NFC Wild Card Weekend Predictions and Insights

QB Matt Ryan leads his Atlanta Falcons into a tough road environment on Saturday

The other day we took a look at the AFC Wild Card weekend, so in the interest of fairness we now do the same for the NFC.  Both NFC games have the potential to be real shootouts, with four great offenses facing a group of so-so defenses.  There are plenty of sub-plots to these games, including the Detroit Lions long-awaited return to the postseason, as well as the Atlanta Falcons looking for their first playoff win with QB Matt Ryan under center.  Lets dive right into the games:

Giants WR Victor Cruz has emerged as the go-to guy for QB Eli Manning

NFC Wild Card Game - Atlanta Falcons (10-6) @ New York Giants (9-7)
Sunday, 1:00EST   TV: FOX

The New York Giants come off the mammoth win over Dallas last Sunday that clinched the NFC East.  For all intents and purposes, these Giants have been in playoff mode for a solid 2 weeks having into this match-up with the high-powered Atlanta Falcons.  The Giants are of course led by QB Eli Manning, who finished 2011 as one of the top five passers in the league.  His main target will be uberstud WR Victor Cruz, who emerged out of nowhere to post a 1,500+ yard receiving season.  The Giants are hoping that the RB tandem of Ahmed Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs can do enough damage against a tough Atlanta run defense to allow Manning to find Cruz and fellow WR Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks. 

On the Atlanta side, the Falcons are looking for their first playoff win since Matt Ryan became their franchise QB.  Picked by many national preseason publications to be a favorite in the NFC, the Falcons seemed to stumble a bit when faced with tough road games.  They won't have it easy here, as they can except a loud and amped up New York crowd.  The Falcons will rely on QB Ryan and his ability to get the ball to playmaking WR's Roddy White and Julio Jones.  Future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez will also be a factor in the passing game.  Atlanta can churn out the rushing yards behind the powerful legs of RB Michael Turner, and they can offer some different looks by bringing in rookie RB Jacquizz Rodgers, who has started to make some waves late in the season. 

The Giants defense has some new faces, but they bring many of the same players that fueled that magical run to Super Bowl XLII.  This defense has not lived up to their reputation in 2011, but collectively this is a group that knows what it takes to win in January.  The Falcons defense has been solid all season and can generate turnovers as well as any defense in the playoffs.  Despite all of this, fans should expect a high-scoring affair, as even the weather will cooperate - allowing both offenses to fully spread their wings.

The difference in this game will be at QB.  Matt Ryan has steadily improved each season since his arrival in Atlanta in 2008.  This Falcons team is hungry, and Head Coach Mike Smith has put together his most sound unit since taking over in the "Dirty South".  The Falcons are ready to make the next step, and with their ability to play the same style both indoors and outdoors, they couold be a serious challenge to either Green Bay or San Francisco in the Divisional round.

Prediction:  Falcons 31, Giants 17

Record-setting QB Drew Brees is looking for a second Lombardi trophy for New Orleans.

NFC Wild Card Game - Detroit Lions (10-6) @ New Orleans Saints (13-3)
Saturday, 8:00EST   TV: NBC


The major question heading into this game is a simple one:  Can anybody beat the Saints inside the Superdome?  When New Orleans suits up inside their home dome, all bets - and any single game passing records - are off.  This Saints team went 13-3 and due to the amazing seasons enjoyed by Green Bay and San Francisco, this could quite possibly be the last game they get to play in their frenzied french quarters. 

The Detroit Lions enjoyed their best season in a decade and made the playoffs, which in itself is a huge accomplishment for a team that was 0-16 just two short years ago.  The Lions have been rebuilt as a pass first, run later team and they can fling it with the best of them.  QB Matthew Stafford has lived up to his #1 overall billing and emerged as a Top 5 NFC QB in 2011.  The "X-Factor" for ther Lions is Megatron - WR Calvin Johnson.  Johnson is flat out the most dominating player at his position in the league and even when teams dedicate two or three defenders, he still makes plays.  The Lions run game will rely on back-ups RB Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris after the team lost RB Jahvid Best to injuries mid-season.  That does not bode well for the Lions, as ball control is a major factor against the high-scoring Saints.  If Detroit can find a way to limit possessions for New Orleans and QB Drew Brees, they can hang in this game for a while.  If not, it could be over by halftime.

The good news for Lions fans?  This team is just starting its run of success.  After breaking down the postseason wall this year, expect the Lions to be a hot pick to unseat Green Bay in the NFC North in 2012.  They will have a chance to address some needs in the offseason, and return as a more playoff ready team - with playoff experience - next season.  As for this game, the Lions are simply not ready for a game of this magnitude, on the road, against a team the caliber of the Saints.

The Lions hang around for a bit, but in the end New Orleans is prepping for a trip to the Divisonal round.  That upset in Seattle last season haunts this team, and they will not let another "one and done" happen this season.

Prediction:  Saints 42, Lions 26