Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers - Saturday, FOX 8:15PM ET
Given the choice, the Cardinals would rather throw the ball. "We've been successful throwing the football all over
the field this year," says Arizona QB Kurt Warner, leader of the NFL's second-best passing attack.
However, in last week's 30-24 Wild Card win over the Atlanta Falcons
it was their defense and running attack which advanced the Cardinals to the next round.
The Panthers love running the ball. And they've been successful doing that, ranking third in the NFL. "I love that
we're able to run the football," says Carolina QB Jake Delhomme, who is 5-2 in the playoffs.
De Angelo Williams is coming off a record setting season in which he set team records for rushing yards (1,515),
touchdowns (20), rushing touchdowns (18), average per carry (5.5), and 100-yard rushing games (eight). His rushing
total was fourth best in the NFL. He and Jonathon Stewart combined for 2,351 yards rushing. Stewart rushed for 836 yards
and averaged 4.5 yards per carry.
How will it all play out, especially in Carolina where the Panthers are undefeated this season? Well, the last time
the teams met (October 26), Carolina RB De Angelo Williams ran for 108 yards, but Delhomme had to rally the Panthers
from a 17-3 deficit while throwing for 248 yards and two TDs with the winner coming on a 65-yarder to WR Steve Smith.
The Panthers did it through the air.
On Saturday, who knows? One thing to look for, though. The "pass-first" Cards also have been utilizing their
ground game to good effect recently in the person of veteran Edgerrin James who has 173 yards in the last two games.
The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers boast 2008's top two NFC receiving-yardage leaders in the Cardinals
LARRY FITZGERALD (1,431) and Panthers STEVE SMITH (1,421). Fitzgerald and ANQUAN BOLDIN and Smith and MUHSIN MUHAMMAD
combine for 4,813 yards, the fifth most in an NFL playoff matchup by the top two receivers of each team.
Steve Smith finished third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,421 averaging 18.2 yards per catch despite
missing the first two games of the season. Complementing Smith is Muhsin Muhammad, who had 65 catches for 923 yards.
His 14.2 yards per catch average was nearly a yard better than his career mark.
Last week, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin caught the 2 longest TD passes in Cardinals playoff history.
Kurt Warner connected on a 42-yard yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald in the first quarter. Anquan Boldin’s 71-yard
TD reception from Kurt Warner came in the second quarter
Pro Bowl selection Larry Fitzgerald finished the regular season with 96 receptions for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns. Despite
missing four games due to injury during the 2008 regular season, Anquan Boldin earned his third Pro Bowl nod
after recording 89 receptions for 1,038 yards and a career-high 11 TD receptions. His 11 TD receptions were
tied for the third-most in the NFL during the regular season.
Series: Carolina has a Commanding 6-2 Lead & Winners of the Last 5
Saturday night's rematch will be the ninth meeting between the Panthers and Cardinals and the first in the postseason.
Carolina and Arizona have met four times in Charlotte, including a 27-23 Panthers victory earlier this season.
Carolina leads the all-time series 6-2 and has won the last five times the two teams have met.
Carolina Panthers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
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Arizona Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 23 | |
Carolina Panthers | 0 | 3 | 21 | 3 | 27 | |
Arizona faced a formidable test at Carolina against a 5-2 Panther team that was 4-0 at home
and boasted the NFL’s 5th-ranked defense (#2 vs. the pass).
Thanks mostly to a potent passing attack led by Kurt Warner and bolstered by the return of WR Anquan Boldin,
the Cardinals led by 14 early in the 3rd quarter. However a pair of turnovers and two Panther TDs within a minute
in the 3rd quarter enabled the Panthers to emerge with the win.
The Cardinals record fell to 4-3 but maintained a 2-game division lead when the 49ers & Rams both lost.
Boldin caught 9 passes for 63 yards a 2 TDs in his first action since suffering a head injury on a vicious hit at the
Jets that caused him to miss 2 games. Fellow WR Larry Fitzgerald had 115 yards on 7 catches and Steve Breaston was 9-91
receiving in the loss.
On Arizona’s first drive of the game, a 30-yard Boldin run on a reverse set up a 21-yard Neil
Rackers FG. Early in the 2nd, LB Karlos Dansby set the offense up at the CAR 5 when he sacked
Jake Delhomme, forcing a fumble that Dansby recovered. On the next play, Warner hit Boldin with a
5-yard TD pass. After punting on its first 3 series (including two 3-and-outs) Carolina proceeded to
move downfield on the fourth. On 1st-and-goal at the 4, WR Muhsin Muhammad dropped a sure TD
pass and the Panthers instead settled for a John Kasay FG. Late in the 2nd quarter
The Cardinals looked poised to add more points when Rackers lined up for a FG on 4th-and-15 at the CAR 21. Instead
the Cards tried a fake FG but holder Dirk Johnson’s completion to TE Jerame Tuman gained just 10 yards.
The Cardinals opened the 2nd half by moving 64 yards in 8 plays and capped the drive with a 2-yard Tim
Hightower TD run that put the Cards up 17-3. Carolina responded with its own long drive that ended
with a 15-yard TD run by Williams. On the 2nd play of the next drive Edgerrin James fumbled, turning
it over at the AZ18. The Panthers capitalized on the next play when Jake Delhomme hit Steve Smith
on an 18-yard TD pass that knotted the score at 17.
Arizona re-took the lead late in the 3rd when Boldin’s 2nd TD reception of the day (2 yards) capped an
11-play, 78-yard drive that made it 23-17 after the PAT snap was mishandled.
Carolina struck quickly again when Delhomme threw a short pass to Smith that he took 65 yards down the
left sideline. Smith appeared to step out of bounds near midfield and the Cards challenged but referee Walt
Coleman did not overturn the original call. Now down 1, Arizona moved to the Carolina 15 but Warner’s
2nd-and-3 pass bounced off J.J. Arrington’s hands and was picked off by LB Jon Beason. He returned the INT to
the Carolina 49 and that set up a 50-yard Kasay FG that gave the Panthers a 4-point lead.
Arizona’s next drive stalled near midfield and resulted in a punt. Taking over at their own 20 with 5:57 to
play, the Panthers converted three 3rd downs enabling the Panthers to run out the clock.
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Team | Qtr. | Time | Scoring Play | Drive | Score | |
Cardinals | 1 | 6:56 | Rackers 21-yard FG | 13-80, 6:24 | 3-0 | |
Cardinals | 2 | 11:16 | Boldin 5-yard pass from Warner (Rackers kick) | 1-5, 0:05 | 10-0 | |
Panthers | 2 | 5:42 | Kasay 23-yard FG | 14-72, 5:34 | 10-3 | |
Cardinals | 3 | 10:13 | Hightower 2-yard run (Rackers kick) | 8-64, 4:47 | 17-3 | |
Panthers | 3 | 6:54 | Williams 15-yard run (Kasay kick) | 6-80, 3:19 | 17-10 | |
Panthers | 3 | 6:10 | Smith 18-yard pass from Delhomme (Kasay kick) | 1-18, 0:05 | 17-17 | |
Cardinals | 3 | 0:58 | Boldin 2-yard pass from Warner (kick aborted) | 11-78, 5:12 | 23-17 | |
Panthers | 3 | 0:02 | Smith 65-yard pass from Delhomme (Kasay kick) | 3-73, 0:56 | 23-24 | |
Panthers | 4 | 9:09 | Kasay 50-yard FG | 5-19, 2:29 | 23-27 | |
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Statistics | Cardinals | Panthers | |
First Downs | 25 | 22 | |
Rushes-Yards | 14-50 | 29-113 | |
Net Passing Yards | 375 | 238 | |
Total Net Yards | 425 | 351 | |
Passing (A-C-I) | 51-36-1 | 28-20-0 | |
Sacked by Opp. | 2-16 | 1-10 | |
Punts-Average | 3-55.7 | 3-44.3 | |
Fumbles-Lost | 2-1 | 2-1 | |
Penalties | 7-60 | 3-25 | |
Time of Possession | 32:37 | 27:23 | |
RUSHING
Cardinals: Boldin 1-30; James 7-17; Hightower 6-3, TD.
Panthers: Williams 17-108, TD; Stewart 8-10; Hoover 1-3; Delhomme 2-(-2); Smith 1-(-6).
PASSING
Cardinals: Warner 35-49, 381 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT; D. Johnson 1-1, 10 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT; Arrington 0-1, 0 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT.
Panthers: Delhomme 20-28, 248 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT.
RECEIVING
Cardinals: Breaston 9-91; Boldin 9-63, 2 TD; Fitzgerald 7-115; Urban 4-51; Tuman 3-41; Hightower 2-18; Arrington 1-7; Doucet 1-5.
Panthers: Smith 5-117, 2 TD; Muhammad 5-38; King 3-41; Jarrett 2-25; Williams 2-15; Hoover 2-12; Stewart 1-0.
Arizona Cardinals Game Notes
Last week, the Arizona Cardinals won their 1st home playoff game since 1947 when team was in Chicago & won NFL
Championship. Cardinals 30 points last week were most in franchise history for playoff game. Won 1st division title since 1975 when team was in St. Louis & clinched NFC East Club scored 427 points, most in franchise history (423, 1984). Including last week, the Cardinals have
scored 30-plus points in 13 of past 25 games under head coach KEN WHISENHUNT. 5 Cardinals selected to this year's Pro Bowl: WRs ANQUAN BOLDIN (3rd) & LARRY FITZGERALD (3rd), ST SEAN MOREY (1st), QB KURT WARNER (4th) & S ADRIAN WILSON (2nd) QB Kurt Warner has passed for 365-plus yards in 4 postseason games, most in NFL history.
Warner Holds record for most passing yards in single postseason when he passed for 1,063 yards in 1999 with the
Saint Louis Cardinals.
WarnerIn starts with 15-plus attempts & 100.0-plus rating (including playoffs), his teams are 36-3 (.923). Has
6-2 (.750) postseason record.
Warner threw 2 longest TD passes in Cardinals franchise postseason history last week: 71 yards to Boldin & 42
yards to Fitzgerald. Warner has 3 postseason TD passes of 70-plus yards, tied for most in NFL history with Hall of Famers TERRY BRADSHAW &
JOHN ELWAY & BRETT FAVRE. Warner Passed for 381 yards versus Panthers in NFL 2008 Week 8 RB TIM HIGHTOWER tied for lead among NFL rookies with 10 rush touchdowns & set club rookie record. Rushed
for TD last week in 1st career playoff game. Had TD in Week 8 versus Panthers. RB EDGERRIN JAMES rushed for team-high 73 yards last week. James has 5 rush touchdowns in past 6 playoff games Fitzgerald (12), Boldin (11) & Hightower (10) became the 7th trio since 1970 to each score 10-plus touchdowns
in season. Fitzgerald (96), Boldin (89) & STEVE BREASTON (77) became 2nd WR trio in NFL history to record 75-plus receptions
in season (1989 Washington). Cardinals led NFL with 13 100-yard receiving games – Fitzgerald (7), Boldin (3) & Breaston
(3). Fitzgerald had 101 yards & 1 TD last week.
In Week 8 versus Panthers, Fitzgerald had 7 catches for 115 yards & Boldin scored 2 touchdowns. The Cardinals became the 5th team in NFL history with 3 1,000-yard receivers in season – Fitzgerald (1,431),
Boldin (1,038) & Breaston (1,006) Rookie CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE had interception in 1st playoff game last week & has 5 interceptions in
past 8 games, including 99-yard INT-TD, tied for longest INT-TD in franchise history.
S ANTREL ROLLE had a 27-yard fumble recovery for a TD last week, 1st defensive TD in franchise postseason
history. In career, has scored 5 touchdowns on 9 takeaways (8 interceptions, 1 FR).
DE ANTONIO SMITH had sack & safety last week. LB KARLOS DANSBY led team with career-high 126 tackles, his 3rd straight 100-tackle season. Had sack in
last meeting. S Wilson is 1 of 3 active safeties with 18-plus interceptions (18) & 18-plus sacks (18.5). Had interception (27 yards)
in 11/21/04 game at Carolina. CB RALPH BROWN has interception in 2 of past 3 playoff games ST Morey has played in 12 playoff games, most on team.
Carolina Panthers Game Notes
Panthers are 6-3 (.667) in postseason, best mark in NFL and are undefeated (3-0) in Divisional Playoff games. Head coach JOHN FOX is 5-2 (.714) in postseason.
The Panthers were perfect at home this season (8-0) Panthers had 4 players selected to Pro Bowl: LB JON BEASON (1st), T JORDAN GROSS (1st), DE JULIUS PEPPERS (4th) & WR STEVE SMITH (4th) QB JAKE DELHOMME averages 8.55 yards per attempt (1,642 yards, 192 attempts) in postseason career, highest mark
in NFL history (min. 150 attempts). In playoffs, Delhomme has completed 113 of 192 (58.9 pct.) for 1,642 yards with 11
touchdowns vs. 5 interceptions for 95.0 passer rating, 3rd best mark all-time (min. 150 attempts). This year at home,
Delhomme completed 121 of 187 (64.7 pct.) for 1,629 with 11 touchdowns vs. 5 interceptions for 100.8 rating. Had 4 games
at home this year with 110.0-plus rating. In career as starter (including playoffs), when Delhomme has 110.0-plus rating,
team is 17-1 (.944). Delhomme has never lost to the Arizona Cardinals (4-0) and compiled a 122.3 rating in NFL 2008 Week 8 in win against Cardinals RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS had team record 1,515 rush yards, 20 touchdowns, 18 rush touchdowns, 8 100-yard games & 8
straight games with TD. Had 6 TD runs of 30-plus yards, tied for 2nd most in NFL history with Hall of Famer JIM BROWN.
In final 9 games, Williams had 7 100-yard games & rushed for 1,101 yards (122.3 per game) & 16 touchdowns. Averages 8.5
yards per carry vs. Cardinals & has 229 yards (114.5 per game) & 2 touchdowns in 2 meetings. Aims for 3rd in row vs.
Cards with 100-plus yards & TD. The Panthers are 13-2 (.867) when Williams rushes for 80-plus yards.
RB JONATHAN STEWART tied for NFL rookie lead with 10 rush touchdowns, including 8 touchdowns at home. Williams (18) & Stewart (10) became 4th set of teammates with 10-plus rush touchdowns each in season. Williams
(1,515) & Stewart (836) also combined for 2,351 rush yards, 8th best total for teammates in a season WR Smith has 8 total touchdowns (6 receiving, 1 rush, 1 PR) in 7 career playoff games. In 2005 playoffs, Smith set
the record for most receptions (27) & became 1st player with receiving, rush & PR TD in same postseason. Had 404 receiving
yards in 2003 playoffs, 2nd most in NFL history (409, JERRY RICE, 1988). Has 739 yards in 7 playoff games for 105.6 yards
per game avg., best mark in NFL history (min. 5 games). Has 32 catches for 471 yards (117.8 per game) & 5 touchdowns in
past 4 vs. the Cardinals. Aims for 3rd meeting in row with 100-plus yards & 1-plus TD. Had 117 yards & 2 touchdowns
in Week 8. WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD had 352 yards in 2003 playoffs & combined with Smith (404) for most yards by teammates in
postseason (756) DE Peppers is 1st in team history with 70.5 sacks & 25 FFs. Has 14.5 sacks in past 14. Has 4.5 sacks & 5 FFs in
6 meetings. LB Beason led team in tackles for 2nd straight season. Had 3 interceptions, tied for most among LBs in NFC.
Had interception (44 yards) in Week 8. CB KEN LUCAS has interception in 2 of past 3 playoff games. DE CHARLES JOHNSON had
career-high 2.0 sacks in Week 8. Panthers are 14-4 (.778) when CB CHRIS GAMBLE has interception.
Cardinals & Panther in 2008 Regular Season STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT
The 2008 regular season averages and NFL rankings for Carolina and Arizona in some key statistical categories:
|
Cardinals | Category | Panthers | |
9-7 | Record | 12-4 | |
427 | Points Scored | 414 | |
426 | Points Allowed | 329 | |
51 | Touchdowns Scored | 47 | |
52 | Touchdowns Allowed | 37 | |
14 | Rushing TDs | 30 | |
31 | Passing TDs | 15 | |
6 | Return TDs | 2 | |
13 | Rushing TDs Allowed | 14 | |
36 | Passing TDs Allowed | 19 | |
3 | Return TDs Allowed | 4 | |
28/201 | Sacked/Yards Lost | 20/130 | |
27/15 | Fumbles/Lost | 12/7 | |
15 | Had Intercepted | 12 | |
25/28 | Field Goals Made/Attempted | 28/31 | |
365.8 | Total Yards Per Game | 349.7 | |
331.5 | Opp. Total Yards Per Game | 331.2 | |
73.6 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 152.3 | |
110.3 | Opp. Rushing Yards Per Game | 119.5 | |
292.1 | Passing Yards Per Game | 197.4 | |
221.3 | Opp. Passing Yards Per Game | 211.7 | |
Even | Turnover Ratio | +6 | |
30:09 | Average Time of Possession | 29:19 | |
4/32/2 | NFL Rank-Total Offense/Run/Pass | 10/3/19 | |
19/16/22 | NFL Rank-Total Defense/Run/Pass | 18/20/16 | |
1/6 | 2-Point Conversions | 1/1 | |
PREDICTION: Arizona Cardinals 28, Carolina Panthers 24
The Cardinals defeating a quality team on the road? No less one that's undefeated at home all season? Don't be
ridiculous.
Let's see ... it even gets crazier.
On top of the Panthers' perfect 8-0 home record, Carolina is undefeated in Divisional Playoff games (3-0),
Jake Delhomme has never lost to the Arizona Cardinals (4-0) and Delhomme was the better quarterback
compiling a 122.3 rating in their win against the Cardinals earlier this season. Plus the Panthers
are in the Strong NFC South while the Cardinals are in the Anemic NFC West.
Besides aren't the Panthers the overwhelmingly better team? Well, not exactly.
Yes, the Panthers have the better record against better competition.
However, Kurt Warner has the edge at
quarterback come playoff time and his receiving trio holds the edge even though Steve Smith can carry the Panthers
on his own. The Panthers have the better running game, but Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower are more than capable
and after last week appear to have hit their stride.
Yes, the Panthers have the better record against better competition.
However, at times, there's been questions as to how good they really are and, if indeed the Panthers are as good as their record.
Aside, from their back-to-back home wins against the reeling Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W 38-23 12/8/2008) and the
fade-away-into-the-night Denver Broncos, who have the Panthers really beat convincingly? The Bears (W 20-17) and
Lions (W 31-22) at home?
Logic and common sense dictate that the Panthers win this game easily. But, if there is a team this weekend
that can be caught by surprise and the law of averages, the Panthers are prime candidate.
Anticipate the Cardinals defense to build on their performance from last week and play beyond their capabilities,
while Kurt Warner and his new found balanced-attack / ball-control offense grinds out yards, chews up time and
catches the Panthers secondary by surprise a few times.
It's a long shot, but the Cardinals played NFL playoff football last week. And they'll do it again this week.
NFL WILD CARD WEEKEND RESULTS – JANUARY 3-4
(Home team in CAPS)
Saturday, January 3
ARIZONA 30, Atlanta 24
SAN DIEGO 23, Indianapolis 17 (OT)
Sunday, January 4
Baltimore 27, MIAMI 9
Philadelphia 26, MINNESOTA 14
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE – JANUARY 10-11
(All times Eastern)
Saturday, January 10
Baltimore at Tennessee, 4:30 PM (CBS)
Arizona at Carolina, 8:15 PM (FOX)
Sunday, January 11
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 1:00 PM (FOX)
San Diego at Pittsburgh, 4:45 PM (CBS)
RELATED NFL 2008 Playoffs
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2008 NFL Playoffs "Rematch" Weekend
NFL Playoffs Divisional Weekend: Round 2 In More Ways Than One
All four games this weekend -- Ravens vs Titans, Cards vs Panthers, Eagles vs Giants, Chargers vs. Steelers --
are rematches from the regular season. Add up the point differential in the 2008 regular-season meetings of the
teams playing in this weekend's four NFL Divisional Playoffs, and you get the grand total of -- 19 points.
And that's not in four games, but five, because one of this week's matchups is a division rematch. Think the games
in "Rematch Weekend" this Saturday and Sunday could be close? Could be!
Pass-Happy Cards Win with Defense & Running Game
Arizona Cardinals 30, Atlanta Falcons 24
The Cardinals defense was sensational, limiting Michael Turner to 42 rushing yards,
harassing Matt Ryan and scoring points on its own with a TD and safety. The offense was also strong as Edgerrin James
led a revitalized Cardinals ground game while Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald made big plays in the passing game.
Baltimore Ravens (12-5) at Tennessee Titans (13-3)
Saturday, CBS, 4:30 PM ET
Both teams excel in the turnover battle, finishing second (Tennessee, plus-14) and third (Baltimore, plus-13)
this season in NFL turnover differential. They are also quite similar on defense. Linemen who call for double-teams;
quick linebackers who can rush or drop back into coverage; and ball-hawking secondaries. But it certainly won't be all
defense.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-6-1) at New York Giants (12-4)
Sunday, FOX, 1:00 PM ET
The top-seeded New York Giants, champions of the NFC East, face their division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, for
the third time this season with a berth in the NFC Championship Game on the line. The Giants are 7-1 at home this
season while the Eagles are 4-4-1 on the road, including their 26-14 Wild Card victory over the Vikings last week
in Minnesota. The Giants lost to the Vikings in Minnesota 20-19 in their regular season finale. The Eagles have
won 5 of their last 6 while the Giants have lost 3 of their last 4 after an 11-1 start.
San Diego Chargers (9-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
Sunday, CBS, 4:45 PM ET
When San Diego travels to Pittsburgh on Sunday it will mark the first time in the NFL playoffs since Denver
(top offense) faced Baltimore (top defense) in the 2000 AFC Wild Card round that a conference's top scoring
offense goes against the top scoring defense.
Darren "Tank" Sproles Rumbles Over Colts
San Diego Chargers 23 Indianapolis Colts 17 (OT)
The Chargers rallied from a 17-14 fourth quarter deficit behind an outstanding defensive effort, punter Mike Scifres and the
all-purpose assault by Darren "Tank" Sproles to defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 23-17 in overtime. Sproles played the key
role in the Chargers AFC Wild Card win over Indianapolis, recording 328 all-purpose yards, third-most in an NFL Playoff
game.
Ravens Defense Forces 5 Dolphins Turnovers
Baltmore Ravens 27, Miami Dolphins 9
The Baltimore Ravens had the Miami Dolphins and Chad Pennington under pressure throughout the game as they forced
four interceptions, including one returned 64 yards for a touchdown by Ed Reed.
On Wild Card Weekend Everybody Starts on Equal Ground
In one of the most unpredictable and story-filled NFL regular seasons in memory, the road to Tampa Bay, Florida and Super
Bowl XLIII on February 1 begins this Saturday and Sunday with the NFL 2008 Playoffs and Wild Card Weekend. How each of
the NFL Playoff teams got here doesn't matter. Nor does it matter who got in first or who got in last. All that matters
is that they're here and ready to go.
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NFL 2008 PLAYOFFS RANKINGS
Once teams are ranked for the playoffs, positions do not change:
American Football Conference
1. Tennessee Titans (AFC South Division champion)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North Division champion)
3. Miami Dolphins (AFC East Division champion)
4. San Diego Chargers (AFC West Division champion)
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Baltimore Ravens
National Football Conference
1. New York Giants (NFC East Division champion)
2. Carolina Panthers (NFC South Division champion)
3. Minnesota Vikings (NFC North Division champion)
4. Arizona Cardinals (NFC West Division champion)
5. Atlanta Falcons
6. Philadelphia Eagles
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