Wild Card Week In The NFL

Scores

Eagle 26, Vikings 14

 Cardinals 30, Falcons 24

 Ravens 27, Dolphins 9

 Chargers 23, Colts 17

The Low-Down

Eagles-Vikings: The Vikings stayed with it during this game as long as they could, and did well even to win the division and make it to the playoffs. In the end though, Tavaris Jackson's inexperience really came back to haunt him and the Vikings, completing only 10 of 27 passes and throwing an interception. Their defense was good, forcing a fumble on McNabb  late in the game, but the offense couldn't capitalize. Donovan McNabb has had an incredible recovery since being benched only a few weeks ago. Brian Westbrook was quiet for the most part, but hooked up with McNabb late for a 71-yard score. All in all, the Vikings did not have enough weapons to keep up with the high-powered Eagles.

Cardinals-Falcons: This was a very competitive game the whole way through, and a crucial one for the Cardinals, proving they truly belong in the playoffs. Thanks to a circus catch by Larry Fitzgerald, a strong game by Edgarrin James, a great run after the catch by Anquan Boldin, the Cardinals were able to pull it out. And also, the Cardinals defense really stepped up and stopped the high-powered running game of Michael Turner, forcing Matt Ryan to make plays with his arm. Ryan had a decent game, but at times seemed rattled by the crowd, and the fact that it was a playoff game couldn't have helped much either.

Ravens-Dolphins: Two words: ho-ly crap...The Dolphins had their lunch handed to them, in Miami, by none other than the hard-hitting Baltimore Ravens. It's really quite simple: Pennington through 4 picks, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Mr. Return Ed Reed. The Dolphins could not move the ball, and only managed to score three field goals. Their run defense was exposed, and at times they were exploited by an average, inexperienced rookie Joe Flacco. Obviously a great turnaround this year in Miami, but not good enough.

Colts-Chargers: What a great game this was, and really fun to watch. Without a healthy LT, the Chargers really rose to the occasion and stepped up. They were helped out by sub-par clock management by Peyton Manning in the final 31 seconds of regulation, and by some questionable calls on their game-tying drive, but SD comes out with the victory.

Picks For Next Week

Baltimore-Tennesee: Baltimore

 Arizona-Carolina: Carolina

 Philadelphia-NY Giants: Giants

 San Diego- Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh