NFL Wildcard Playoff Preview: NFC

A look, now, at the two NFC wildcard playoff games this weekend. All NFL football betting lines come courtesy Sports Interaction’s online sportsbook.

Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) at Dallas Cowboys (11-5)

The Numbers: Dallas is a four-point favourite (NB: this number represents the biggest spread of the four wildcard games) and the Over/Under sits at 45.0 points.  Dallas is 1.51 on the moneyline; Philly is 2.65. There’s no denying that the Cowboys’ 24-0 anihilation of the Eagles in a pivotal Week 17 game played a major factor when it came time to making odds on this game. The Cowboys haven’t won a postseason game in 13 years, but they’re the biggest favourites on the board this weekend.

The Matchup: Tony Romo vs. Donovan McNabb. In the two Dallas-Philly games this year, Romo has outplayed McNabb royally; he’s thrown more touchdowns (three to one), accumulated more passing yards (618 to 450), scored a higher completion percentage (66 to 55) and, most importantly, won more games (two to none). Can McNabb bounce back and gain a measure of revenge?

The Intangible: Dallas’ run game. When clicking, the thunder-and-lightning combo of Marion Barber and Felix Jones is one of the league’s best; problem is, they haven’t clicked consistently this season. The pair combined for 182 yards against the Eagles in Week 17, but it was one of the few times this season both were productive in the same game. If they repeat the Week 17 performance, Dallas will cruise. If they don’t, that puts pressure on Romo to deliver, and we’ve all seen how that’s gone in the past.

Green Bay Packers (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (10-5)

The Numbers: Arizona is a slim one-point favourite, with the Over/Under listed at 47.5 points. Much like the Dallas-Philly game, that line probably has something do to with what transpired in Week 17. Green Bay went into Arizona and absolutely torched the Cards, 33-7.

The Matchup: Pass defense vs. pass defense. Both teams like to assault quarterbacks, but in very different manners. Arizona rushes the QB with the best of them; the Cards finished second in the NFL this year in team sacks. The Packers will do their damage in the secondary; Green Bay led the NFL with 30 interceptions this year. Defensive player of the year candidate Charles Woodson was outstanding for the Pack, recording nine picks, three of which he returned for touchdowns.

The Intangible: Aaron Rodgers. He’ll be making his playoff debut this weekend, and traditionally, playoff debuts have not gone well for QBs.  Last year, Atlanta QB Matt Ryan was one-and-done; in 2008 Titans QB Vince Young lost in the first round; in 2007 it was Tony Romo who flubbed in his playoff debut. Rodgers has had a fantastic year, but he’s miles behind Kurt Warner in terms of big-game experience. Could he crack under the pressure of the postseason?