Playoffs?....Playoffs?  I'm not talking about playoffs…that iconic phrase u heard by former Colts Head Coach Jim Mora now occupies a place in NFL folklore forever.  But its simplicity signifies a deeper meaning here.  It shows how important the playoffs are to all NFL teams.  Hope springs eternal as they say and so the coaches, players, and especially the fans have renewed hope in the extra season.  They've seen it happen before; a wild card team with absolutely no chance of winning suddenly sees everything fall their way(providing for the fact that they're playing winning football) and somehow their team is in the big game competing for a championship.  Heady times for any NFL fan to be sure and especially when its unexpected.  And if you don't believe it can happen, a look back to recent history shows how the wild card NY Giants defeated the unbeaten NE Patriots.  So the wild card weekend will be upon us before we know it.  Lets evaluate the QBs and defenses for this weekends tilts.  

   

  Saturday games begin with the surprising Cincinnati Bengals visiting the Houston Texans.  This is the first time for Houston in a playoff game.  Both teams are playing rookie QBs.  Andy Dalton as a starter for the year and Tyler Yates, a rookie thrown into the fire the last few games.  This makes for an interesting viewing, but I believe that defense will win this game and the Houston Texans have been playing lights out.  As a unit all year and with defensive head coach Wade Phillips back after surgery, they'll play inspired football to be sure.  

   

  Saturday evening's game has the playoff starved Detroit Lions going to New Orleans to play the Saints.  A rejuvenated Saints to be blunt, who have they're eyes fixed on another Lombardi trophy.  The last time these two met, Drew Brees and Co. dominated.  There is nothing I see to change my mind, although Matt Stafford and his talented corps of WRs could give NO secondary some difficulty in the end.  But Detroit can't beat the very talented Saints.  

   

  Sunday's game pits the NFC East winner New York Giants against the wild card Atlanta Falcons.  Once again this game looks like a battle between two top NFL QBs in Eli Manning and Matt Ryan.  Both of their strong armed QBs have the ability to dominate a football game.  With both teams having a strong running attack and excellent receivers on both sides of the ball, this game looks like another defensive struggle.  The Giants have a better defensive line while Atlanta plays great team defense.  Look for this one to be close with the Giants kicking a field goal to win.  

   

  Sunday's afternoons game is an exciting matchup between the AFC West division winning Denver Broncos and the veteran playoff tested Pittsburgh Steelers.  The duel between Tim Tebow and the Steelers' defense looks to be the story here, even though Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger has a high ankle sprain and depleted running game.  He's got a group of some of the best WR in the league, which should keep Denver off balance.  If Pittsburgh can keep Tebow in the pocket and force him to throw, it could be a long day for the Broncos.