Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints: 

The divisional playoff round kicks off with this whale of a game – which, at first glance, appears to be a high-scoring affair in the making.  The Cardinals – fresh off of a 51-45 wild card win over the Green Bay Packers – bring an explosive offense into the Superdome.  Arizona put big points on the board against a team that boasted the Defensive Player of the Year (Charles Woodson).  However, Kurt Warner and Co. better not fall into the trap of trying to gunsling with New Orleans.  The Cardinals need to get strong contributions from their ground game (Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower), and use it effectively to eat up some clock.  Warner must make good decisions with the pass and not force things…or the Saints are gonna win handily.

New Orleans wants Arizona to think they can match up point for point.  The Saints are well-known for their offensive firepower, but it has been their defensive playmakers that have turned many games in their favor.  They have five players who have multiple interceptions, and three players who have returned their interceptions for touchdowns.  In other words, if Warner lets his guard down, the Cardinals will pay for it.

I’m going with the Saints at the Superdome.

Antoine Winfield's health will be key if the Vikings have hopes of shutting down the Dallas passing game.

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings:

The Cowboys have shed their horrible image of being chokers at the end of the season.  They’ve come up with big wins against the Saints and Eagles (twice) in the last four weeks.  There was nothing cheap about the victory over New Orleans, and Dallas simply overpowered Philly two weeks in a row.  Dallas’ balance of running and passing should suit them well against a Minnesota defensive secondary that has not been healthy.  The Cowboys need Marion Barber, Miles Austin and Jason Witten to keep the chains moving.  On the defensive side, they have been outstanding.  They have shutout their opponents in 2 of their last 3 games – and last week they stifled Philly once again.

Minnesota has been under the scope all season, thanks to their high profile quarterback (Brett Favre), high profile running back (Adrian Peterson), and now, high profile coach (Brad Childress).  With a late season disruption between Favre and Childress, one has to wonder what is going to happen when the pressure mounts.  The bottom line with the Vikings is that they have to use the run to set up the pass.  Adrian Peterson needs to have between 25 and 30 carries to keep the Cowboys defense guessing.  If they don’t mix up their game, the hot Dallas defense could do just enough to make things uncomfortable for Favre.

I think Romo continues to shed some of his past image, hits some passes early, and does enough to push the Cowboys into the conference championship round.

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