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This weekend's losses by the Titans (Ravens 13-10) and Giants (Eagles 23-11) marks the first time
that both conference top-seeds have been eliminated in the divisional round playoffs. The elimination of
the Titans and Giants also marks the third time that no top conference seed will advance to the Super Bowl (1992 &
1997). It is also the 4th year in a row where at least one top seed has been eliminated in the divisional round.
The last time both conference seeds advanced to the Super Bowl was 1993 when
the Dallas Cowboys
defeated the Buffalo Bills, 52-17, in Super Bowl XXVIII
Since the NFL expanded the playoff field from 10 to 12 teams in 1990 (six teams per conference), 36 conference
champions have been crowned.
Exactly half of those were No. 1 seeds in the playoffs. Seven No. 1 seeds in the AFC have made it to the
Super Bowl since 1990, and 11 NFC top seeds have appeared in the Super Bowl in the same period. Of those 18
conference champions, eight went on to claim the Super Bowl Championship and the Lombardi Trophy.
Top Seed Success in AFC & NFC since NFL playoff field expanded to 12 teams in 1990
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!
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.
Arizona Cardinals (10-7) at Carolina Panthers (12-4)
Saturday, FOX, 8:15 PM ET
Given the choice, the Cardinals would rather throw the ball. However, in last week's 30-24 Wild Card win over the Falcons
it was their defense and running attack which advanced the Cardinals to the next round. The Panthers love running the ball,
but Panthers QB Jake Delhomme was 20-of-28 for 248 yards, 2 TDs with 0 INTs for a 122.3 QB rating against the Cards in the
regular season. How will it all play out, especially in Carolina where the Panthers are undefeated this season?
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.
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.
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.
Falcons Visit Cardinals in Wild Card Weekend's 1st Matchup
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
The Arizona Cardinals, which scored a franchise record 424 points, boasts a high-flying attack led by QB
Kurt Warner and wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. The Atlanta Falcons are
in the postseason for the first time since 2004. The Falcons are led by rookie QB Matt Ryan and RB Michael
Turner. The Falcons ended the season winning five of their last six, and eight of their last 10.
Don't Be Misled by Colts & Bolts Regular Season Records
Indianapolis Colts (12-4) at San Diego Chargers (8-8) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
Returning to San Diego for the second time in seven weeks to face a familiar playoff foe, the
Indianapolis Colts, 12-4, meet the San Diego Chargers, 8-8, on Saturday, January 3. The Colts and Chargers met on November 23 this season.
Indianapolis earned a 23-20 last-play victory over San Diego.
Ravens Seek to Defeat Dolphins Again in Miami
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Miami Dolphins (11-5) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
The game is a rematch of a regular season game between these teams this year, when Baltimore
registered a 27-13 win on October 19 at Dolphin Stadium. The Ravens head to Miami hoping to
return with the same result.
Eagles and Vikings on a Mission
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6) NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend
After weak starts this season, both teams finished strong to propel themselves into the NFL 2008 playoffs.
They both started the season slowly. The Eagles were 2-3; the Vikings 1-3. But both finished the season with strong
winning streaks as the Eagles won 4 of their last 5, while the Vikings won 5 of their last 6.
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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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