After Wild Card weekend kicked off with three double-digit victories, NFL fans were treated to a thrilling Wild Card finale as the Cardinals upended the Packers 51-45 in an NFC playoff matchup that won’t soon be forgotten.
Now that Wild Card weekend is in the rear view mirror, it is time for the divisional round. With NFC and AFC championship game berths at stake, all four contests this weekend should be filled with plenty of intensity from start to finish.
Saturday, 2:30 p.m. MST
ARIZONA CARDINALS (10-6) at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (13-3)
TV: FOX
Why You Should Watch: Fresh off a dramatic 51-45 overtime win over the Packers in an instant-classic Wild Card matchup last Sunday in Arizona, the defending NFC-champion Cardinals look to keep their playoff momentum rolling when they square off with the NFC’s No.1 seed, the Saints, at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Anyone with an infatuation for high-scoring games should be glued to their televisions for this showdown. With Kurt Warner firing on all cylinders in the opening round of the playoffs, Green Bay’s defense had no answers for Arizona’s offensive unit — surrendering 531 total yards and forcing the Cardinals to punt only on one occasion.
In that same game, the Cardinals defense had just as much trouble slowing down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers once the Green and Gold got settled into the game. Now, after giving up six touchdowns to the Packers, the Cardinals face a New Orleans offense that averaged a league-high 31.9 points per game this season and also scored a league-high 510 points in 16 regular season games.
While the offensive firepower that will be on display is reason enough to watch, fans across the NFL will get an opportunity to see if the Saints can regain their regular-season mojo, which disappeared over the final few weeks of the season. When New Orleans jumped out to a 13-0 start, rumblings about a possible undefeated season began to surface. But the Saints proceeded to lose their final three regular season games, including a last-second Week 15 home loss to 3-13 Tampa Bay.
Keep An Eye On: QB Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals. To Kurt Warner, age is just a number. On the same weekend that rumors surfaced that the 38-year-old signal caller might retire after the 2009 postseason, Warner put together one of the best playoff performances of his career, completing 29-of-33 passes for 379 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. Warner was the catalyst to Arizona’s Super Bowl appearance last postseason, throwing for 1,147 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead the Cardinals to within moments of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Another strong playoff performance by the veteran on Sunday and Arizona could be headed to its second straight NFC Championship game.
Saturday, 6:15 p.m. MST
BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-7) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (14-2)
TV: NBC
Why You Should Watch: Riding high after an impressive upset victory at New England on Sunday, the Ravens head to Indianapolis to take on a well-rested Colts team in the divisional round at Lucas Oil Stadium. Baltimore exploded onto the 2009 playoff scene when Ray Rice raced through a hole for an 83-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage against the Patriots. Soon after, the Ravens owned a 24-0 lead heading into the second quarter and the game really was never in question after that point. The Ravens knocked off a Patriots team that was undefeated at Gillette Stadium in 2009 and also handed Tom Brady his first home playoff loss in the process.
One week after facing off against one of the game’s most established quarterbacks, the Ravens take on another in the divisional round, in league MVP Peyton Manning. As efficient as quarterbacks are built, Manning threw for 4,500 yards during the regular season and led the league with 33 touchdowns — the most to his name since his 49-touchdown effort in 2004.
The Ravens allow 16.3 points per game, but something tells us that a banged up Baltimore secondary will be in for a tough test. Going up against the likes of Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie and Dallas Clark, Ravens QB Joe Flacco will have to do much more than complete 4-of-10 passes for 34 yards with interception — as was the case last Sunday in New England — for John Harbaugh’s team to pull out a second-consecutive road victory.
Keep An Eye On: Rice. The Ravens rushed the ball 52 times against the Patriots, netting 234 yards and four touchdowns for their efforts. More than half of that production came from Rice, who amassed 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, including his stadium-silencing touchdown scamper to start the contest. That output should come as little surprise, however, as the 22-year-old has put together game-changing performances all season long. Going up against a Colts defense that gives up 126.5 rushing yards per game, Rice should be in position for another big day on the ground. Also, watch the speedster as a receiving threat out of the backfield — he caught 78 passes for 702 yards during the regular season.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. MST
DALLAS COWBOYS (11-5) at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (12-4)
TV: FOX
Why You Should Watch: The Cowboys head to Minnesota full of optimism and firing on all cylinders. And rightfully so. By beating the Eagles for the second time in as many weeks and the third time this season, Dallas recorded its first playoff victory since 1996. Now, Tony Romo and company — winners of four straight overall — are looking to make a prolonged postseason run after ending that 13-year streak.
Standing in their way is a Minnesota team that is undefeated at the Metrodome in 2009 and eager to make it to its first NFC championship game since 2001, when the Vikings got destroyed by the New York Giants, 41-0. Speaking of nightmarish NFC Championship games against the Giants, quarterback Brett Favre’s last playoff appearance came against New York in 2007. In that game, an overtime interception by Favre led to a heartbreaking Packers loss. Since that moment, Favre has strived to return to the postseason in two different uniforms. Now, fit with an explosive running back — Adrian Peterson — and a stout defense, the 40-year-old gunslinger is hopeful his 19th NFL season ends with a Super Bowl victory.
While much will be made about Romo, a Wisconsin native, going head-to-head with his childhood idol, Favre, the game could very well come down to which team can establish the run more effectively. Anchored by Peterson, the Vikings average 119.9 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, Dallas’ triple-headed ground game, featuring Marion Barber, Tashard Choice and Felix Jones, amassed 131.4 rushing yards per game during the regular season and 198 rushing yards against Philadelphia on Wild Card weekend. And while Peterson might be thought of in many circles as the most explosive running back to take to the turf on Sunday, watch out out for Jones, who notched a 73-yard third-quarter touchdown run against the Eagles and can also change the game in a blink of an eye.
Keep An Eye On: DeMarcus Ware. Banged up at the end of the regular season after suffering a neck sprain against San Diego in mid-December, Ware looked plenty healthy against the Eagles on Wild Card weekend, notching two sacks and forcing a fumble to set the tone for a stellar defensive effort by the Cowboys. The fifth-year pro from Troy, who recorded 11 sacks during the regular season, should have an intriguing matchup all game long against Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie.
Sunday, 2:40 p.m. MST
NEW YORK JETS (9-7) at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (13-3)
TV: CBS
Why You Should Watch: New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan’s playoff prediction vs. San Diego’s 11-game winning streak. After securing the final AFC playoff spot, Ryan didn’t hesitate to showcase the confidence he has in his team — saying he believed his team should be favored in every postseason game it plays this year.
Ryan’s players certainly backed that confidence level on Wild Card weekend, playing heady football on both sides of the ball and defeating the Bengals 24-14 in Cincinnati. On offense, the Jets rushed 41 times for 171 yards with two touchdowns, while rookie Mark Sanchez executed play-action passes to perfection and finished 12-of-15 for 182 yards with a touchdown pass. Defensively, New York limited Carson Palmer to 146 passing yards.
After starting the season 2-3, the Chargers won their final 11 regular season games, including three victories over 2009 playoff teams — the Eagles, Cowboys and Bengals. During that impressive run, San Diego proved it can win in a variety of ways. Sandwiched between an array of blowout victories, Norv Turner’s squad squeaked out a 21-20 road win at the Giants in Week 9, a 20-17 road win at Dallas in Week 14, a 27-24 win home win against Cincinnati in Week 15 and a 23-20 home win over Washington in the team’s regular-season finale in Week 17.
Keep An Eye On: CB Darrelle Revis, New York Jets. Revis is swiftly becoming recognized as one of the best cover corners in the NFL — if not the premier defensive back in all of football. The 2009 Pro Bowl selection shut down Chad Ochocinco on Sunday, limiting the big-play wideout to just two receptions for 28 yards, and notching an interception for his secondary efforts. During the regular season, Revis recorded six interceptions. The third-year pro will face another stiff challenge this weekend, going up against Vincent Jackson, who had 68 catches for 1,167 receiving yards in 2009.
NOTE: Prior to Sunday’s game in San Diego, 32 young football players from around the country will compete in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick National Finals. Three kids from the state of Colorado will be on hand to participate in the finals of the competition: Jordan Remley from Arvada, CO (Girls 10-11 age group), Mikala Gordon, Pueblo, CO (Girls 14-15) and Zach Hooker, Fort Collins, CO (Boys 12-13).
– Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: 2009 Playoffs, Brett Favre, Divisional Round, Drew Brees, Joe Flacco, Kurt Warner, Mark Sanchez, NFL, Peyton Manning, Philp Rivers, Tony Romo
i like OG Mike Iupati. He is a massive guard 6’4 330 range. good for a power running scheme. He could be like Shaun Andrews or Glen Davis. Just a thought
I’ve seen the list of 2010 Bronco hame and away games (sans dates) several time but have never been able to write them down. Anybody know that list?
Wow!!! Colts really hammered the Ravens!!
Geez I was hoping these games would be close; hoping the Jets at least keep it close later today otherwise its going to follow the same pattern: game over before 2nd half starts.
J-E-T-S….JETS! JETS! JETS!!!!!
GO AND KILL THOSE CHARGIRLS FOR ALL OF US BRONCO FANS!!!!!!!
i think we should take cj spiller in the draft though if he goes first round right away dont take him. he is fast and a kick returner and can make multiple players miss. he is like leon washington. we need to keep brandon marshall too cuz he is a beast. we need to cut simms and have brandstater be our number 2 so when orton hurts his ankle he can show us what he’s got (orton has injured his ankle in past 2 or more seasons)
forgot to put that we should get rolando mcclain then if we keep bmarsh we will have a beast on o and a beast on d
J.E.T.S. – jets,jets,jets. Poor ole Chargers let their big mouths overload their asses.LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO BRONCOS 2010
Go Colts superbowl champs.
wow the jets over the chargers and what about shonn Green showin the nfl what my homestate Iowa Hawkeyes are all about sadly i don’t think the jets will beat indy cuz indy beat ravens who have an even better d and rushing attack but wow hopefully jets go to the superbowl
Should have traded up for Sanchez
Prediction:
-Chargers will never win a super bowl with Philip Rivers as quarterback. –Ladanian Tomilison will never get a super bowl ring.
Good job to the jets I really like darrell revis he is a great corner.
Go Broncos 2010.
HA HA! Hey Chargers, How is that all pro kicker working out for ya? Did you see LT head straight for the locker room? He is such a sore loser. Reminds of the playoff game against NE a couple years ago…
Its hard to predict how our draft position will work out. The impending trades of Scheff and Marshall can dramatically alter our position.
Whats this I hear about DJ Williams falling out of favor with McHoodie? Great! I still wish we would have drafted Steven Jackson that year!
Whats the chance we can trade for him??? lol just wishing
How funny would it be to see the Vikes and old man Favre against the Jets in the superbowl!!!
So I read an article in the Denver Post about Woody Paige predicting another 8-8 season. He is really starting to annoy me.
Awesome, we have an away game in London! On Halloween as well. If I wasnt set on going to Vegas in November, I might just have made an overseas trip. Thats a funny thought though…Hooligans and Football. American style
One and done for San Diego, God I love it!! All those division titles mean squat. Keep running your Rivers.
what happened with D.J. and mchoodie?
I TOLD YOU GUYS THAT THE JETS WOULD WIN!!!! I DONT KNOW WHY SOME OF YOU WERE EVEN THINKING THAT THE DOLTS COULD GET THROUGH THE NO.1 D IN THE LEAGUE. SHAME ON YOU FOR EVEN ROOTING FOR THE DOLTS!!!!
Im so very happy the Cowboys lost and the Chargers.Broncos are two good d_linemen away from a super bowl.may be they can get Mc Nabb to go with Mc Daniels that would be grate.
Ya what’s this about D.J and coach?
I knew the jets will win…some teams just stack up better agaisnt others and the JETS stack up well against the Colts….I want the Colts to go…MAnnign get another Ring…he has been the best for so long and only 2 rings is unworthy. Plus the JETs suck in, in our place and they aint ready for the super bowl. They match well against the colts but the Colts wont be sitting starters this game….Colts V Saints….glad the posers are out (Cowgirls and Dolts)
GO BRONCOS IN TWENTY-TEN
No CJ spiller
Are u kidding me? not with our first pick we dont…..but its McD…wouldnt be surprised if he made a bone headed move like that….
and I keep hearing rumors surrounding DJ. If he gets rid of D.J (A shanny guy) that would be a joke…He is our best and most consistent LB and has been for years…He is Versatile (OLB, ILB, MLB), He is faster than most, only sure tackler, BEST LB we got in coverage…and not a bad blitzer either
On a side note, all our LBs need to work on COVERAGE 1st and TACKLING 2nd. Ignore learnign anything else….and also leave the blitzing to DOOM for the most part.
I would like us to get Shonn Greene…Rookie, 5’11, 230…Sounds like a powerback to me and a 3rd round pick….another one we misse dout on…and his speed isnt bad either for a big guy.
I doubt they will let him go even tho he hasnt done anything all year but he has shown flashes of brilliance like his 3td game during the season or w/e…him and moreno works for me…but we can pick up a powerback in the later rounds this year as well…..
If we had Sanchez we would be in the playoffs!!! Who’s denying it now?
We must go after a better QB…. Build our team around him and the we will approach what the Jets and Vikings are after..
I realized 2 things are official after this weekend’s football action…
1) I hate the Chargers more than I hate the Raiders, I knew they were all hype. (go back and look at my previous blogs)
2) I hate Brett Favre and Brad Childress…they shouldn’t of thrown that last TD, regardless of how you look at it that was low class and unnecessary. I hope the Saints put Brett out for real retirement with a late hit helmet to helmet like Aneas Williams put on Steve Young, and Brad Childress loses the SB so he can get fired and take his place in the unemployment line…
and then..
I know this is just imaginary……But how freakin sweet would it be to have Champ Bailey and Darrelle Revis as our 1-2 CB’s!!!!!!!!!
One can always dream!!!
I been dreamin of a great QB since 1999……
And then Prince screwed it all up for me!!
lol…..
Bronc On!!
The Sparklers went to ground…Yee Haw!!!
Orange_Crusher…. I hear ya on your desire for a better QB, but Mark Sanchez didn’t beat the Bolts today. The Jets defense and run game did. Sanchez “managed” the game and did a decent job. Jets defense held the Bolts under 20 points for the first time in what 22 games?
Now a QB making a difference and winning a game for a team is Brett Favre who won the game for the Vikings.
I don’t get why some of you say if we have sanchez we’ll be in the playoff… haha Orton is way better than sanchez at this point in their career just look at their stats! have to put the whole team into perspective.. they are the number 1 running team in the NFL it’s not because of sanchez…
Orton is better than Sanchez…..hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Idiocracy….
It’s the new wave in the NFL!! and Politics…..
can someone give me more detail on whats going on with d.j.??
PeytonOverthehillis
Talk about a DREAM lol. WOuld be nice. But i think many underestimate Goodmas Man play this year…He was great…but Revis definitely has youth over him…..
Orange Crusher
id rather have Orton than sanchez…THIS year…sure orton stunk it up but they didnt exactly win because of sanchez play (Run stunk it up more than pass this year so cant SOLELY blame Orton…altho he would have more weapons here. I still think we should go for a QB (Colt McCoy) late first round early second after drafting defense. If McD didnt stupidly give up our 1st rounder this year for a second rounder last year. (I only say Colt because he isnt a top 10 pick and already plays in a system similar to McDs) Cuz it sure aint looking like Brandstater….(but i like Brandstater)
Cali Bronco…
I tried to google it and as far as i know…Nothing is going on with McDaniels and DJ. Only place ive heard that is on here and its just a rumor….Ask Baylinorcrush next time he is on, I heard it originally from him…He knows the source…ALL I KNOW is DJ is the BEST LB we have…I doubt McDaniels is that dumb, so ease your worried heart….I mean seriously…Ended KC game with 11 tackles…Only bronco that seems to know how to tackle……
Nice Read…McD even hopes theres a future for Hillis so we may not HAVE to draft a power back…but wouldnt hurt..
http://www.timescall.com/sports_story.asp?id=20117
Woohoo down go the Chargers! I was on my way home during the game so I didn’t get to see any except for about the last 5 minutes. I turned on the TV and the first word out of my mouth was a four letter one. LOL!! I yelled at my wife to come and see the score and the first word out of her mouth was also a four letter word. I couldn’t believe it the Jets beat out the Chargers…awesome.
Anyways about “if we had Sanchez we’d be in the playoffs”….debatable. The Jets defense has been playing well and playing well at the end of the season, which really helped out Sanchez. Our defense however sort of imploded on itself late in the season. So it is debatable at that.
@codybleedsorangeandblue: HAHAHA your caption of the Rivers pick was way better than mine. LOL!! I laughed like an idiot for 5 minutes over that caption. Good one!!!!
O.K. everybody!! First time ever posting on a blog. Go easy on me!!
Couple of things!!
So even though our beloved Broncos didn’t make the playoffs after such a great start, I do take some personal satisfaction in the fact that San Diego had another one and done playoff run. Can’t stand those “Bolts”.
Keep crying Rivers. See ya L.T. (Poor Loser)
Now onto my questions to see what you all think.
Even though I like Josh McDaniels, and I subscribe to his “team” approach rather than a bunch of players playing for individual statistics. Never really cared for Jay Cutler. Glad to see him go. I did have to question a few of his moves this year.
First of all, I didn’t really understand the need to replace Kern as the punter. I realize he didn’t have the best hang time but he did have a fine net average per punt, and Berger didn’t really do any better. I kind of think he had a knee jerk reaction after Sproles ran one back for a T.D. in our win at San Diego.
Secondly, I kind of think McDaniels may have made a mistake benching Ben Hamilton on the O – line. We had one of the best offensive lines going into the season and I kind of think when he benched Ben Hamilton it may have upset the chemistry on the offensive line. Remember, these guys had been playing with the “team” mentality for the better part of the last two seasons. And in my opinion, I think that is when we started to lose our chemistry at the line of scrimmage and the running game suffered. Anybody have any better insight as to why McDaniels would have made that move.
Finally, I’ve got to question the whole Brandon Marshall benching at the end of the season. (Didn’t really care about the whole Scheffler benching. He was just a Jay Cutler lover anyway and didn’t much care about the Broncos anyway and he dropped way too many balls.) But even though Brandon was a “self” oriented player during training camp and the beginning of the season. I really thought he came around and played as a “team” member during the remaining part of the season. Every time he made a spectacular play he always gave credit to coach McDaniels, Orton, and the Offensive line. He always sprinted over to Josh to give him a hug. And let’s be real. If Brandon doesn’t have the type of season he had, the Broncos lose at least two of the games they won (a.k.a. Dallas & Giants) and may not have been quite as close in a couple that they lost (a.k.a. Indianapolis & Philadelphia). I realize Brandon may not have practiced quite as hard befor the Kansas City fiasco, but come game time, I am sure he would have given it his all. I really want to see the Broncos keep Marshall, but not sure if that is going to happen.
O.K. I’ve talked enough. Remember, my first post, so go easy on me.
LMFAO! San Diego……LOL! this is too funny! LOL!
The only thing that would’ve made that loss even better is if Sanchez went to the 50 yd. line with Rex and they both did the Shawn M. shake, pump, stupid dance! LOL!
……seriously this was a complete Sunday! LMFAO!
I can hear it now….”Yeah whatever bronco fans, you guys always choke in the regular season…blah, blah, blah. ” LOL!
….uh yeah, and you always do in the playoffs LOL!
Isn’t this some kind of NFL record? LOL! how many times have they gone 13-3 or better just to get bounced out? LOL!
San Diego is playing the best football in the NFL! he he he he….uh not anymore! LOL! (my side hurts)
GO GET EM’ BRONCOS!
What does LMFAO and LMAO mean? did I miss something?
Broncofreak70
FYI
Gross Net
Kern 46.1 34.5
Berger 41.6 37.9
Poor hang time from Kern resulted in AVERAGE return of over 10 yards.
Not jumping on you, just giving you the hard facts.
RoyalBeast I agree with everything you said except Kuper is also a stud. I think when Harris went down we lost our Right side strength but when Ben was pulled we lost the leadership also. So both those things just completely killed our o line. just my opinion. I also think getting rid of Brandon Marshall is the biggest mistake. Only one WR like that comes around the league every 15 years, Ed Mccaffrey. There are other great WRs but not one that can catch a ball and bulldoze the defender and do moves that make corners break their ankles and be able to jump for the ball like that. Who would we replace someone like that with?
FYI
Kern 45.0 gross with Titans. Net not listed. I suspect it wasn’t much different than what it was with the Broncos. Which is better, kicking long but outkicking the coverage or kicking shorter with minuimal return? Don’t know about anyone else, but I think short with minimal return always trumps long overkicked as there’s much less chance of return for TD.
In my opinion outkicking your coverage is the worst, like you said oldsouthstander, less chance of a big return with shorter well covered kicks.
Our o-line is going to change. Dennison is gone and so will be the zone blocking scheme. We’re moving towards power blocking and so our o-line personel will change. Clady, Harris, and Kuper, I think have the size and strength to change, however our C and LG we could see someone else in there next season. Russ is going through long term rehab for his knee so he could be healthy by next season. We also have the other “future contract” players to test them out and see how they do.
I think if we can get our whole o-line switched over to the power blocking scheme our running game will probably be more consistent. Nothing wrong with zone blocking but I’m sure for our o-line trying to do both is confusing sometimes. Which is also why I think sometimes they didn’t quite know what to do on some plays.
TheRoyalBeast thanks
The jets won cause they have a great Defense and Running game.
The jets were ranked 31st in the passing game this year…We were ranked 13th.
Bad news guys Fox Sports Jay Glazer just reported that Mike Nolan and Josh McDaniels have agreed to part ways over issues over control. Hope its not true.
Yeah I just read that here:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/01/fox-mike-nolan-out-as-josh-mcdaniels-d-coordinator-with-broncos/1
That is huge
Wouldn’t be surprised if Dean Pees becomes the new Defensive Coordinator since his contract just expired, we shall see.
Yeah I think that must be who McD is looking at, I don’t mind who the coaches are as long as they pick good players and play tough defense.
It is now on DP.com
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_14217058
So it is offical
I’m not totally shocked though, the D fell apart after the bye week then could never get back on track. Then with KC scoring 44 points when the Broncos needed a win to keep their play off hopes alive.
On another note Dean Pees has health risk (ie prostate cancer) and was most likely fired (not his choice quit or be fired) so maybe we’ll take a different route.
Only two weeks into the off season and McD is already causing stirs.
nolan allowed us (d was main reason) to go from 6-0 to 8-8. Hopefully we dont get pees cuz his d is not that good. i dont no who would be a likely candidate? do we hire from inside organization or college or someone in nfl. about my earlier post saying we should get spiller im not saying i want us too but i think mcd is considering it cuz he is fast and can make a lot of people miss. guess who he reminds me of Chris Johnson but i dont think we will get him i dont really care if we get him or not
Hey thanks everybody for all the comments on my earlier post. It’s great to pass off ideas and thoughts and to get another perspective and insight.
Not real sure what to think about the whole Nolan episode. Was pretty frustrated with the defense after the bye week. But whoever they get to replace, I hope they stay with the 3 – 4 scheme. Seemed like Doom really excelled in it, and with one year under his belt maybe Ayers will feel more comfortable in his role.