Three repeat performances highlight first weekend of NFL playoffs

Mark Sanchez will be on the playoff stage for the first time as the Jets take on the Bengals. (Icon SMI)

 

 

Four scintillating games line up in this weekend's first round of the NFL playoffs. The reasoning is, ironically, three of these are rematches of games played last week.

 

NY Jets (+2½) 24, @Cincinnati 20 - The Bengals packed it in and settled for the fourth seed in their 37-0 loss at the Jets last week. It has been 19 years since the Bengals won a home playoff game as they have only had two appearances in the time period. The Jets are a more physical team and can power the football at the heart of the Bengals' defense with their running game behind Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene. The question for the Jets may be how well rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez performs on the road and on this stage. New York's defense led the NFL as it allowed only 252.3 yards per game and allowed just 26 touchdowns. Cornerback Darrelle Reavis vs. Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco bears watching. If Sanchez manages the game well, it stands to reason that New York's defense will get enough done to pull off the win.

 

Philadelphia (+4) 24, @Dallas 17 - Armed with a new contract, Eagles coach Andy Reid may feel pressure after the Birds were dismantled in Dallas, 24-0, a week ago. It's a return trip to the "Jerry Dome" and the best bet is Donovan McNabb and the Eagles will be ultra-focused on the task. Philly was three-and-out on five of 11 possessions last week. That will not happen again. McNabb threw for only 223 yards and needs to get into matchups where DeSean Jackson is one-on-one with Cowboys' defensive backs or where he finds tight end Brent Celek working across the field. On the flip side, Dallas was able to strike early and manipulate Philadelphia's defense with a 17-0 advantage early in the third quarter. The Eagles will bring the pressure on Tony Romo on Saturday night. Philly had 44 sacks and 38 takeaways as end Trent Cole accounted for 12.5 of those sacks.

 

Green Bay (+2½) 34, @Arizona 31- The Cardinals will be firing on all cylinders as rest and relaxation was also a theme in their 33-7 loss to the Packers last week.  The playmakers in the passing game will be the tell-all here. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has 30 touchdown passes against only seven interceptions. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver both went over 1,000 yards in receiving this season. The Cardinals are almost a carbon copy with quarterback Kurt Warner (but he had 14 picks) as he also sports a pair of 1,000+ receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers has done an outstanding job in bringing along a Packers defense that struggled early in the season. Green Bay has done better against the pass across the boards. Corner Tramon Williams has quietly flourished opposite Charles Woodson in Capers' 3-4 scheme. Together the duo has defensed 33 passes as Green Bay led the league with 30 picks. Look for Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk to pressure Warner and force turnovers as the Packers advance.

 

Baltimore (+3½) 20, @New England 17 - These are the only two squads that did not face each other a week ago. The Ravens cemented their playoff fate with a tough 21-13 win over the Raiders; but only after Jamarcus Russell came on in relief of injured Charlie Frye and committed two costly fourth quarter turnovers. Nevertheless, the Ravens face a Patriots team minus Wes Welker, injured in last week's loss in Houston. Pats' quarterback Tom Brady is running out of options as Randy Moss doesn't even act interested any more as he did not show up for practice on Friday. Injuries in the secondary have kept the Ravens from posting a stronger season. Ed  Reed is back and will need a huge game with Frank Walker and Dominique Foxworth as back up corners. The key could be the Baltimore pass rush. The Ravens might sell the house a few times and take a shot on Brady. On the flip side, Baltimore needs to keep it balanced with Joe Flacco taking some shots downfield. Houston shredded the Patriots defense for 439 yards last week, so there may be some doubt. The change up ability of Ray Rice and Willis McGahee in the Ravens backfield will allow them to control the clock and pull he upset. Rice rolled for 1,339 yards and right touchdowns while catching 78 passes on the season. This may be the biggest shocker of the weekend because the Patriots have not lost a home playoff game with Brady and coach Bill Belichick at the controls.