Divisional Playoff Weekend Recap

Arizona Cardinals-14
New Orleans Saints-45

As predicted, the healthy Saints came out firing on all cylinders in the Superdome on Saturday. Drew Brees looked more like the Drew Brees of weeks 1-11, as opposed to the end of the season. Much maligned Reggie Bush made his presence felt, scoring on both a 46-yard TD run where he broke numerous tackles, as well as an 83-yard punt return where he showcased his world-class speed. Kurt Warner was knocked out of the game with a chest injury on a play where he got crushed on an interception return. Matt Leinart came in and the offense just wasn't the same. Kurt could have possibly played his last game in the NFL, as questions about his retirement have been swirling for weeks. The Saints earned the right to host the NFC Championship game next week in what should be an electric atmosphere.

Baltimore Ravens-3
Indianapolis Colts-20

It wasn't pretty, but the Colts did just enough to win. The Ravens were victim to a couple suspect calls, however the Colts made plays when they had to. Even when the Ravens seemed like they were going to make a surge, they ultimately came up short, no play was more evidence of this then Ed Reed's interception-return-fumble that the Colts recovered. The Colts offense made plays when it had to and Peyton Manning threw touchdowns to Austin Collie and Reggie Wayne en route to the victory. They host the AFC Championship game next week.

Dallas Cowboys-3
Minnesota Vikings-34

Well, it was bound to happen eventually, right? Tony Romo, who had played admirably all year, finally resorted back to his old self, turning the ball over multiple times en route to an absolute massacre of the Dallas Cowboys. The Vikings D sacked Romo 6 times, and the offense was led by Brett Favre and Sidney Rice who had 141 yards and 3 TDs. Adrian Peterson was held in check, placing the game on Brett's shoulders and he did not disappoint. Favre was clutch the entire game and the Vikings played just as well as they did in the season finale against the Giants. They travel to the Superdome next week where the two best teams in the NFC all season square off for the right to go to Miami.

New York Jets-17
San Diego Chargers-14

In the only upset of the day, the Jets took down the red-hot Chargers in San Diego. Led by their run game and their smothering defense, the Jets forced Philip Rivers into 2 INTs and they ran the ball for 169 yards. The Jets appear to have the confidence where they can take down any team and will certainly not be at all threatened by Peyton Manning and Co. next week. Nate Kaeding, the Pro Bowl kicker who only missed 3 kicks ALL SEASON, missed 3 kicks today in what turned out to be the difference in the game, none of which were even close. In an interesting turn of events, the Jets will face the Colts with the winner stamping a ticket to the Super Bowl. In week 16, when the Colts rested their starters instead of playing for the perfect season, they allowed the Jets the necessary wins to get into the playoffs. The Bengals did the same thing, and the Jets eliminated them the following week. We will see if the Colts suffer the same fate.