For the Atlanta Falcons, it was a sad day out in the desert for many reasons.  Going into the game, they were favored over the Cardinals because they had the better record.  But after the kickoff, the whole squad was uptight and not performing to their capability.  This playoff game was the first for many of the Falcons players, and it didn't help that Arizona wanted to amplify all the noise.

Michael Turner had a rough week with his grandmother passing away.  You can imagine how that would feel.  He didn't have a great game either as he was stopped almost every time he had the ball.  The Cardinals sure did a good job training on how to handle the big man.

We could all tell how nervous Matt Ryan was.  He had all of the attention from the media the whole week with many interviews.  Even for a phenomenal rookie, the NFL playoffs are a whole different world.  It took him the first quarter to get all of the butterflies out, and then he drove his team to a 17-14 lead going into the locker room.  The second half though was a whole different story; he struggled the whole time.  Interceptions, missed handoffs, etc.  Ryan even got brought down in his own endzone for a safety.  When it was down to the wire, he managed to get the ball to the endzone and narrow the gap to 6 points.  After that, the game was in the hands of the Atlanta defense.

Many people think that missed handoff for a touchdown return by the Cardinals is what got the Falcons out of their groove.  From then on, the defense was just hideous.  They never once managed to sack Kurt Warner.  The man can get a pass of with guys right in his face.  Atlanta has never been a pressure team, and this was a showdown where pressure was indespensable.  The last straw was when the defense allowed Warner to convert a 3rd & 16 with about two minutes left.  What the heck was Keith Brooking doing?  For some reason, he didn't go back and guard the receivers at the first down line.  Keith actually thought that Warner might hand the ball off on that play.  If he had made the Cardinals punt, Matt Ryan would have had one more shot to try to take his team to victory.  But sadly, he didn't even get a chance.

Congratulations to the whole Cardinals team for a phenomenal game.  Larry Fitzgerald made some incredible catches.  Good luck on having to go back to the east coast; better prepare more than you ever have before.

For us Falcons fans, this was just the beginning of a whole new era.  If the whole squad did this well in the 2008 season, think how much better they will do next year.  We'll be back and even better than before.  Watch out 2010 Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons are on the way...

                                                   

Okay, folks, the BCS is officially flawed.  I've thought it was flawed for several years ever since they put Ohio State in the National Championship two years in a row.  Ever since Illinois, yes the Fighting Illini, made it to the ROSE Bowl.  Ever since the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Virginia Tech Hokies played in the Orange Bowl.  I understand about all of these conference champion rules, but still, put the teams in there that actually deserve to be there.

Now, the Utah Utes come along and take on the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Everyone was wondering if Utah could beat Alabama.  They did just not beat the Crimson Tide; they annihilated them.  You should have seen the look on Nick Saban's face at the end of the first quarter.  Brian Johnson and his offense made all of the drives look like a piece of cake.  Alabama's defense looked pretty flustered the whole game.  In contrary, the Utes' defense was just on fire.  Some of their sacks on John-Parker Wilson were just incredible.  Utah just went out and proved that they should be in the National Championship; they now have their argument.  But, they did have their argument before this game.  The only 12-0 team in college football.  If it weren't for the SEC Championship game though, Alabama would also be 12-0.

Honestly, I think the big game in Miami probably should be Utah-Oklahoma instead of Florida-Oklahoma.  The argument is that both teams beat Alabama, but Utah has a better record than the Gators.  And, I really think that Utah can compete with the Oklahoma Sooners.  The Utes proved last night that they can legitimately compete with any team in the country.  So, what I am saying is that they either need to be co-champions with Thursday night's winner, or the winner needs to have to face Utah.  Realisticly, the winner will NOT be allowed to face them, but the co-champions is a pretty darn good idea.

The only down side is that Boise State was in this same position two years ago after upsetting Oklahoma, but they didn't get any type of co-champions with the Florida Gators.

The Texas Longhorns are also hoping for co-champions, but they better just give it up after what Utah just did.  Texas just needs to focus on whipping Ohio State.

Again, yes, the BCS is officially flawed.  A PLAYOFF IS WHAT WE REALLY NEED AND WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS NEEDED.  HERE ME OUT BCS GEEKS.

Colts at Chargers.  One of the NFL's newest rivalries.  Earlier in the year, this matchup was decided by a last second field goal as Peyton Manning drove his team to a victory.  In last year's playoffs, the Chargers went into Indy and upset the Colts.  This is the one game that is a total toss up; anything can happen.

The Indianapolis Colts didn't start off the year too great but got it turned around when it was time.  They managed to defeat some of the top-ceded teams and built confidence along the way.  Coach Tony Dungy is probably reminding them just to go out and do what they did about a month ago.  To don't treat this game any differently than any of the others they have played.  The Colts have the talent to go all the way to the Super Bowl.  They just have to execute all of their plays and keep the Chargers off of the football field.

We all know the story of the San Diego Chargers; how they also had a rough start.  How they managed to upset the Broncos last week and make it into the playoffs being 8-8.  This team doesn't want to remember what happened vs. Indianapolis earlier in the season.  Norv Turner and his squad will remember how they upset the Colts last year and moved on to the AFC Championship.  LaDanian Tomlinson hasn't had exactly his dream season, but he will come alive on Saturday night. We fans never know what Chargers team is going to come out on the football field.  I think this squad will be even more fired up than the Colts.  They have to use their passion for the game and their momentum to upset the most dangerous team in the league.  Don't rule San Diego out just yet; they may just be getting themselves in the zone...

This game will come down to which quarterback can stay on the football field the longest and have no three-and-outs.  It will come down to which running back is invincible.  Like last time, it will come down to which kicker can perform the best under pressure.  Get ready America, it will be a wild Saturday night...

                            My Prediction: Colts edge out Chargers late in the fourth quarter

                           

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings.  Two more NFC teams who are fired up and are ready to do whatever it takes to win.  Two teams who haven't been in the postseason for a couple of years.  These teams are pretty familiar with each other though.  Remember when they matched up back in '05 on the Eagles march to Super Bowl XXXIX?  This is a matchup worth watching that will come down to who makes the big play late in the fourth quarter.

For the Eagles, they are still shocked they made it into the postseason.  It all happened in a whirlwind with the Bucs losing to Oakland and their annihilation of the Cowboys.  A week ago, they didn't even think they would make it this far.  But, beware, Philadelphia is on fire.  Last week vs. Dallas, they showed just how talented and focused of a squad they are.  McNabb made the big plays and never looked back.  I really think the Philadelphia Eagles are this year's version of the New York Giants.  No, I am not saying they are going to win the Super Bowl, but I am saying that they will make it farther in the playoffs than anyone would have ever thought.  These guys were pretty harmless in the regular season.  Now, they turned into one vicious team.

The Minnesota Vikings are another team that is happy to be where they are.  They have just as much momentum as the Eagles.  Last week, they knocked off the NFC number one ceed, the New York Giants, with a late field goal.  Adrian Peterson is one dangerous rusher that can put up a lot of yards.  Tavaris Jackson is great under pressure and save his team with sneaky runs if need be.  For Sunday, they will remember their great victory against the Giants, not their loss against the Falcons.  The Vikings have landed on the shore of the NFC playoffs, and they are about to make their way up the coast and to the battlefield.

Overall, I am much more excited about the NFC playoff games than the AFC playoff games.  Both of the AFC wildcard games were already decided in the regular season.  The NFC matchups are ones that makes us count down to Saturday and Sunday.  This one game that no one will want to miss.

                      My Prediction: Eagles upset Vikings and move on to face the Giants

                            

Saturday afternoon, University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ.  This is the site of what is to be a big playoff game, in my opinion.  Neither team has made it to the postseason in quite a long time, and both are hungry to go far.  Just making it to the playoffs it quite an accomplishment and should provide these teams with happy offseasons regardless.

The Atlanta Falcons are on a roll and have won their last three games.  Matt Ryan is making the big passes, and Michael Turner is barging through defenses like an ironclad ship.  The star of the game last week though was Jerious Norwood.  Late in the game, he almost returned a kickoff for a touchdown and salvaged a win after a not-so-good game against the St. Louis Rams.  Even though the Falcons have four road losses this year, I am confident that they will win out in the desert.  Atlanta proved that they can come up big on the road a couple of weeks ago when they took care of business in Minneapolis.  By the way, the Falcons are undefeated on the west coast this season win two wins at Oakland and San Diego.  Cardinal fans, get ready, you all will be in for a surprise...

The Arizona Cardinals got their momentum back last week with a 34-21 win at home over the Seattle Seahawks.  In the locker room after the game, I bet the coach was telling his squad that they just have to go out and do the same thing against the Falcons the following week.  Beware, the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks and far two different teams.  These Cardinals just need to remember what happened a couple weeks back at New England.

Atlanta is favored over Arizona because of one important thing: the records.  Atlanta is 11-5, and Arizona is 9-7.  So, how come Arizona gets to play at home???  Well, because they are in a poor division... the best of the worst.  For us Falcons fans though, this win isn't going to come easily, it will be long and hard fought the whole four quarters out west.  The Cardinals are going to give us a run for our money, and you bet they'll be goin' down swingin'...

                        My Prediction: Falcons barely edge out Cardinals in late touchdown