NFL Wild Card Wrap-Up and Divisional Preview

The Wild Card round provided some exciting games, and statement games from teams that we didn't expect to see win. Let's recap the four games of the weekend.

NY Jets 24, Cincinnati Bengals 14
This game started off well for the Bengals, as they scored the first TD for the game, but later gave up 21 unanswered points to the Jets, who were led by Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones touchdowns. Rookie QB Mark Sanchez was 12 of 15 for 182 yards and a touchdown in his playoff debut. TE Dustin Keller contributed a TD and 99 yards, leading the team in receiving. Darrelle Revis held Chad Ochocinco to two catches with 28 yards, and intercepting a pass. The Jets take on the Chargers next Sunday.

Dallas Cowboys 34, Philadelphia Eagles 14
The Cowboys won their 3rd game against the Eagles this season, with the run game leading the way. The Cowboys posted nearly 200 yards rushing, including a 73 yard TD from Felix Jones. The Cowboys gained 426 yards of offense, and the Eagles struggled to get the run game going. Despite a 76 yard Michael Vick passing TD to Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles struggled to produce the big plays like they had in the regular season. Dallas heads to Minnesota next week to take on the Vikings.

Baltimore Ravens 33, New England Patriots 14
In the suprise of the Wild Card round, the Ravens trounced the Pats, with strong plays from the defense and a great run game. Ray Rice ran the ball 22 times for 159 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Patriots looked sloppy, with Tom Brady throwing 3 interceptions and fumbling once on a sack. Julian Edelman replaced Wes Welker with 2 TD's late in the game, but the Ravens' early 24-0 first quarter lead was too much for the Patriots to overcome. The Ravens meet the Colts in the Divisional round next week.

Arizona Cardinals 51, Green Bay Packers 45
In the most exciting game of the weekend, both teams were locked into a shootout in which neither defense could stop the other's offense. Aaron Rodgers had a Packer post-season record 442 yards passing yards, and 5 total touchdowns. Kurt Warner had 379 yards and 5 TD's in a game that went down to the wire in OT. Despite winning the coin toss in OT, the Packers lost the game on a Michael Adams sack and forced fumble which was recovered by Karlos Dansby and returned for a TD. The Cardinals will head to New Orleans next week to battle the Saints.

Now we will take a look at the match ups in next week's Divisional round.

NY Jets at San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are the hottest team in football, winning 11 straight games to end the season. I think the Jets stay in it late, but the Chargers high-powered offense leads them to victory.

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
The Colts had the best record in the regular season, despite losing their last two games to the Jets and the Bills, obviously without playing their starters for most of the game. The Ravens showed a lot of talent defensively last week against the Pats, and I think they have a very good chance at the upset, but I still think the Colts will win. However, I would not be surprised to see the Ravens win this one.

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
In probably the toughest game of the week, the Cowboys head to Brett Favre and the Vikings. The Cowboys are coming off an impressive win over the Eagles last week. Both offenses have been firing on all cylinders, so this one will probably come down to which defense will be able to get stops at the right times. I think the Vikings will take this one, led by the veteran Brett Favre, and Adrian Peterson.

Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
The Cardinals are coming off a hard-fought victory over the Packers last week, and if the Cards get Anquan Boldin back, their offense could be even more potent. The Saints finished the season sputtering to 13-3, including a loss to the Bucs. I think that this game will be much like the Cards-Packers game, a shootout that could go to OT. I think the Saints move on in this one.