led by last year’s Super Bbowl MVP quarterback Drew Brees and their offense must find a way to score against a stingy New Orleans defense (ranked seventh in points allowed).
Leading Seattle’s offense will be Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck is a savvy veteran with playoff experience but Charlie Whitehurst, who played in the win against the St. Louis Rams, has the stronger arm and can stretch the Saints defense more effectively.
Look for Hasselbeck to pair up with rising star receiver Mike Williams early and often. Against the Saints on Nov. 21, Williams scorched their secondary catching six passes for 109 yards.
Seattle’s rushing game is definitely the unit’s weak link, ranked second to last in the league (89 yards per game).
When New Orleans goes on the attack, Brees will be leading a powerful passing game that ranked third in the NFL in yards per game (289.8 yards) and 11th in scoring (24 points per game). He also put up very respectable numbers (4,620 passing yards, 33 touchdowns).
When Brees is in a rhythm he is nearly impossible to stop, especially when paired with Colston who racked up 1,023 receiving yards.
If New Orleans has a weak spot, it could be their running game, which generated only 94.9 yards per game during the regular season. Should Ivory or Thomas not be able to play, their backups are former Seahawk Julius Jones and Reggie Bush.
Regardless of the injuries and crowd noise at Qwest Field, Brees feels confident in his team’s chances, saying on www.neworleanssaints.com, “This is what you play for. This is a new opportunity. I feel like we have just as good of a chance as anybody because I know what we are capable of.”
Game time: Saturday, 4:30 ET at Qwest Field
Next: The NFC Wildcard matchup has the Packers visiting the Eagles in the tough confines of Philly.
Green Bay Packers (sixth seed) at Philadelphia Eagles (third seed)
The second NFC Wildcard matchup has the Packers visiting the Eagles in the tough confines of Philly. However, the Packers could pose a serious threat to the Eagles home-field dominance.
Instructed by Dom Capers, one of the game’s best defensive minds, Green Bay’s defense (ranked second in points allowed) has a knack for putting plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and racked up an amazing 47 sacks in 2010.
Only one other team in the league had more, the Pittsburgh Steelers with 48.
Led by defensive end Cullen Jenkins and linebacker Clay Matthews, the Packers defense will do its best to contain Michael Vick and a Philly offense (ranked third overall) that averaged 27.4 points and 389.4 total yards per game.
Of course, playing in his first playoff game since 2005 and coming on the heels of an incredible comeback season, Vick will be out to prove himself.
The multi-talented quarterback amassed 3,018 passing yards and rushed for 676 yards in 2010—once outside the pocket, Vick’s elusiveness makes him the deadliest scrambler in the league.
Green Bay’s defense must also find a way to slow down speedy wide receiver DeSean Jackson (1,056 receiving yards) who is a favorite target of Vick.
On the team’s official website, www.packers.com, All-Pro cornerback Charles Woodson spoke about stopping Philly, “We have to do a good job of not letting Vick hit us for big gains and hitting his guys down the field, which they like to do. We have to put a stop to that. If we do those couple of things, we’ll fare pretty well.”
A definite area of concern for the Pack could be special teams where they will be facing one of the NFL’s scariest returners in Jackson.
If both defenses play well and the game turns into a shootout, Green Bay’s hopes might ride on the throwing arm of quarterback Aaron Rodgers who, like Vick, had a great season and shows incredible poise in the pocket.
Rodgers ranked third overall and threw for 3,922 passing yards and 28 touchdowns.
Facing a fearsome Philly blitzing defense, and one that thrives at home, the Packers must do everything they can to protect Rodgers and keep him upright.
Game time: Sunday, 4:30 ET at Lincoln Financial Field
Instructed by Dom Capers, one of the game’s best defensive minds, Green Bay’s defense (ranked second in points allowed) has a knack for putting plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and racked up an amazing 47 sacks in 2010.
Only one other team in the league had more, the Pittsburgh Steelers with 48.
Led by defensive end Cullen Jenkins and linebacker Clay Matthews, the Packers defense will do its best to contain Michael Vick and a Philly offense (ranked third overall) that averaged 27.4 points and 389.4 total yards per game.
Of course, playing in his first playoff game since 2005 and coming on the heels of an incredible comeback season, Vick will be out to prove himself.
The multi-talented quarterback amassed 3,018 passing yards and rushed for 676 yards in 2010—once outside the pocket, Vick’s elusiveness makes him the deadliest scrambler in the league.
Green Bay’s defense must also find a way to slow down speedy wide receiver DeSean Jackson (1,056 receiving yards) who is a favorite target of Vick.
On the team’s official website, www.packers.com, All-Pro cornerback Charles Woodson spoke about stopping Philly, “We have to do a good job of not letting Vick hit us for big gains and hitting his guys down the field, which they like to do. We have to put a stop to that. If we do those couple of things, we’ll fare pretty well.”
A definite area of concern for the Pack could be special teams where they will be facing one of the NFL’s scariest returners in Jackson.
If both defenses play well and the game turns into a shootout, Green Bay’s hopes might ride on the throwing arm of quarterback Aaron Rodgers who, like Vick, had a great season and shows incredible poise in the pocket.
Rodgers ranked third overall and threw for 3,922 passing yards and 28 touchdowns.
Facing a fearsome Philly blitzing defense, and one that thrives at home, the Packers must do everything they can to protect Rodgers and keep him upright.
Game time: Sunday, 4:30 ET at Lincoln Financial Field
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