Super Bowl packages are still on the minds of fans of the Cardinals, Chargers, Ravens, and Eagles. All four of these teams had impressive wins in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs. As such, they all get to move on to the NFL Divisional Playoffs.
The Arizona Cardinals dominated the Atlanta Falcons, winning the game 30 - 24. Typically, the Cardinals are a team that passes the ball almost exclusively. However, the Cardinals ran the ball very effectively with Edgerrin James leading the way. Strong running by James, combined with two long touchdowns passes by Kurt Warner -- one to each of his star wide receivers, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquoan Boldin -- powered the Cardinals past the Falcons. They move on to play the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, NC on Saturday January 10, 2009. The Panthers were the only team in the NFL to win all eight of their home games this season. So this looks to be a tough match up for the Cardinals. Super Bowl packages for the Cardinals seems unlikely.
The other NFC wild card game pitted the Minnesota Vikings against the Philadelphia Eagles. In a tough defensive battle, the Eagles beat the Vikings 26 - 14 and move on to play the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ next Sunday January 11, 2009. The Eagles offense typically is centered around their star running back, Brian Westbrook. However, the Vikings had shut Westbrook down until late in the game when Westbrook caught a short screen pass and turned it into a 71 yard touchdown, turning a close game into an Eagles victory. The Eagles have beaten the Giants at New York in December. When they last played, Westbrook had a tremendous game. The Eagles will be very confident going into this game and keep their fans thinking about Super Bowl packages for yet another week.
In the AFC, the division winning 8-8 San Diego Chargers beat the Indianapolis Colts 23 - 17 in overtime. The game came down to one play late in the fourth quarter. Just before the two minute warning, with the Colts leading 17 - 14, Indianapolis had a 3rd down and just two yards to go from their own nine yard line. The Chargers had used all of their time outs. If the Colts were able to convert that third down, they would be able to run out the clock and advance in the playoffs. However, the Colts lacked the confidence in their running game, and elected to pass. Peyton Manning was sacked at the one yard line forcing a punt. Darren Sproles returned the punt to the Colts 38 yard line, and then were able to kick the tying field goal. Sproles then scored the winning touchdown in overtime. Excellent work by the Chargers punter kept the Colts pinned deep in their own territory throughout the game. The San Diego Chargers advance and move on to Pittsburgh. Super Bowl packages are still very mcuh on the minds of Chargers' fans.
In the other AFC wild card game, the Baltimore Ravens' smothering defense crushed the Miami Dolphins 27 - 9. The Dolphins, who along with the New York Giants, set a record for the fewest turnovers in a season, thirteen, committed five turnovers in this game. Chad Pennington was intercepted four times. One was returned for a touchdown by Ed Reed. The Ravens move on to play the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, TN next weekend. The #1 seeded Titans and their fans are still the favorites to be making plans for Super Bowl packages.
Super Bowl packages for this year's big game are available to everyone, but for fans of the Titans, Steelers, Chargers, Ravens, Giants, Panthers, Eagles, and Cardinals, they are all just two wins away.
