NFL Playoff Preview

The road to the Super Bowl begins this weekend including three repeat matchups from last week. Any of this week's winners will have to go on the road if they want to play in the Big Game, but the 2009 Cardinals, 2008 Giants and 2006 Steelers all did that recently.

The AFC looks like a two-horse race but any of the six NFC teams has potential to put together a nice playoff run; it's hard to pick a favorite.

Here's a preview of how each team and my rating (1-5 stars) on their chances to hoist the Lombardi trophy.

AFC

Baltimore Ravens(6 seed)
They have a great ground game led by Ray Rice. Last year they made it to the AFC Championship by relying on that groung game and Flacco playing mistake-free football. They have a lot of blowout wins against the pit of the NFL that really pad their overall team stats. Like the Pats, the defense is spotty and Ed Reed won't play much. This is an emotional team and emotion often leads to mistakes like penalties and poor decisions.
Their chances: ** Ray Lewis leads this team that won playoff games last year. But even after Brady's Pats they would face Peyton's Colts, awful matchups for a depleted secondary, and both teams have beaten the Ravens already this season.

New York Jets (5 seed)
The Jets had the #1 ranked defense and #1 ranked running game this season, which sounds like the perfect recipe for a Super Bowl contender. Revis Island is a lonely place for a wide receiver. Rex Ryan proclaimed his team as the Super Bowl favorite, which definitely raised some eyebrows, but why not? The New York Jets have been losers for 40 years, a coach with some optimism is a breath of fresh air. And they have beated the Colts, Patriots, and Bengals this season, whatever the situation was. They also won 4 of their last 6 games, including a completely dominating performance last Sunday. The only thing holding back the Jets is probably the most important factor: one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL, rookie Mark Sanchez. In the Jets 9 losses he threw 17 interceptions to 6 touchdowns.
Their chances: *** The key is to keep Sanchez from throwing away the game; sad but true. I give no hope for him leading a comeback. Unfortunately, that philosophy can only get you so far.

Cincinnati Bengals (4 seed)
Bengals have a decent QB, decent RB, decent receivers, and decent defense. Really no edge anywhere. They have no momentum (lost 3 of last 4), and got shut down by the Jets last week. Offense has underachieved all year.
Their chances: * There is no reason to expect this team wins two games.

New England Patriots(3 seed)
Brady, Belichek and Moss are still intact, but the biggest headline from last week was the loss of Wes Welker, possibly their most important player. They are counting on Julian Edelman to be a Welker clone. The running game is actually pretty good and deep with Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk all healthy. This is the worst defense of any recent Patriot team, especially against the pass.
Their chances: *** It has been one of the worst coaching seasons for Belichek, but with him and Brady they aren't out until they are out.

San Diego Chargers (2 seed)
They haven't been to the Super Bowl in fifteen years but they win a lot of playoff games. Rivers is a strong MVP candidate and a good leader. Sproles is electric and LT is LT, even if he's a little older. The Chargers scored at least 20 points in every game this season. They have the longest winning streak in the NFL at 11 games. Even their second team can win a game.
Their chances: ***** They would have to win in Indy, but that doesn't scare them.

Indianapolis Colts (1 seed)
Peyton Manning plays on their team, maybe you've heard of him. They lost the last two and have a bye so there is no momentum, but the extra rest will be good for the banged up Colts. They can't depend on their ground game but still went 14-0 with it. History doesn't bode well for the Colts in a season like this where they started hot and finished conservatively.
Their chances: ***** Home field throughout, with 18 throughout they have as good a chance as anybody.

NFC

Philadelphia Eagles (6 seed)
This was my Super Bowl pick a couple weeks ago but that blowout in Dallas makes me think again. They have the weapons to be as explosive as any team with DeSean Jackson, Maclin, Celek, Westbrook, and McCoy with McNabb but all of a sudden they look vulnerable. Also, the defense isn't very good. They can still win via the big play and I'd like to see Andy Reid utilize Michael Vick into the offense somehow.
Their chances: ** They have zero wins against playoff teams, including two losses to the Cowboys. Had they won in Week 17 I'd give them 5 stars. McNabb is one of the NFL's biggest chokers, I'm sorry to say, but he's also been in more big games than anybody else.

Green Bay Packers (5 seed)
They were two inches away from winning the last 8 in a row. And in the last 7 games Aaron Rodgers was only sacked 9 times compared to 41 times in the first 9 games, so the o-line has improved dramatically this season. Lots of quality players at the skill positions on offense. The defense ranked #1 against the run and, led by upcoming Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson, was tops in the league with 30interceptions. However, they also gave up 500+ yards to Ben Roethlisberger a few weeks ago. That makes for an interesting matchup against Kurt Warner who can throw for 400 yards or 4 picks.
Their chances: *** Two losses against the Vikings, but they likely wouldn't face them again until the NFC Championship game. I don't like teams that commit a lot of penalties, but they are really on a roll and could make a nice run. They showed they can win in Arizona already.

Arizona Cardinals (4 seed)
The most unpredictable team in the NFL. They have one of the most potent offenses, but scored 21 or less in all six losses. They are dealing with two important injuries to Rogers-Cromartie and Anquan Boldin. Facing the stiff Packers run defense, they will likely have to rely on Kurt Warner's air game.
Their chances: ** They won three playoff games last year. The blowout loss to the Packers should be a good wake-up call. They just aren't consistent enough to repeat as NFC champions this year.

Dallas Cowboys (3 seed)
If you forget their history and just look at what they have put together this season there's a lot to be excited for. Romo has been fantastic, Austin Miles is as good as TO without the distractions, the ground game is solid, and they have dealt with fewer injuries than any other team. They have back-to-back shutouts and a 3rd win in a row before that against the then-undefeated Saints.
Their chances: **** Neither Romo nor Wade Phillips have won a playoff game before, despite good regular season success. Roy Williams drops a million passes. However, they have a chance to sweep the Eagles in Dallas. They seem to be the only team that knows how to shut down DeSean Jackson and that's good news for Big D. This looks like it could be their year.

Minnesota Vikings (2 seed)
Blowing out the Giants was a good tune-up for this team who seemed to peak too early. We don't really know what team to expect after the bye, the team that shut down the Giants and Bengals, or the team that got beat by the Cardinals, Panthers and Bears in December? Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the playoffs and just needs to hold onto the football. Brett has the weapons to throw to in Rice, Harin, and Shiancoe.
Their chances: *** If they rely on the ground game and don't fumble, they will win. Success on the ground will open up big plays in the passing game. And if Favre doesn't make poor decisions throwing the ball, they will win. Unfortunately, I'm betting he will throw some costly interceptions and they will end up like the Bears' game. How much should you expect from the 40-year-old QB in January?

New Orleans Saints (1 seed)
Things were looking mighty good after 13 straight wins, but 3 straight poor performances to finish the season raises every other team's hopes. The ball bounced the Saints' way every time this season and that kind of luck doesn't happen in the playoffs. But anyway, Brees and Co. are really good.
Their chances: *** They get homefield throughout, but the Saints look very vulnerable right now. However, a performance like they had against New England will beat anybody.