Saturday’s games
Falcons at Cardinals, 3:30 p.m.
Atlanta makes its first playoff appearance since the 2004 season and is riding high behind RB Michael Turner, easily the biggest free agent acquisition this season, and QB Matt Ryan, the NFL offensive rookie of the year. Turner, who came from the Chargers, ran for 1,699 yards (No. 2 in the league) and 17 TDs. But the
Cardinals’ run defense isn’t bad, ranking 16th. Arizona has more trouble vs. the pass, but that isn’t Atlanta’s strength. The Cards love to throw, with Kurt Warner leading the NFL’s No. 2 aerial attack and key WR Anquan Boldin vowing to play after missing two games because of a shoulder problem. Atlanta ranks 22nd vs. the pass, which spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e.
Colts at Chargers, 7 p.m.
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San Diego soared into the playoffs by winning its final four games, and despite an 8-8 finish took advantage of Denver’s mammoth collapse to gain a rematch of a November contest Indy won 23-20. The Colts have won nine in a row and have allowed just six TD throws all year — the least ever in a 16-game season.
That’s a bad omen for the Chargers, who have become a passing team (seventh in the NFL) because LaDainian Tomlinson has had an off year (just 3.8 yards per carry), and is nursing a groin injury that he said leaves him at less than 100 percent. San Diego has another key injury concern — TE Antonio Gates’ sprained ankle kept him out of practice and he might not play. Meanwhile, Indy is fifth in the NFL in passing and QB Peyton Manning has completed 66.8 percent of his throws.
Sunday’s games
Ravens at Dolphins, noon
Miami tries to keep the momentum going after rebounding from one of the worst seasons in NFL history (1-15) to not only make the playoffs but win the AFC East. QB Chad Pennington has been the catalyst after being dumped by the Jets in favor of Brett Favre. Pennington threw 19 TD passes this season with just seven interceptions, and has led a unit that turned the ball over just 13 times, fewest in the NFL. But he’ll be facing an aggressive defense that had 34 takeaways, tops in the league. Baltimore also has had a big turnaround after a 5-11 finish last season. Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco hasn’t been flashy (14 TD passes, 12 interceptions), but his completion percentage (60) is decent.
Eagles at Vikings, 3:30 p.m.
Both teams needed strong finishes to make the postseason and got in on the final day. Minnesota won 5 of its last 6 contests to win the NFC North title and Philadelphia got the last NFC spot by winning 4 of its last 5, including a dismantling of Dallas in its finale. That blowout allowed the Eagles to keep key RB Brian Westbrook from having to go full bore in the second half, a key as he has fought through injuries this season and he braces for the Vikings’ top ground defense (just 76.9 yards per game allowed). The Eagles’ run defense also is stellar (No. 4 in NFL), meaning Adrian Peterson — the league rushing champ — probably won’t have an easy time. Vikes will need a good game from inconsistent QB Tarvaris Jackson, who has no playoff experience.