New Orleans Saints (11-5) vs. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)

Ranks

Offense
Saints – 6th
Seahawks – 28th

Defense
Saints – 4th
Seahawks – 27th

With the way those rankings look, you would think this will be a one sided affair.  It never is in the NFL.  8-8 teams have made it to the Super Bowl and it does seem impossible that a 7-9 team will do that.  I’m not here to say Seattle will run the table, but there are players on their roster that were on that 2005 team.  First and foremost is their starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.  If his game is up to par, the Seahawks might have a chance in this game.  Their defense plays at another level at Qwest Field.  A lot of folks say that is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL.
Now a lot will have to happen for Seattle to have an edge in this game.  New Orleans is the defending champions and last I checked they still have a healthy quarterback in Drew Brees.  If he is the Drew Brees of last postseason, and not the turnover prone quarterback of the regular season, the Saints will be in good hands.  The Saints rushing attack will take a hit with Pierre Thomas and Christopher Ivory both out for the rest of the playoffs.  Reggie Bush will get an extra load of work the rest of the way which could be good and bad at the same time.  The Saints should be the favorites, but don’t expect a blowout.

Matchup to watch for: New Orleans Saints D vs. Matt Hasselbeck

New York Jets (11-5) vs. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

Ranks

Offense
Jets – 11th
Colts – 4th

Defense
Jets – 3rd
Colts – 20th

The talk all week has been what Jets head coach Rex Ryan’s defensive scheme will be against Peyton Manning the 7th time around.  In case you don’t know, Peyton is 6-1 all-time against a Rex Ryan coached defense.  Not many coaches can say they have a winning record against him.  The Jets do have additional weapons at their disposal this year.  Antonio Cromartie will help opposite Darrelle Revis and Jason Taylor will be a big help rushing the edge.  It all comes down to the offense for the Jets.  Which Mark Sanchez will show up?  The one who was 30 minutes away from beating Peyton a year ago or the one who was nearly benched a few times in the regular season?
Not has Peyton shaken the rust from mid-season, he has a running game to help take the pressure off his arm.  Is it just me or should the Colts have never let Dominic Rhodes go after winning Super 41?  He was a big help while Joseph Addai was out and with Addai back, the Colts have a two-headed attack in the ground game.  The Colts still have a shaky defense, but they have overcome that fact before and this is a relatively easy task for them.  Make Mark Sanchez beat you.  That will be their gameplan going into Sunday night.

Matchup to watch for: NY Jets D vs. Peyton Manning

Baltimore Ravens (12-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)

Ranks

Offense
Ravens – 22nd
Chiefs – 12th

Defense
Ravens – 10th
Chiefs – 14th

This is a trap game for both teams.  The Baltimore Ravens have an impressive 6-3 road playoff record since they drafted their defensive captain Ray Lewis.  They weren’t spectacular on the road overall this year (5-3), but they finished the season winning 7 of their last 9 (3-1 on the road).  Joe Flacco has more experience in the playoffs than most quarterbacks at his age.  That bodes well for the Ravens stagnant offense overall, but Flacco has more weapons at his disposal this time around (Boldin, Houshmandzadeh, Stallworth).
Matt Cassell hasn’t started a playoff game nor appeared in one.  He’s watched playoff games with New England, but it’s hard to see him step into the ring firing on all cylinders.  Kansas City was 7-1 at home this year, but their last home was a debacle against division rival Oakland.  That was a troubling sign that should bode well for the Ravens.  However, the Chiefs have bounced back from tough stretches this year.  They have to establish the run early and often to open up their passing attack.  Baltimore’s defense isn’t an elite defense and has their flaws in the passing game.  The Chiefs should be favored, but Baltimore has the experience and the attitude to win on the road.

Matchup to watch for: Ray Lewis vs. Thomas Jones & Jamaal Charles

Green Bay Packers (10-6) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

Ranks

Offense
Packers – 9th
Eagles – 2nd

Defense
Packers – 5th
Eagles – 12th

I like seeing rematches in the playoffs.  Green Bay squeaked out a victory in Week 1 against the same Philadelphia Eagles, but it was with Kevin Kolb as the starting quarterback for the Eagles.  Green Bay has been consistently good when Aaron Rodgers is on his game or in the lineup.  He has recovered from his late season concussion and will be looking to get out of the Wild Card this time around.  He couldn’t defeat the Arizona Cardinals in a overtime shootout last year, but this matchup is sure to be a defensive stalwart.  The Packers want to control the ball more, but it will be difficult without a sure fire back to hand it off to.
The Eagles had their season’s fortune change thanks to the Green Bay Packers after the first game.  With Kevin Kolb concussed Michael Vick stepped into the starting role and the Eagles never looked back.  Now it’s no coincidence that having DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy have made Vick’s transition to becoming the starting quarterback so much easier.  Those three will have to be involved early and often for the Eagles to keep Rodgers and his weapons off the field.  The other problem has been the Eagles lack of pass protection against the blitz.  That bodes well for the Packers blitz happy attack which is sure to exploit it and force the Eagles into long conversion opportunities.

Matchup to watch for: Green Bay Packers D vs. Michael Vick

Predicitons

Saints over Seahawks

Colts over Jets

Ravens over Chiefs

Packers over Eagles