1:00PM Baltimore Raven(9-7) at New England Patriots(10-6)The New England Patriots are coming into this game as the AFC East Champions, but they will be with out their Pro Bowl WR Wes Welker, who is an instrumental part of this Patriot offense. In Week 17, Welker went down with torn ligaments in his left knee, which means QB Tom Brady will look for other options, mainly WR Randy Moss, who caught 13 TDs on 83 receptions this year. The Patriots won the last meeting between the two teams in Week 4, where there was some controversy regarding two roughing the passer calls that helped seal the Ravens' fate in that 27-21 loss. This time around they will look to be just as physical, which is the key to their defense, in which they racked up an NFL-high 1,094 penalty yards on 115 penalties. The key to the Ravens offense will be a healthy dose of RB Ray Rice, who has come on strong in his second season, with over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 8 TDs. The former Rutgers standout combined with QB Joe Flacco for 78 receptions out of the backfield and they will look to continue to try to create mismatches on the field.
Look for the Ravens to continue to be physical with Brady. That is the key to the game... They are a much more physical team then the Patriots and in order to win this game they have to go after the QB and keep him on his back. The only way to beat Brady is consistent pressure and the Ravens are one of the best at applying pressure. The Patriots key to this game is of course, Tom Brady and the offensive line. If Brady can have time, he will pick apart the Ravens secondary. Look for Brady to throw a lot to Welker's replacement, Julian Edelman. Don't look for Edelman to be a game changer, but look for him on those 3rd down receptions Brady loves to throw to Welker.
Update: First play of the game: Ray Rice 83 yard TD run! Look for them to continue to run the ball down NE's throat.
4:40PM Green Bay Packers(11-5) at Arizona Cardinals(10-6)
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers makes his post-season debut today against the post-season veteran QB Kurt Warner in a Week 17 rematch in which the Packers won 33-7 and secured their spot in the playoffs. The Cardinals look to their leader, Warner, who has appeared in 3 Super Bowls and has thrown for over 3,300 yards in the playoffs. This could be Warner's last stand in the NFL as sources close to him have stated that he may retire after the playoffs are over. They will look to him and Pro Bowl WR, Larry Fitzgerald, as WR Anquan Boldin is most likely sitting this game due to left ankle and knee trouble. Aaron Rodgers will need to continue doing what he has done the past weeks, which is not turn the ball over. Rodgers threw for over 1,000 yards and no interceptions down stretch in the last 4 games and he will need to continue that against this Cardinal defense.
The key to the Packers is keeping Rodgers off the ground. To start the season, Rodgers was on pace to shatter former Texans QB David Carr's record for most times sacked in a season. But they have tweaked the offense and went into more 4 WR sets, which has caused Rodgers to have a bit more time in the pocket and has allowed him to make quicker and better decisions in the pocket. This will also create some mismatches on a Cardinal secondary that has been battling injuries to CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who has knee and toe injuries, and S Antrel Rolle, who has a thigh injury. The Cardinals will continue to place all their trust in Warner and Fitzgerald, who creates a mismatch on the Packers secondary. Look for Pro Bowl CB Charles Woodson, who will be shadowing Fitzgerald all day now that Boldin is out of the lineup.
