NFL Divisional Playoff Games: No Easy Outs

Usually when you get to the second round of the NFL playoffs you have at least one team that has most people thinking, "You are way out of your league. See you next year." I don't think that we have that team this year.

The Colts went 14-0 while they were trying. Yikes.

The Chargers have won 11 straight. Enough said.

The Saints were flat the last few weeks, but started 13-0. No questions here.

The Vikings laid a couple of eggs late, but destroyed the Giants to finish 12-4. They are possibly the most complete team, running, passing, defense, special teams. No holes.

The Cowboys have answered the December/January questions winning their last 4 convincingly. Another very complete team.

The Cardinals are inconsistent. They threw up a couple of stinker games, but we learned last year that they have a playoff gear. Injuries have hurt them, but when they are on, they are really really good. They can play D, Beanie Wells and Hightower do a fine job and if Warner gets in groove you are in big trouble.

The Ravens have had some lapses in defense especially against the pass, but that was earlier in the season. Until they dismantled the Patriots last week their only win against a playoff team was week 2 against the Charger team that really had not gotten going yet. After a mid season slump, however, they have had a running back with 140+ yards in 4 of the last 5 games and only one team scored more than 14. They lack much of a passing game, but they are solid enough running and playing D that it might not matter that. Keep in mind that last year they took out the number 1 seed in the divisional playoff

Rex Ryan has the Jets looking very similar to the Ravens. They had a mid-season slump. Passing is the weakest part of their game. Rookie QB, Sanchez only passed for more than 200 yards four times. They run well with Thomas Jones and now Shonn Greene, but their defense is scary. Revis takes out your top receiver and the Bears 46 defense looks like there are 12 men on the field. One team in the last 7 games scored more than 14 on them and that was at the hands of Peyton Manning.

Ravens and Jets may have been 9-7 in the regular season and they both got big breaks to get into the playoffs, but they are not going to be easy outs. They play ugly hardnosed football thanks to Rex Ryan.