NFC’s home teams headed for a wild-card fall
Cowboys, Cardinals won’t advance, but Patriots should hold court
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Philadelphia Eagles v Dallas Cowboys
PFTV: NFC wild-card preview
Jan. 6: Mike Florio says whoever comes out of Wild Card weekend in the NFC has a good chance to knock off the Saints and Vikings.
NBC Sports
NFL wild-card playoff games
Which players are shining, and who’s struggling?
JETS AT BENGALS (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. on NBC)
Players to watch | Keys to victory | Who wins?
PFTV: New York is built for a playoff run
PFT Picks: NFC home teams headed for a fall
Team pages: New York | Cincinnati
EAGLES AT COWBOYS (Saturday, 8 p.m. on NBC)
Players to watch | Keys to victory | Who wins?
PFTV: Cowboys on a roll — good luck Philly
PFT: ‘We gonna sting they ***’ Eagle says
Howard: Rooting for Dallas — Wade deserves it
PFT Picks: NFC home teams headed for a fall
Team pages: Philadelphia | Dallas
RAVENS AT PATRIOTS (Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS)
Players to watch | Keys to victory | Who wins?
PFTV: New England must be glad to be home
PFT Picks: NFC home teams headed for a fall
Team pages: Baltimore | New England
PACKERS AT CARDINALS (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. on FOX)
Players to watch | Keys to victory | Who wins?
Expert: Packers obviously right to let Favre go
PFTV: Pack on roll; can Cards mimic '09 run?
PFT Picks: NFC home teams headed for a fall
Team pages: Green Bay | Arizona
ProFootballTalk headlines
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David Harris active, as expected
Lynch's agent calls new charges "false and entirely malicious"
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Keith Olbermann, Peter King and Mike Florio discuss the latest on the Pete Carroll situation, Jeff Fisher's future in Tennessee and whether Wade Phillips will last in Dallas.
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PFT Daily: Sunday preview
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Packers - Cardinals preview
PFT Daily: Foot in mouth?
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Pittsburgh Steelers v Miami Dolphins
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Year in Pictures 2009 - Sports
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PFT'S PICKS
By Mike Florio
ProFootballTalk.com
updated 3:58 p.m. CT, Sat., Jan. 9, 2010
Each week, ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio will break down and pick the winners of the NFL playoff games. See his wild-card picks.
Philadelphia at Dallas
With the Cowboys beating the Eagles convincingly in Week 17 to complete a two-game sweep of their rivals from Philly and the Eagles returning to Dallas six days later for a third game, the Cowboys should chew up their division rivals like spurs on a cheesesteak, right?
Special feature
Image: Arizona Cardinals v San Francisco 49ers
Who’s shining, and who’s stinking?
Evan Silva and Chris Wesseling break down the key playoff players who are healthy, hurting and playing well.
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Maybe not.
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Twice before, the Cowboys have swept another NFC East during the regular season only to lose to that same team at home in the playoffs. Then there’s the fact that the Cowboys haven’t won a playoff game since December 28, 1996.
Then there’s the fact that Wade Phillips is coaching for his job.
These various circumstances could create the most pressure than any team ever has faced in the first round of the playoffs.
And the Eagles surely know it.
If the Eagles can keep it close, they can shake the confidence of the Cowboys, and potentially shatter it.
It will require a commitment to the running game from Philly, timely big plays from their young wideouts, and an unpredictable game plan from defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.
Bottom line? The Eagles as currently constituted have plenty of experience winning playoff games. The Cowboys simply don’t.
Pick: Eagles 28, Cowboys 20
Baltimore at New England
Like the Jets, the Ravens are built to succeed in January. Unlike the Jets, the Ravens recently succeeded in January.
But it won’t be easy in this particular January. The Patriots won all eight home games in the regular season, and they haven’t lost a home playoff game since December 31, 1978.
And they’ve got Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
Video
Indianapolis Colts v San Diego Chargers
PFTV: AFC wild-card preview
Jan. 6: Mike Florio says the Colts and Chargers aren't locks to advance to the conference title game.
NBC Sports
Though the Ravens have a real chance -- indeed, it likely will be a close game -- their wild-card matchup in 2009 will be much more challenging than last year’s game against the overachieving Dolphins.
So while it would be easier if receiver Wes Welker weren’t injured, the Patriots will be ready to do whatever they have to do in the hopes of commencing the process of proving that they’re still a force to be reckoned with in the AFC.
Pick: Patriots 17, Ravens 14
Green Bay at Arizona
Last year, the Cardinals faced heavy criticism for a 9-7 season and a
perception that they were one of the worst teams ever to qualify for the postseason.
They used it as a rallying cry, putting a chip on their shoulders and nearly hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
But last year’s run to the Super Bowl was sparked by a visit from the happy-to-be-there Falcons. This time around, the Cardinals face a Packers team that is better equipped to overcome the Cardinals and then make a serious run at the Saints or the Vikings.
Thus, get a good look at Kurt Warner -- it might be the last time you ever see him again on a network other than the Disney Channel.
Pick: Packers 31, Cardinals 14
