Spring Break
A weekend of NFL games
John Daly
Issue date: 1/9/09 Section: Sports
The unfortunate return to the first week of classes after the much-too-short holiday season does have at least one or two perks. These few short weeks have been nationally accepted as the most exciting time of the year in sports, with the mayhem of March Madness a close second.
Not only have the last three weeks been packed to the brim with NCAA BCS action, but we are also quickly approaching the NFL's divisional round playoff games - four win-or-go-home matchups of the best the league has to offer, each with a potential to outshine that eventual early February battle named Superbowl XLIII.
Here are this weekend's four NFL playoff games, in order of appearance, with short previews and picks:
AFC Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans: A classic trench-warfare defensive battle. These two teams have strikingly similar attitudes toward football: "We can play longer, hit harder, run faster, throw deeper and coach better than you." Both will bring a powerful defense into play, and this game will have the look of a Backyard Wrestling special. The Titans outlasted the young Ravens early in the season, winning a 13-10 slugfest in week five to take the season series. Each team boasts an oversized offensive line and power running backs, but the defense of the Ravens is to be especially feared. This defense nearly doubled Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington's season turnover total in one game last week. Look for this game to be one of the best of the weekend, as each team is dripping with confidence and ready for heavy action.
Baltimore is a three-point underdog, but they will put the game away on a late, time-consuming drive to win 20-13.
NFC Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers: A fiery and star-powered aerial attack. These two teams have very different season stories. The Panthers won from the onset and eventually punched out the white-hot NFC South to reach the playoffs in style with a first-round bye and home field advantage, whereas the Cardinals won their division early and haven't played an important game until last week. Nevertheless, both teams boast high-powered, star-studded, technical offenses that should produce an entertaining and high-scoring game.
Not only have the last three weeks been packed to the brim with NCAA BCS action, but we are also quickly approaching the NFL's divisional round playoff games - four win-or-go-home matchups of the best the league has to offer, each with a potential to outshine that eventual early February battle named Superbowl XLIII.
Here are this weekend's four NFL playoff games, in order of appearance, with short previews and picks:
AFC Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans: A classic trench-warfare defensive battle. These two teams have strikingly similar attitudes toward football: "We can play longer, hit harder, run faster, throw deeper and coach better than you." Both will bring a powerful defense into play, and this game will have the look of a Backyard Wrestling special. The Titans outlasted the young Ravens early in the season, winning a 13-10 slugfest in week five to take the season series. Each team boasts an oversized offensive line and power running backs, but the defense of the Ravens is to be especially feared. This defense nearly doubled Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington's season turnover total in one game last week. Look for this game to be one of the best of the weekend, as each team is dripping with confidence and ready for heavy action.
Baltimore is a three-point underdog, but they will put the game away on a late, time-consuming drive to win 20-13.
NFC Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers: A fiery and star-powered aerial attack. These two teams have very different season stories. The Panthers won from the onset and eventually punched out the white-hot NFC South to reach the playoffs in style with a first-round bye and home field advantage, whereas the Cardinals won their division early and haven't played an important game until last week. Nevertheless, both teams boast high-powered, star-studded, technical offenses that should produce an entertaining and high-scoring game.
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