The Green Bay Packers pounded the Arizona Cardinals in August when it mattered not. They pounded them again last week when it mattered only a little. Now the teams will meet for a third time at Arizona in a game that matters a whole lot.
The winner of today’s playoff game will advance to the next round and keep its Super Bowl dream alive. The Cardinals know what they have to do to be that team.
"We have to play better than we played in the previous two games," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt understated to reporters this past week.
Here are five story lines to follow in the final game of this wild-card weekend:
Arizona’s walking wounded
Three Cardinals starters are questionable after injuries in last week’s game. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin (high left ankle sprain, left knee sprain), cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (bruised left kneecap) and free safety Antrel Rolle (bruised thigh) all missed parts, or all, of practice this week. In addition, defensive end Calais Campbell has a broken thumb and is wearing a cast.
Losing Boldin would be a blow to Arizona’s passing attack. Without him, Steve Breaston would be the starter opposite Larry Fitzgerald and Early Doucet would step in as the No. 3 man.
"You don’t replace guys like that," quarterback Kurt Warner told reporters.
"You just can’t plug somebody else in and get the same productivity, the same leadership and the same competitiveness."
Third down, Packers
Trying to stop Green Bay from moving the chains and keeping drives alive will be a challenge for Arizona. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the NFL in third-down passing this season. His statistics were eye-popping: 67.5 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns and no interceptions.
"I don’t like throwing interceptions, and I don’t like not converting third downs," Rodgers said. "It’s a heightened sense of focus and something we work on in practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday."
Watch out for Woodson
Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson is 33 and in his 12th season, but he has played lights out. He is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year after tying for the league lead in interceptions (nine), including one he returned 45 yards for a touchdown in last week’s game.
Woodson just doesn’t line up and cover wide receivers. In Green Bay’s 3-4 defense, he’ll blitz from the slot, play the role of "rover" in the middle, and sometimes play safety.
"I think Charles is extraordinary," Packers coach Mike McCarthy told Arizona reporters during a conference call. "He has really given (coordinator) Dom Capers and our defensive staff a lot of flexibility as far as the way we can use him."
Covering Fitzgerald
Although Fitzgerald will be the biggest playmaker on the field, don’t expect him to be matched up against Woodson the whole game. When Woodson moves inside to the slot, the challenge of covering Fitzgerald will fall to cornerback Tramon Williams, who became a starter when Al Harris suffered a season-ending injury, or Jarrett Bush, who replaced Williams as the nickel back.
Bush has allowed several pass plays of 20 or more yards. He often appears to be in good coverage position but struggles to make a play on the ball.
Warner’s blind side
When Mike Gandy suffered a season-ending injury last month, Jeremy Bridges became the Cardinals’ left tackle. He played well against Vikings end Jared Allen in Week 13. Now he faces another pass-rushing threat in Packers rookie outside linebacker Clay Matthews (10 sacks).
The Cardinals can give Bridges occasional help with a tight end or a running back chipping Matthews, but with all of the spread formations they use, Bridges will be matched up one-on-one against Matthews often.
This story appears in Jan. 10’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
The Green Bay Packers pounded the Arizona Cardinals in August when it mattered not. They pounded them again last week when it mattered only a little. Now the teams will meet for a third time at Arizona in a game that matters a whole lot.
The winner of today’s playoff game will advance to the next round and keep its Super Bowl dream alive. The Cardinals know what they have to do to be that team.
"We have to play better than we played in the previous two games," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt understated to reporters this past week.
Here are five story lines to follow in the final game of this wild-card weekend:
Arizona’s walking wounded
Three Cardinals starters are questionable after injuries in last week’s game. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin (high left ankle sprain, left knee sprain), cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (bruised left kneecap) and free safety Antrel Rolle (bruised thigh) all missed parts, or all, of practice this week. In addition, defensive end Calais Campbell has a broken thumb and is wearing a cast.
Losing Boldin would be a blow to Arizona’s passing attack. Without him, Steve Breaston would be the starter opposite Larry Fitzgerald and Early Doucet would step in as the No. 3 man.
"You don’t replace guys like that," quarterback Kurt Warner told reporters.
"You just can’t plug somebody else in and get the same productivity, the same leadership and the same competitiveness."
Third down, Packers
Trying to stop Green Bay from moving the chains and keeping drives alive will be a challenge for Arizona. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the NFL in third-down passing this season. His statistics were eye-popping: 67.5 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns and no interceptions.
"I don’t like throwing interceptions, and I don’t like not converting third downs," Rodgers said. "It’s a heightened sense of focus and something we work on in practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday."
Watch out for Woodson
Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson is 33 and in his 12th season, but he has played lights out. He is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year after tying for the league lead in interceptions (nine), including one he returned 45 yards for a touchdown in last week’s game.
Woodson just doesn’t line up and cover wide receivers. In Green Bay’s 3-4 defense, he’ll blitz from the slot, play the role of "rover" in the middle, and sometimes play safety.
"I think Charles is extraordinary," Packers coach Mike McCarthy told Arizona reporters during a conference call. "He has really given (coordinator) Dom Capers and our defensive staff a lot of flexibility as far as the way we can use him."
Covering Fitzgerald
Although Fitzgerald will be the biggest playmaker on the field, don’t expect him to be matched up against Woodson the whole game. When Woodson moves inside to the slot, the challenge of covering Fitzgerald will fall to cornerback Tramon Williams, who became a starter when Al Harris suffered a season-ending injury, or Jarrett Bush, who replaced Williams as the nickel back.
Bush has allowed several pass plays of 20 or more yards. He often appears to be in good coverage position but struggles to make a play on the ball.
Warner’s blind side
When Mike Gandy suffered a season-ending injury last month, Jeremy Bridges became the Cardinals’ left tackle. He played well against Vikings end Jared Allen in Week 13. Now he faces another pass-rushing threat in Packers rookie outside linebacker Clay Matthews (10 sacks).
The Cardinals can give Bridges occasional help with a tight end or a running back chipping Matthews, but with all of the spread formations they use, Bridges will be matched up one-on-one against Matthews often.
This story appears in Jan. 10’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
Pete Carroll has reportedly agreed to terms to become the new coach of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and leave the monster of a program he built at USC. Sporting News’ Matt Hayes addresses three burning questions the move raises:
1. Can he succeed? No. His 33-31 regular-season record (1-2 in the postseason) with the Jets and Patriots in the 1990s is much more the norm than exception in the coach-eating league. The NFL is set up for parity; the Pac-10 was set up for USC to dominate.
2. Will USC disappear? No. But the program won’t be nearly as dominant without Carroll’s dynamic personality wooing elite recruits. That unique campus and those magnificent facilities (that’s sarcasm) weren’t landing recruits.
3. Who’s best suited for the USC job? If one NFL washout works, why not another? Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, a USC alum, is treading water in Jacksonville. A defense-first, charismatic coach — haven’t we seen this before?
Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.
This story will appear in the January 10 edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free.
Pete Carroll has reportedly agreed to terms to become the new coach of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and leave the monster of a program he built at USC. Sporting News’ Matt Hayes addresses three burning questions the move raises:
1. Can he succeed? No. His 33-31 regular-season record (1-2 in the postseason) with the Jets and Patriots in the 1990s is much more the norm than exception in the coach-eating league. The NFL is set up for parity; the Pac-10 was set up for USC to dominate.
2. Will USC disappear? No. But the program won’t be nearly as dominant without Carroll’s dynamic personality wooing elite recruits. That unique campus and those magnificent facilities (that’s sarcasm) weren’t landing recruits.
3. Who’s best suited for the USC job? If one NFL washout works, why not another? Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, a USC alum, is treading water in Jacksonville. A defense-first, charismatic coach — haven’t we seen this before?
Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.
This story will appear in the January 10 edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free.
Sporting News staff reports
Talks between the Twins and free-agent lefthander Jarrod Washburn have stalled, according to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The newspaper reported Washburn recently turned down a one-year, $5 million offer from the team.
Washburn slumped badly (7.33 ERA in seven starts) after being traded from Seattle to Detroit late last season, but a knee injury was at least partially to blame. He had knee surgery following the season.
The Brewers also have expressed interest in signing Washburn.
Sporting News staff reports
Talks between the Twins and free-agent lefthander Jarrod Washburn have stalled, according to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The newspaper reported Washburn recently turned down a one-year, $5 million offer from the team.
Washburn slumped badly (7.33 ERA in seven starts) after being traded from Seattle to Detroit late last season, but a knee injury was at least partially to blame. He had knee surgery following the season.
The Brewers also have expressed interest in signing Washburn.
Sporting News staff reports
The Mets are considering adding free-agent P John Smoltz to their rotation, according to the New York Daily News.
A source told the newspaper that the 42-year-old righthander is "in the pool" of pitchers the team is interested in signing.
Smoltz went 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA in eight starts for the Red Sox last season before being released. He found new life after signing with the Cardinals, however, posting a 4.26 ERA in seven starts. He struck out 40 in 38 innings with St. Louis.
The Daily News listed free-agent starters Joel Pineiro, Doug Davis and Jon Garland as other possibilities for the Mets. Meanwhile, talks between the team and free-agent catcher Bengie Molina remain stalled.
Sporting News staff reports
The Mets are considering adding free-agent P John Smoltz to their rotation, according to the New York Daily News.
A source told the newspaper that the 42-year-old righthander is "in the pool" of pitchers the team is interested in signing.
Smoltz went 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA in eight starts for the Red Sox last season before being released. He found new life after signing with the Cardinals, however, posting a 4.26 ERA in seven starts. He struck out 40 in 38 innings with St. Louis.
The Daily News listed free-agent starters Joel Pineiro, Doug Davis and Jon Garland as other possibilities for the Mets. Meanwhile, talks between the team and free-agent catcher Bengie Molina remain stalled.
USC coach Pete Carroll is on the verge of leaving college to take over the Seattle Seahawks. Here are five challenges Carroll will face if he takes the leap back to the NFL:
Pete Carroll won’t be able to win many games on talent alone in Seattle.
1. Win without talent stacked in his favor. Carroll was a master college recruiter, and in most games his USC teams had the superior roster. That will not be the case in the NFL, especially now with Seattle. The Seahawks are 9-23 over the past two seasons for a reason. This is not a good team. Their roster needs a serious makeover, and Carroll will not be able to fix it by landing a bunch of stud recruits and plugging them into the lineup.
2. Make the right personnel moves. Though he will have a general manager, Carroll reportedly wants final say over personnel. Be careful what you wish for. It is difficult to juggle the dual roles of coaching and compiling a roster. Salary cap concerns, contracts, free agency and preparing for the draft are issues Carroll did not have to worry about at USC. A key for Carroll will be having the correct people around him, competent people he can trust to help him build a winning organization. There are conflicting reports as to how much personnel control Seahawks owner Paul Allen is willing to give Carroll. But no matter how Carroll’s input into personnel is defined, his plate will be full, and he must be careful not to spread himself too thin.
3. Deal with NFL players. Coaching veteran NFL players is a different dynamic than coaching teenagers. Carroll has ample NFL coaching experience, both as an assistant and as a head coach with the Jets (1994) and the Patriots (1997-99). But that was more than a decade ago. Will Carroll enjoy dealing with pros as much as he enjoyed dealing with his players at USC? Will he be able to motivate players as successfully? Will he be able to manage all the egos in an NFL locker room — both his players’ and his own?
Seahawks defensive end Lawrence Jackson, who played for Carroll at USC, said the coach has the experience to make a smooth transition. "We’re dealing with a coach who has a track record of success," Jackson said on Sporting News Radio. "His philosophy worked obviously at USC. I think he would have to go back to his experience in the NFL, recount the things he felt he did wrong and the things he felt he did right. Use the experience he got at USC in dealing with players who have gone on to the league and have been successful. I think that he’s smart enough to be able to adjust on the fly."
4. Handle losses. It was rare for Carroll’s USC teams to lose more than twice a year. If Carroll comes to Seattle, he might lose two games by Week 3. Carroll knows that — he had a 33-31 record with the Jets and Patriots — but the sick feeling that comes with losing is something coaches never get used to. Coaching at a dominant college program insulated Carroll from having to deal with defeat on a regular basis. That could change quickly in Seattle.
5. Assemble an effective coaching staff. This is critical for any football coach, and it would be an immediate priority for Carroll. He reportedly is trying to persuade USC offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates to join him with the Seahawks, although Bates has a chance to become the Bears’ new offensive coordinator. The coaching carousel is well under way, and Carroll must move quickly to lure the assistants he wants and needs.
After suffering through a 4-12 season, Seahawks players should be welcome to change. Wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh was sorry to see Jim Mora get fired, but hoped Carroll’s USC success would transfer to the Seahawks. "If it is Pete Carroll, I talked to (Bengals quarterback) Carson (Palmer) for about an hour," Houshmandzadeh told Todd Wright on Sporting News Radio. "He had nothing but good things to say. I’ll be excited about it."
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
USC coach Pete Carroll is on the verge of leaving college to take over the Seattle Seahawks. Here are five challenges Carroll will face if he takes the leap back to the NFL:
Pete Carroll won’t be able to win many games on talent alone in Seattle.
1. Win without talent stacked in his favor. Carroll was a master college recruiter, and in most games his USC teams had the superior roster. That will not be the case in the NFL, especially now with Seattle. The Seahawks are 9-23 over the past two seasons for a reason. This is not a good team. Their roster needs a serious makeover, and Carroll will not be able to fix it by landing a bunch of stud recruits and plugging them into the lineup.
2. Make the right personnel moves. Though he will have a general manager, Carroll reportedly wants final say over personnel. Be careful what you wish for. It is difficult to juggle the dual roles of coaching and compiling a roster. Salary cap concerns, contracts, free agency and preparing for the draft are issues Carroll did not have to worry about at USC. A key for Carroll will be having the correct people around him, competent people he can trust to help him build a winning organization. There are conflicting reports as to how much personnel control Seahawks owner Paul Allen is willing to give Carroll. But no matter how Carroll’s input into personnel is defined, his plate will be full, and he must be careful not to spread himself too thin.
3. Deal with NFL players. Coaching veteran NFL players is a different dynamic than coaching teenagers. Carroll has ample NFL coaching experience, both as an assistant and as a head coach with the Jets (1994) and the Patriots (1997-99). But that was more than a decade ago. Will Carroll enjoy dealing with pros as much as he enjoyed dealing with his players at USC? Will he be able to motivate players as successfully? Will he be able to manage all the egos in an NFL locker room — both his players’ and his own?
Seahawks defensive end Lawrence Jackson, who played for Carroll at USC, said the coach has the experience to make a smooth transition. "We’re dealing with a coach who has a track record of success," Jackson said on Sporting News Radio. "His philosophy worked obviously at USC. I think he would have to go back to his experience in the NFL, recount the things he felt he did wrong and the things he felt he did right. Use the experience he got at USC in dealing with players who have gone on to the league and have been successful. I think that he’s smart enough to be able to adjust on the fly."
4. Handle losses. It was rare for Carroll’s USC teams to lose more than twice a year. If Carroll comes to Seattle, he might lose two games by Week 3. Carroll knows that — he had a 33-31 record with the Jets and Patriots — but the sick feeling that comes with losing is something coaches never get used to. Coaching at a dominant college program insulated Carroll from having to deal with defeat on a regular basis. That could change quickly in Seattle.
5. Assemble an effective coaching staff. This is critical for any football coach, and it would be an immediate priority for Carroll. He reportedly is trying to persuade USC offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates to join him with the Seahawks, although Bates has a chance to become the Bears’ new offensive coordinator. The coaching carousel is well under way, and Carroll must move quickly to lure the assistants he wants and needs.
After suffering through a 4-12 season, Seahawks players should be welcome to change. Wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh was sorry to see Jim Mora get fired, but hoped Carroll’s USC success would transfer to the Seahawks. "If it is Pete Carroll, I talked to (Bengals quarterback) Carson (Palmer) for about an hour," Houshmandzadeh told Todd Wright on Sporting News Radio. "He had nothing but good things to say. I’ll be excited about it."
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
Sporting News staff reports
Unable to garner much interest from an AL team looking for a DH, free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi told the Denver Post that he remains open to the idea of re-signing with the Rockies.
Giambi hit .292 with two homers and 11 RBIs after joining the Rockies last August. He would be only a reserve in Colorado.
According to the newspaper, the Rockies also are interested in free agent infielders Fernando Tatis and Robb Quinlan for their bench.
Sporting News staff reports
Unable to garner much interest from an AL team looking for a DH, free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi told the Denver Post that he remains open to the idea of re-signing with the Rockies.
Giambi hit .292 with two homers and 11 RBIs after joining the Rockies last August. He would be only a reserve in Colorado.
According to the newspaper, the Rockies also are interested in free agent infielders Fernando Tatis and Robb Quinlan for their bench.
Sporting News staff reports
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Pirates have focused their attention on free-agent reliever Octavio Dotel. At the same time, they might be backing away from free-agent outfielder Rick Ankiel.
According to the newspaper, the Pirates already have made an offer to Dotel, who would serve as the team’s closer. The only other remaining free agents with closing experience are Jose Valverde and Kevin Gregg. The Pirates have a ninth-inning void to fill after allowing Matt Capps to become a free agent. He signed with the Washington Nationals this week.
As for Ankiel, Pittsburgh won’t guarantee him a starting job, something Ankiel’s agent, Scott Boras, is demanding in contract talks. The Post-Gazette listed free-agent outfielders Xavier Nady, Ryan Church and Rocco Baldelli as other possible targets for the Pirates.
Sporting News staff reports
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Pirates have focused their attention on free-agent reliever Octavio Dotel. At the same time, they might be backing away from free-agent outfielder Rick Ankiel.
According to the newspaper, the Pirates already have made an offer to Dotel, who would serve as the team’s closer. The only other remaining free agents with closing experience are Jose Valverde and Kevin Gregg. The Pirates have a ninth-inning void to fill after allowing Matt Capps to become a free agent. He signed with the Washington Nationals this week.
As for Ankiel, Pittsburgh won’t guarantee him a starting job, something Ankiel’s agent, Scott Boras, is demanding in contract talks. The Post-Gazette listed free-agent outfielders Xavier Nady, Ryan Church and Rocco Baldelli as other possible targets for the Pirates.
Sporting News staff reports
Vladimir Guerrero eventually could sign with the Rangers, though the Fort Worth Star-Telegram continues to report that the team has yet to make an official offer to the free-agent outfielder/DH.
SI.com and the Rangers’ Web site reported Friday that the team had offered Guerrero a one-year contract. Texas would pay Guerrero $5 million plus incentives, according to SI.com.
Earlier reports indicated Guerrero, 34, is seeking a two-year contract. Last year he completed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Injuries limited Guerrero to 100 games last year, and he posted career lows in batting average (.295), on-base percentage (.334) and slugging percentage (.460).
Sporting News staff reports
Vladimir Guerrero eventually could sign with the Rangers, though the Fort Worth Star-Telegram continues to report that the team has yet to make an official offer to the free-agent outfielder/DH.
SI.com and the Rangers’ Web site reported Friday that the team had offered Guerrero a one-year contract. Texas would pay Guerrero $5 million plus incentives, according to SI.com.
Earlier reports indicated Guerrero, 34, is seeking a two-year contract. Last year he completed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Injuries limited Guerrero to 100 games last year, and he posted career lows in batting average (.295), on-base percentage (.334) and slugging percentage (.460).
First-round playoff games are hard enough to predict without complications like the rematch factor coming off a Week 17 meeting. Throw in the fact the New York Jets earned their playoff berth by defeating two teams — the Cincinnati Bengals, their opponent today in the NFL’s wild-card opener at Cincinnati, and the Indianapolis Colts — that already had clinched playoff berths and decided to rest key starters and logical forecasting become almost impossible.
After celebrating a victory to make a playoffs, the Jets go hunting Bengals again.
Asked earlier this week if his team has an edge in their rematch with the Bengals, based on their 37-0 victory in the regular-season finale at Giants Stadium, Jets coach Rex Ryan shrugged and said, "I don’t know. Nobody’s been through this. … I guess you’d have to ask them or somebody a lot smarter than me. I can’t figure it out."
Ryan was not being totally serious. After all, this is the same guy who also said he thought the Jets should be favored to win it all. But just how unusual has this week been?
"We did all our preparation for the Bengals last week," Jets safety Jim Leonhard said. "So you feel like you are way ahead. But at the same time, you know this is a playoff game. So you have to go back and hit that film harder and try to find something new."
In a rematch in which much is uncertain, these three things are known:
Carson Palmer has solid numbers, but he wants a better outcome on Saturday.
1. The Jets have the momentum
While the AFC North champion Bengals (10-6) struggled down the stretch, losing three of their past four, the Jets won five of their past six to finish 9-7. However, the Week 16 victory at Indianapolis was tainted by coach Jim Caldwell’s decision to pull several key starters, including quarterback Peyton Manning, with his team leading in the third quarter.
2. The Bengals have the better quarterback
Veteran Carson Palmer has thrown 21 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions while directing a Bengals attack that relies on Cedric Benson, who sat out last week’s loss to the Jets but still rushed for 1,251 yards this season.
Jets rookie Mark Sanchez has been almost the exact opposite, throwing 20 interceptions and 12 touchdown passes. But after throwing 16 interceptions during the team’s 4-6 start, he has thrown only four in his past five starts while guiding an attack that relies on Thomas Jones, who rushed for a career-best 1,402 yards.
3. The Jets have the better defense
Inspired by Ryan and his schematic brilliance, the Jets surrendered a league-low 236 points (14.8 per game). But they could be hampered Saturday by an ankle sprain that could slow inside linebacker and leading tackler David Harris.
The Bengals aren’t far behind, having yielded 291 points (18.2 per game), and they return three starters — linemen Robert Geathers and Domata Peko and safety Chris Crocker — who sat out last week’s loss. That should make them much more competitive after allowing 257 yards rushing to the Jets last week.
This story appears in Jan. 9’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
First-round playoff games are hard enough to predict without complications like the rematch factor coming off a Week 17 meeting. Throw in the fact the New York Jets earned their playoff berth by defeating two teams — the Cincinnati Bengals, their opponent today in the NFL’s wild-card opener at Cincinnati, and the Indianapolis Colts — that already had clinched playoff berths and decided to rest key starters and logical forecasting become almost impossible.
After celebrating a victory to make a playoffs, the Jets go hunting Bengals again.
Asked earlier this week if his team has an edge in their rematch with the Bengals, based on their 37-0 victory in the regular-season finale at Giants Stadium, Jets coach Rex Ryan shrugged and said, "I don’t know. Nobody’s been through this. … I guess you’d have to ask them or somebody a lot smarter than me. I can’t figure it out."
Ryan was not being totally serious. After all, this is the same guy who also said he thought the Jets should be favored to win it all. But just how unusual has this week been?
"We did all our preparation for the Bengals last week," Jets safety Jim Leonhard said. "So you feel like you are way ahead. But at the same time, you know this is a playoff game. So you have to go back and hit that film harder and try to find something new."
In a rematch in which much is uncertain, these three things are known:
Carson Palmer has solid numbers, but he wants a better outcome on Saturday.
1. The Jets have the momentum
While the AFC North champion Bengals (10-6) struggled down the stretch, losing three of their past four, the Jets won five of their past six to finish 9-7. However, the Week 16 victory at Indianapolis was tainted by coach Jim Caldwell’s decision to pull several key starters, including quarterback Peyton Manning, with his team leading in the third quarter.
2. The Bengals have the better quarterback
Veteran Carson Palmer has thrown 21 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions while directing a Bengals attack that relies on Cedric Benson, who sat out last week’s loss to the Jets but still rushed for 1,251 yards this season.
Jets rookie Mark Sanchez has been almost the exact opposite, throwing 20 interceptions and 12 touchdown passes. But after throwing 16 interceptions during the team’s 4-6 start, he has thrown only four in his past five starts while guiding an attack that relies on Thomas Jones, who rushed for a career-best 1,402 yards.
3. The Jets have the better defense
Inspired by Ryan and his schematic brilliance, the Jets surrendered a league-low 236 points (14.8 per game). But they could be hampered Saturday by an ankle sprain that could slow inside linebacker and leading tackler David Harris.
The Bengals aren’t far behind, having yielded 291 points (18.2 per game), and they return three starters — linemen Robert Geathers and Domata Peko and safety Chris Crocker — who sat out last week’s loss. That should make them much more competitive after allowing 257 yards rushing to the Jets last week.
This story appears in Jan. 9’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
IRVING, Texas — It’s rare when a wild-card playoff game is a rematch of a Week 17 meeting. The NFC has defied even the greatest of odds to have two such contests this weekend.
Although the Dallas Cowboys would be happy if most recent history repeated itself, the Philadelphia Eagles hope their embarrassing 24-0 loss at Cowboys Stadium last Sunday quickly becomes a distant memory.
Cowboys defenders must locate Brent Celek and beware of potential mismatches.
You can bet the Eagles will be well-prepared and a much better team. That’s assuming they fix some of the things that went wrong in the regular-season finale. Not to be outdone, the Cowboys know they need to be ready to counteradjust.
1. Brent Celek is a tough matchup
The Eagles’ passing game is so diverse and loaded with skill players that it’s hard to shut it down. Though Dallas’ defense excelled at taking away the big play downfield last week, it left tight end Celek in good position to gain chunks of yardage on intermediate routes. He finished with seven catches for 96 yards.
Because of Celek’s athleticism, the Eagles can move him around and get him open against a defender who’s either smaller or slower.
"He’s made some big plays all year," Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter said. "They had some wrinkles for us last game, and they probably will have more wrinkles this week."
After a slow start, Anthony Spencer is spending time looking down at QBs.
The key for Dallas is having a handle on how the Eagles have used Celek all season. But at the same time, they don’t want to focus on him to the point where it opens up deeper routes for DeSean Jackson.
2. Anthony Spencer is on a tear
Spencer, a Cowboys outside linebacker, led the charge against Philadelphia’s front five, which was trying to adjust to life without injured center Jamaal Jackson. To make matters worse, Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters didn’t have his "A" game.
Dallas grew more confident in using Spencer on passing downs, and he responded big-time down the stretch, with six sacks in the past six games after having none in the first 10.
"He’s a dominant player now, and it comes with reps," Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears said. "We knew what he could possibly do when he got a shot."
For the Eagles, the trick is slowing down Spencer without using double-teams, which would prove costly on the opposite edge against DeMarcus Ware.
3. The Cowboys can pound it
Entering last week’s game, the Eagles were allowing fewer than 100 rushing yards per game. But then the Cowboys put up 179 and Philadelphia answered with 37.
Look for Jeremiah Trotter to focus on stopping the Cowboys’ ground game.
Despite a lapse in which Felix Jones scored on a 49-yard touchdown run, the Eagles did a better job of stopping the run in the second half. They forced the Cowboys to throw to move the chains and control the clock.
Considering how middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter was a key part of that second-half effort, he could see a lot more playing time.
"We all noticed a difference when he was in the game the other night," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "He plays with great intensity."
4. The Cowboys have done a number on Jackson
It takes a good scheme and sound play all around to prevent Jackson from unleashing a big play. The Cowboys, who held Jackson to five catches for 76 yards in their two wins over Philadelphia, have benefited from a consistent pass rush that limits deep routes from developing. Still, much credit goes to cornerbacks Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.
"We have some shutdown corners, and they’re doing a good job of not getting beat deep," Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh said.
Dallas’ scheme has helped prevent deep passes, but Newman and Jenkins have been winning one-on-one battles with their quickness and coverage skills. If the Eagles can’t win downfield, they won’t win the game.
This story appears in Jan. 9’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
IRVING, Texas — It’s rare when a wild-card playoff game is a rematch of a Week 17 meeting. The NFC has defied even the greatest of odds to have two such contests this weekend.
Although the Dallas Cowboys would be happy if most recent history repeated itself, the Philadelphia Eagles hope their embarrassing 24-0 loss at Cowboys Stadium last Sunday quickly becomes a distant memory.
Cowboys defenders must locate Brent Celek and beware of potential mismatches.
You can bet the Eagles will be well-prepared and a much better team. That’s assuming they fix some of the things that went wrong in the regular-season finale. Not to be outdone, the Cowboys know they need to be ready to counteradjust.
1. Brent Celek is a tough matchup
The Eagles’ passing game is so diverse and loaded with skill players that it’s hard to shut it down. Though Dallas’ defense excelled at taking away the big play downfield last week, it left tight end Celek in good position to gain chunks of yardage on intermediate routes. He finished with seven catches for 96 yards.
Because of Celek’s athleticism, the Eagles can move him around and get him open against a defender who’s either smaller or slower.
"He’s made some big plays all year," Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter said. "They had some wrinkles for us last game, and they probably will have more wrinkles this week."
After a slow start, Anthony Spencer is spending time looking down at QBs.
The key for Dallas is having a handle on how the Eagles have used Celek all season. But at the same time, they don’t want to focus on him to the point where it opens up deeper routes for DeSean Jackson.
2. Anthony Spencer is on a tear
Spencer, a Cowboys outside linebacker, led the charge against Philadelphia’s front five, which was trying to adjust to life without injured center Jamaal Jackson. To make matters worse, Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters didn’t have his "A" game.
Dallas grew more confident in using Spencer on passing downs, and he responded big-time down the stretch, with six sacks in the past six games after having none in the first 10.
"He’s a dominant player now, and it comes with reps," Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears said. "We knew what he could possibly do when he got a shot."
For the Eagles, the trick is slowing down Spencer without using double-teams, which would prove costly on the opposite edge against DeMarcus Ware.
3. The Cowboys can pound it
Entering last week’s game, the Eagles were allowing fewer than 100 rushing yards per game. But then the Cowboys put up 179 and Philadelphia answered with 37.
Look for Jeremiah Trotter to focus on stopping the Cowboys’ ground game.
Despite a lapse in which Felix Jones scored on a 49-yard touchdown run, the Eagles did a better job of stopping the run in the second half. They forced the Cowboys to throw to move the chains and control the clock.
Considering how middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter was a key part of that second-half effort, he could see a lot more playing time.
"We all noticed a difference when he was in the game the other night," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "He plays with great intensity."
4. The Cowboys have done a number on Jackson
It takes a good scheme and sound play all around to prevent Jackson from unleashing a big play. The Cowboys, who held Jackson to five catches for 76 yards in their two wins over Philadelphia, have benefited from a consistent pass rush that limits deep routes from developing. Still, much credit goes to cornerbacks Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.
"We have some shutdown corners, and they’re doing a good job of not getting beat deep," Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh said.
Dallas’ scheme has helped prevent deep passes, but Newman and Jenkins have been winning one-on-one battles with their quickness and coverage skills. If the Eagles can’t win downfield, they won’t win the game.
This story appears in Jan. 9’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
