NFL Wild Card Weekend - Sunday

We're going to try to bounce back from our horrendous Saturday showing with today's pair of games.

Ravens at Dolphins
First up is the AFC match up between the physical Baltimore Ravens and the throw everything at you Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins, of course, were one of the biggest stories in the NFL this season. They picked up Chad Pennington in the off-season to steer their rudderless ship. But using some creative offense, coach Tony Sparano turned a 1-15 team into a 10-6 division winner. Today'aame will be far from easy though against the run stuffing Ravens.

Chad Pennington, much maligned in New York, turnedain an MVP like season, throwing for over 3,600 yards and posting a 97.4 passer rating. Ronnie Brown was the key man in the Dolphins oft-used Wildcat formation. No game highlighted Brown's value more than his 113 rushing performance in a 38-13 blow out of the Patriots on September 21. In addition to rushing for 4 touchdowns out of the Wildcat formation, Brown threw a touchdown pass as well.

The Dolphins 'D' has been effective stopping the run, but they're 25th in the league in defending the pass. But the underrated squad did help lead the Dolphins to a league best +17 turnover ratio. The Ravens have to look out for a rejuvenated Joey Porter, who posted a team high 18 sacks during the regular season.

Like the Falcons, the Ravens got a big infusion of life from a rookie QB. Outsiders didn't expect much from Jersey's Joe Flacco, but the first year player emerged as a budding star in the AFC. The University Delaware product threw for 2,971 yards and completed 60% of his passes. He was helped by a 3-headed running game lead by Le'Ron McClain. Along with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee, the trio combined for over 2,000 yards rushing.

Derek Mason was Flacco's biggest target, catching 80 balls for 1,037 yards and 5 touchdowns. Flacco also has the dangerous Mark Clayton and the very solid Todd Heap to throw to.

The defense, of course, is led by stars Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Lewis may not be the player he once was, but he's still the spiritual leader of the squad. And of course there's former rookie defensive player of the year, Terrell Suggs, who leads the team with 8 sacks. The Ravens are equally adept at stuffing the run and defending the pass.

The two teams met in week 7 with the Ravens riding two second quarter touchdowns to a 27-13 victory. They come in as 3.5 point favorites today. With their mix of defense and experience, the Dolphins have their work cut out for them.

Ravens -3.5 at Dolphins Prediction: Ravens 24 Dolphins 16


Eagles at Vikings
The NFC game pits the number 3 seed, the NFC North winning Minnesota Vikings against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are the lowest seed, but maybe most dangerous team, in the NFC.

Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are the two biggest keys to how the Eagles will fare today. McNabb has had an up and down season, but just as appeared the Eagles were finished he led them to a playoff berth as the Eagles destroyed the Cowboys in the season finale. McNabb's inconsistency mirrored that of the entire team. The Eagles could only manage a 13-13 tie with lowly Cincinnati and lost 10-3 to the Redskins in week 16. But around that, they beat fellow playoff teams Arizona and the Giants. They also beat the Falcons and Steelers earlier in the season.

Westbrook is the prototypical all purpose back, compiling 936 yards rushing and 402 yards receiving on 54 catches. He scored 14 touchdowns while turning the ball over just once.

The Eagles defense is well documented under longtime coordinator Jim Johnson. Hard nosed (we'll add dirty as will Ike Hilliard) safety Brian Dawkins is the team leader. Defensive end Darren Howard had a team high 10 sacks. Philly's special teams also do a good job.

The biggest downside to Philly's game could be coach Andy Reid's habit of calling conservative plays in big situations.

The Vikings season lives and breaths on the backs of star running back Adrian Peterson and their defensive line, which helped the team to a league best run defense. That being said, the key to this game will be the play of third year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. The Alabama State product was benched after ineffective play the first two weeks of the season, but returned in week 14 when start Gus Frerotte went down with an injury (no, he didn't head butt a wall this time). Since then Jackson has been hot, including throwing 4 TD's against the Cardinals.

There be less pressure on Jackson, if Peterson has a big day. A.P. ran for a league best 1,760 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Coach Brad Childress isn't afraid to go to Chester Taylor in goal line situations. Peterson who lost 9 fumbles during the year, must hold on to the football.

The Vikings defense is lead by the Williamses, Kevin and Pat, who stuff the run, while end Jared Allen recorded 14 sacks. The Vikings special teams have allowed 4 punt returns for touchdowns.

We think the experienced QB wins out on this one with the help of the running back who doesn't fumble. Peterson will get his yards, but Jackson will succumb to the Eagles vaunted pass rush.
Eagles -3 at Vikings Prediction Eagles 27 Vikings 17

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