There are four NFL games this weekend. Next weekend there will be two, then a weekend of nothing likely spent at the casino, and then the Super Bowl. Savor these games. It’s a long way from February to August.

Image Credit: Rich McGervy

Saturday, January 10 4:30 EST
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Tennessee Titans (13-3)

In the words of the Black Knight, “None shall pass!” None shall run, either, as two of the best defensive teams in the NFL face off in a rematch of the week 5 game which Tennessee won 13-10 in Baltimore. Both teams have intimidating defenses. The Ravens finished 2nd in the NFL in yards per game, and 3rd in points allowed. The Titans finished 7th in YPG and 2nd in points allowed. Tennessee is led by massive defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who is 12 feet tall and weighs 975 pounds, give or take. Haynesworth and fellow D-lineman Kyle Vandenbosch had both suffered from injuries in the later part of the season, but both are expected to play.

The Ravens are led by middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who is still one of the most intimidating people on the planet, and safety Ed Reed, who spent most of last week’s game against the Dolphins intercepting Chad Pennington on the way to a 27-9 Ravens win. In fact, Pennington threw as many touchdown passes to Ed Reed (1) as he did to his own team.

The Titans started the season with high expectations for franchise quarterback Vince Young. Young was injured, had some psychological problems, and never returned to the lineup. In his place is Kerry Collins, who seemingly entered the league sometime in the 70’s. Collins was the QB of the Giants when they lost 34-7 to the Ravens in the Super Bowl after the 2000 season.

In contrast to Collins’ age is the youth of Baltimore QB Joe Flacco, a rookie out of Delaware (yes, they have a football team- the Blue Hens).

Both of these teams are going to pound the ball on offense. Neither team has a marquee QB, and both of them thrive on creating pressure with their defense and generating turnovers and good field position for their offenses.

This game will be fun to watch for those old-school, defense-loving fans. Points are going to be hard to come by, and the game will likely come down to turnovers and field goals. Best of all, rain is in the forecast. These games should be played in the mud.

Prediction: Baltimore 13 Tennessee 9

Saturday, January 10 8:15 EST
Arizona Cardinals (9-7) at Carolina Panthers (12-4)

The Cardinals are a confusing team. They were 3rd in the NFL in points scored, and 4th in yardage. Of course, they put up those numbers playing in the woeful NFC West, where the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers won 2, 4 and 7 games respectively. They rank near the bottom of the league in defense (28th in points, 19th YPG). Many people expected the Cardinals to lose to the 11-5 Atlanta Falcons last week, but the Cardinals won their first home playoff game since the beginning of time.

The Panthers are more balanced. They have a strong running game led by the two-headed (and four-legged) monster of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Jake Delhomme is solid, and relies on the explosive Steve Smith in the passing game. Julius Peppers has regained his terrifying form at defensive end with 14.5 sacks during the regular season. The Panther’s balance is evident in their rankings. They are 10th in YPG and 7th in points on offense, 12th in points allowed on defense and 18th in YPG.

The Cardinals will rely on Kurt Warner’s accurate passing and the incredible receiving duo of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Unfortunately for the Cards, Boldin pulled a hamstring and might not play.

These teams played earlier, and the Panthers won a close one at home, 27-23. The Cardinals have been brutalized on several trips to the east coast, including losses of 56-35 to the Jets, 48-20 to the Eagles, 35-14 to the Vikings and 47-7 to the Patriots. The Cardinals should play with more intensity this time out, but if Boldin can’t play, then they’re probably screwed. The Panthers will move the ball on the ground and Julius Peppers will harass Warner all day. Even worse for Arizona, rain is predicted, which could further slow their passing attack.

Prediction: Carolina 38 Arizona 17

Sunday, January 11 1:00 EST
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at New York Giants (12-4)

These teams met twice during the regular season. New York won 36-31 in Philly, and the Eagles won the rematch 20-14 in NY. Both teams rank very well statistically. The Giants are 3rd in points and 7th in yards on offense, and 5th in points and yardage allowed on defense. The Eagles aren’t far behind, ranking 6th in points and 9th in yards on offense, and 4th in points and 3rd in yards on defense.

Despite their rankings, both of these teams have played some ugly games. The Eagles tied the helpless Bengals 13-13, which might be even more embarrassing than losing to them. They lost 36-7 at Baltimore, and lost twice to the mediocre Redskins, including 10-3 in week 16. On the other hand, they demolished the talented but disorganized Cowboys 44-6 with a playoff spot on the line, and they took care of Minnesota on the road 26-14. Which Eagle team will show up?

In 2007, the Giants were a wildcard team who got hot at the right time and made a miracle run to the Super Bowl. The topped it all off by upsetting the previously undefeated Patriots in a classic game. This year, the Giants are not peaking at the right time. They rolled through most of the regular season, but lost 3 of their last 4. Their star receiver, Plaxico Burress, shot himself in the leg at a nightclub in one of the strangest off-field incidents in recent years. Without him, the Giants have to rely on their powerful trio of running backs, led by the enormous Brandon Jacobs, and hope that Eli Manning can make plays through the air. The Giants lost Michael Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyiora to injury, but they still have a dangerous pass rush with Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka.

Donavan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are always dangerous for the Eagles on offense, and Jim Johnson loves to bring pressure as defensive coordinator. Desean Jackson might be the difference if he can provide a spark as a wide receiver or returner.

The Giants got hot as a wild card and beat the Cowboys in the playoffs last year. This year, the tables could very well be turned as the Eagles are the hot team coming in to face a division rival.

Prediction: Eagles 27 Giants 24

Sunday, January 11 4:45 EST
San Diego Chargers (8-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

How are the Chargers in the playoffs? They played miserable football over the course of the year. They were 4-8 at one point, and they nearly lost to the completely helpless, hapless and hopeless Kansas City Chiefs. They were down 17-14 to Indianapolis last week until the Colts decided to call Red 42 Quarterback Fallover on 3rd and 2, giving SD the tying field goal. The Chargers won the toss in OT, which is really the same as winning in OT. With some help from the refs, the Chargers advanced to the next round.

Which leaves some confusion as to what will happen next.

The Steelers are a juggernaut. They rank 1st in the NFL in yards allowed, and 1st in points allowed. Their outside linebacker James Harrison won defensive player of the year with 16 sacks. Troy Polamalu is a playmaker at safety, and the Steeler’s 3-4 scheme can bring pressure from every angle. QB Ben Roethlisberger should be healthy after his concussion in week 17, meaning Pittsburgh will have its leader on offense. They’ll need him, since they only ranked 20th in points and 22nd in yards on offense.

San Diego could be without the services of former all-everything running back Ladanian Tomlinson, who has a groin injury and may not play. Phillip Rivers has been hot at QB for the Chargers, leading them to the 2nd highest scoring average in the NFL. The defense has not been as stout after losing Sean Merriman to injury early in the year. They rank 15th in points allowed and 25th in yards. Darren Sproles was a huge playmaker against the Colts, but it is unlikely that he will have such a big game two weeks in a row.

Pittsburgh is playing at home, and their advantage there will be increased if the forecast for snow holds true. These teams played before, a weird game that ended 11-10 Steelers.

Given their defense, San Diego’s up and down season, the loss of LT, and the snow, I don’t see how Pittsburgh doesn’t come out on top. Of course, I thought the same thing about Indianapolis last week, and look what happened.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 20 San Diego 16