NFL

Arizona (11-6) at New Orleans (13-3)

After coming out on top in the highest-scoring postseason game in NFL history, the Arizona Cardinals are preparing for another offensive shootout when they invade New Orleans on Saturday afternoon.

The key matchup of the game will be the Cardinals inconsistent defense versus the Saints high-powered and rested offense. The Saints lead the NFL in total points scored (510) and yards per game (403.8) during the regular season. New Orleans Saints will counter Kurt Warner with perhaps the most dangerous quarterback in the NFL, Drew Brees, who established a league single-season record with a 70.6 completion percentage in delivering a fourth straight 4,000-yard campaign.

The Cardinals, who scored 51 points against the Packers, will try to regroup and slow down the NFLs top ranked offense. During the regular season, the Cardinals ranked 14th in the NFL in points allowed, only yielding 20.3 points per game. The 3-4 defenses did, however, have its moments and came up big in several key games.

New Orleans, who is rested and healthy after a bye week, will take advantage of the Cardinals 23rd ranked pass defense and win a surprisingly close game. Look for the Cardinals to make a few big plays on both sides of the ball and keep this one close.

Prediction: Saints 31, Cardinals 28

Baltimore (10-7) at Indianapolis (14-2)

Saturday afternoon’s AFC Divisional playoff game features the upstart Baltimore Ravens versus the top-seeded Indianapolis Colts.

The Key matchup of the game will be the Colts defense versus the Baltimore offense. Even though Baltimore showed glimpses of its great defense that lead to a Super Bowl victory, the Colts are going to score in this game. With that being said, the outcome of the game will hinge on the Ravens ability to score on offense. In their playoff victory over the Patriots, the Ravens rushed for 226 yards and only passed for 34. Joe Flacco was obviously hindered by injury and as the Ravens leaned heavily on the running game to secure the victory.

Coming off a bye, the top-seeded AFC playoff team will look to stuff the run and force the Ravens to win the game passing. The Colts, who were 24th in the NFL versus the run this season, will play eight men in the box to slow down the Ravens effective rushing attack.

No matter how you analyze this game, Peyton Manning is going to have success throwing the ball and Baltimore will not be able to score enough points to win the game. This game will not be a blow-out based on a big play by Ray Rice and/or the Ravens defense.

Prediction: Colts 24, Baltimore 13