Superbowl XLVIII Preview: Seattle Seahawks v Denver Broncos

Denver QB Peyton Manning will face Seattle's top rated pass defense in Superbowl XLVIII

The Match-Up

Seattle Seahawks (13-3) v Denver Broncos (13-3)

Met Life Stadium, New Jersey

6.30 PM (ET) Kick Off

After a season packed with drama, exceptional performances, injuries and upsets the Superbowl is finally upon us. For the first time in a long time the two number one seeds from each conference will square off in America's biggest sporting event, held outside in a cold weather city for the first time ever this coming Sunday. Met Life Stadium in New Jersey is the venue and although concerns still exist over the anticipated cold weather recent reports suggest the temperature on Sunday night will be mild and the weather won't have too much of a bearing on the outcome. Both John Fox and Pete Carroll, head coaches of the Broncos and Seahawks respectively, are searching for their first NFL title although Carroll won three national championships in college with the University of Southern California and Fox was the coach of the Carolina Panthers when they lost to the New England Patriots in Superbowl XXXVIII by a mere three points.

Seattle are one of the more outspoken teams in the NFL and while Richard Sherman's post-NFC Championship game outburst made headlines the lack of verbals from Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was one of the main talking points from the annual pre-Superbowl media day featuring players from both teams. Seattle's number one defense takes on the number one ranked Denver offense in a mouth watering clash, with the bad boy 'hawks more than ready to go nose to nose with one of the most respected players in the NFL, Peyton Manning. Manning is searching for a second Superbowl ring after his 2006 triumph with Indianapolis, a total which would match his brother Eli after his dual successess with the New York Giants in 2007 and 2011. Playing at Eli's home stadium a legacy cementing victory would be all that much sweeter for Manning, arguably the NFL's greatest ever signal caller coming off an exceptional season in which he broke the NFL's single season touchdown mark with an astronomical 55 scoring passes.

When Seattle has the ball..

With ball control an important part of any teams game plan against a Peyton Manning led offense don't be surprised to see Marshawn Lynch add to his 50 carries so far this post-season. Those carries have come at an average of exactly five yards per play, a healthy number that has enabled the Seahawks offense to not rely on the arm of sophomore QB Russell Wilson a great deal. Nonetheless Wilson played well throughout January and while he has only thrown one touchdown pass he hasn't thrown an interception, keeping the Seattle defense off the field for long stretches at a time. Wilson has however been sacked seven times in just two play-off games, something Denver will look to exploit even without star pass rusher Von Miller who's injured.

Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan has had a stellar post-season and as a force in the middle of the field he'll be tasked with stopping Lynch and the Seattle ground game. Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton has also played well and if he can clog up running lanes in the middle and keep Trevathan free it'll help the Denver defense greatly in their efforts to make Wilson shoulder more of the offensive burden for the Seahawks. Should that be the case then Percy Harvin's return from a concussion could be pivotal for Pete Carroll's men. Harvin missed 15 of 16 regular season contests with a hip injury, something he should be over now though a fair amount of rust could remain. Fellow receiver Doug Baldwin should compliment Harvin in the passing game, with speedy Broncos corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie likely to draw Baldwin in coverage with veteran Champ Bailey taking Harvin or Golden Tate. In an effort to restrict the time Wilson has in the pocket Denver will look towards outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, who's two sacks so far during the play-offs lead the team.

When Denver has the ball..

After yet another record breaking season Peyton Manning is the man Seattle will have to stop if they are to earn the first Superbowl title in franchise history, with the best passing offense in the NFL going up against the best pass defense in the league. After recording 28 interceptions during the regular season Manning will be aware of the Seahawks secondary's ball hawking ability, led by cornerback Richard Sherman who will likely be isolated in one on one coverage for the majority of Sunday's game. Demaryius Thomas is the biggest deep threat the Broncos possess so he could be the guy Sherman is assigned to cover, however Wes Welker and Eric Decker are also potent threats in the passing game so Sherman's fellow corner Byron Maxwell will also have to be at the top of his game to prevent Manning moving the football through the air. Seattle safeties Cam Chancellor and Earl Thomas will also have to excel in coverage, either covering the slot receiver or tight end Julius Thomas, a physical specimen who has emerged as one of Manning's favourite weapons.

Knowshon Moreno is a solid running back for Denver as is Monte Ball and while neither is expected to have a big game they'll be counted on to provide a change of pace in addition to keeping Manning upright in pass protection. Expect Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner to blanket Moreno and Ball on the ground, with Wagner looking to add to his impressive total of 24 tackles in two play-off games thus far. Defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril will pose the Denver offensive line with a challenge greater than any they've faced so far this season, although it's worth mentioning that Manning was the least sacked quarterback in football this past year. With the Broncos offense mainly focused on short to intermediate throws down the field it would figure that the Seahawks defense will play a physical game and attempt to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage and beyond - whether the officials let them get away with any suspect contact remains to be seen and could be crucial to the outcome of the game.

Special Teams

Matt Prater had an excellent year for Denver and is used to kicking in cold weather, so that shouldn't be an issue for the man who holds the record for the longest field goal in league history. Seattle kicker Steven Hauschka also had a good year and made 14 of 15 kicks from over 40 yards and hasn't missed yet this post-season, however he doesn't quite possess Prater's leg strength.

The return of Percy Harvin should help aid a subdued Seahawks return game, while Eric Decker has emerged as a potentially game changing weapon for the Broncos fielding punts.

Injury Report

Aside from players already on injured reserve, such as Seattle's Sidney Rice and Denver's Von Miller, both teams are at pretty much full strength. Percy Harvin has been a full practice participant this week for the Seahawks after missing the NFC Championship game against San Francisco.

Weather

According to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com the conditions at kick off should be perfect for football, with cloudy skies and a temperature of around 45 degrees expected despite initial fears the game could be significantly affected by the elements.

Remember you can listen to the American Football Focus Superbowl special podcast here, plus don't forget to vote for who you think will win Superbowl XLVIII


 
 

American Football Focus Podcast - Superbowl Special 30/01/14

Superbowl XLVIII will be the first one ever to be held outdoors in a cold weather climate

This weeks episode of the American Football Focus podcast can be found here, and it's a Superbowl special featuring myself and Scott Taylor. We preview the big game at MetLife Stadium between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos plus look back at the AFC and NFC Championship games, as well as discussing the Cleveland Browns hire of Mike Pettine as head coach and the new Pro Bowl format which was on display last Sunday.

Have your say on Superbowl XLVIII in the comments, on twitter (@fredjstanley) and by voting in the poll in the top right corner of the blog.

Superbowl Matchup Sees Clash of Quarterback Style, Pedigree

"Which way's New Jersey, Russell?"

When the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos take each other on next Sunday in New Jersey the two men under centre, Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson, will be crucial to the outcome. More often than not the Superbowl Most Valuable Player award has gone to the winning teams quarterback and that only serves to highlight the importance of the position in any game of football. When next week rolls around the two most important people on the field will find themselves in identical positions on opposite sidelines, however their paths to that point have been incredibly varied and their respective styles of play even more so.

Widely regarded as the best quarterback in the modern era, Peyton Manning grew up with his father already a household name in the NFL. Archie Manning had been a successful quarterback with the New Orleans Saints and much was expected of Peyton, who excelled at Tennessee University before being selected first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 NFL draft. Manning had always been well known in football circles even before his NFL debut, and although his work ethic and determination to succeed was excellent he never had to battle too hard to earn a college scholarship. In fact Manning's services were fiercely fought over once he left high school, and his decision to attend Tennessee surprised many who expected him to head to Ole Miss, as his father had done. Little brother Eli (and future two time Superbowl MVP) did however make the decision to attend Ole Miss. After a stellar college career Peyton was considered a shoo in to be drafted in the first two picks of the 1998 draft and while Indianapolis did consider taking Ryan Leaf number one overall they eventually settled on Manning, in the process giving him instant recognition as the top prospect in football and the keys to a franchise that had weapons such as Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James already in tow.

One of the primary reasons Manning was such a highly touted prospect, along with his throwing arm and intelligence, was his size. Standing tall at six feet five inches Manning had the ideal frame for a quarterback, tall enough to carry a large amount of muscle as well as see the field clearly over the line of scrimmage. Russell Wilson wasn't afforded that luxury, however, and at just five feet eleven inches tall and a shade over 200 pounds the former Wisconsin QB was at a disadvantage immediately heading into the 2012 draft process.

Wilson's college career had been decorated prior to the 2012 draft, however it also had it's complications. One of the quarterback's main strengths on the football field is his agility, speed and acceleration; all of which enable him to make plays that a lot of other QB's simply cannot. This athleticism enabled Wilson to excel at baseball as well as football and in 2010 the Colorado Rockies selected him in the fourth round of the Major League Baseball draft, which prompted Wilson to attend spring training with the team the following year. In turn this decision encouraged Wilson's college, North Carolina State, to cut ties with him after his third year as they were dissatisfied with his commitment to the schools football program. Following this unfortunate event Wilson transferred to Wisconsin, whereupon he posted excellent numbers including the FBS record for passing efficiency.

After his roundabout college journey Wilson was eventually picked in the third round (75th overall) by the Seattle Seahawks, a decision they wouldn't regret. Heading into training camp that summer Wilson sat behind both Tavaris Jackson and free agent addition Matt Flynn on the depth chart and was only able to earn his spot on the field by performing admirably during pre-season contests that preceded the regular season. To his credit Seahawks coach Pete Carroll immediately saw that Wilson had what it took to be a star quarterback in the NFL and the franchise hasn't looked back since, reaching the play-offs in the first year of his reign (something Manning didn't do) and the Superbowl in year two, something that Manning wasn't able to do until his ninth year in the NFL.

Of course that doesn't mean to say that the Broncos gun slinger isn't an exceptional player. His statistics and record speak for themselves and his breaking of the single season passing touchdowns mark attests to that. However at 37 years of age and having endured two neck surgeries Manning has had to adapt his game in recent seasons, in full knowledge that the clock is ticking if he's to double his tally of Superbowl titles. His arm isn't what it once was and Seattle corner Richard Sherman has even described his passes as "ducks" with regards to the tight spiral, or lack of it, that Manning is able to throw the ball with nowadays. Yet he makes up for this with pinpoint accuracy, an instantaneous release and nimble footwork in the pocket. Those last two skills enable him to avoid sacks and big hits, while the first attribute is what has helped Manning turn average receivers into good ones and good ones into greats for a decade and a half.

While Wilson shares many of Peyton's abilities, including exceptional mechanics and a coolness under pressure, he also differs in many areas. While a deft sidestep is Manning's main method of avoiding the rush Wilson is far more likely to spin out of trouble or even run around an approaching defensive end, extending plays and giving his receivers ample time to get open and make plays deep down field. He demonstrated this ability perfectly last week against San Francisco when he connected with Doug Baldwin for a 51 yard gain having avoided multiple 49ers defenders. Wilson also probably has more arm than the current version of Manning, although his lack of height often means that he's unable to fire balls over lineman into the middle of the field in the same way Payton can.

Sunday night is about more than just these two men but if Seattle or Denver hopes to win the big one they'll have to get good play from the quarterback position, that's for sure. One is young and just embarking on a career in the NFL, while the other has already rewritten the league's record books. One can run the 40 yard dash in 4.55 seconds; the other might struggle to run it in 45.5 seconds. Yet despite their differences both Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning have one thing in common during their short and long careers in the NFL, respectively: they both know how to win.

Seahawks, Broncos to contest Superbowl XLVIII After Seeing Off Rivals

Copyright LA Times

Yesterday's two Championship games produced worthy winners after close fought contests, ultimately pitting the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos against each other in Superbowl XLVIII in New Jersey in two weeks time. The Broncos were able to control the ball for much of the game against New England, keeping Tom Brady off the field and prevailing 26-16 thanks to yet another stellar performance from quarterback Peyton Manning. Seattle meanwhile relied on the leagues best defense to triumph over the hated 49ers by a score of 23-17, in large part thanks to three fourth quarter turnovers including two Colin Kaepernick interceptions.

The early game was held in the sunshine at Sports Authority Field at Mile High and Manning took full advantage of the conditions by throwing for exactly 400 yards and two touchdowns against the Bill Belichick led Patriots defense, who lost cornerback Aqib Talib early on after a contentious hit from Broncos wide-out and former Patriot Wes Welker. Belichick wasn't happy with the hit and described it as 'deliberate' after the game, however it wasn't called by the referees on the field and the loss of Talib severely dented an already struggling New England secondary. Demaryius Thomas proved to be Manning's receiver of choice this week, catching seven balls for 134 yards and a score as he picked on undersized Patriots corner Alfonzo Dennard, who gave up four inches in height to the big Broncos receiver.

Having scored four touchdowns a week ago against Indianapolis LeGarrette Blount was expected to at least offer Brady a reliable rushing option yesterday, however he could muster all of six yards on five carries as the Denver defense stepped up to the task. Brady himself played efficiently if not as flawlessly as Manning and his overthrow of Julian Edelman in the first half was crucial as New England missed out on the chance to put at least three additional points, and possibly more, on the board. Denver were able to run out to a 13-3 lead at the half and a 20-3 advantage by the end of the third quarter, putting themselves in a near impregnable position before the Patriots offense made a belated charge late on. For Brady this may have been his last chance to reach a Superbowl with the Patriots roster gradually aging and losing talented players to free agency over the past few seasons and with very little offensive prowess (himself excluded) on board.

Following the conclusion of the Broncos win Seattle and San Francisco squared off in a heated encounter at CenturyLink Field, where the on field action was somewhat overshadowed by some controversial post game comments from Seahawks corner Richard Sherman. Sherman had effectively won the game for Seattle by tipping a late Colin Kaepernick pass into the hands of fellow defender Malcolm Smith, prompting him to target 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree in his post match interview by calling him a 'sorry ass receiver'. That incident aside the game was fiercely competitive and there were a few bumps and bruises picked up along the way, including a gruesome looking leg injury to San Francisco's star linebacker Navarro Bowman, who had been in the thick of things all afternoon by recording fourteen tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Aldon Smith himself forced a Russell Wilson fumble on the first play from scrimmage with a strip sack and recovery but Kaepernick and the niners offense had to settle for a field goal; nonetheless Jim Harbaugh's men went into the locker room at half time with a 13-3 lead and in control of the game.

However Seattle stepped things up a gear in the second half and Marshawn Lynch recorded a breathtaking 40 yard touchdown run, before the Seahawks took the lead for good with Wilson's 35 yard strike to Jermaine Kearse on a key fourth-and-seven play in the fourth period. Kaepernick had made several plays early on with his legs and finished with 130 yards rushing on the day, unfortunately for him and his teammates his two picks and fumble in the second half were terminal to the 49ers Superbowl aspirations as he struggled to connect with open targets down field.

While the Superbowl is still two weeks away it's never too soon to look at the potential match-ups on show, and Peyton Manning versus the studly Seattle secondary should make for fascinating viewing. Russell Wilson continues to make just enough plays to win games and he'll probably be asked to make more than a few clutch throws as the Seahawks attempt to keep pace with the prolific Denver attack, although the elements in the first ever cold weather Superbowl could have a greater impact than Roger Goodell and the owners could possibly have imagined when they awarded New Jersey the leagues 48th Superbowl.

NFC Championship Game Preview: San Francisco at Seattle

NaVarro Bowman and Patrick Willis are the most feared linebacker tandem in the NFL

The Match-up

San Francisco 49ers (12-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (13-3)

CenturyLink Field

6.30 PM (ET) Kick Off

These two fierce division rivals square off in the north west as the 49ers look to end their recent jinx at CenturyLink Field. After two heavy defeats there in recent years Colin Kaepernick and co will have taken heart form beating the Seahawks at Candlestick Park in week 14, although they'll be well aware that winning in Seattle is an entirely different challenge. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has multiple college national championships to his name however he's yet to grace the Superbowl as a coach and this is as good an opportunity as he'll get with Seattle having comfortably securing the number one seed in the NFC. San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh has led the niners to three consecutive NFC Championship games including last years in Atlanta which they won to progress to the Superbowl. After losing to his brother John and his Ravens in New Orleans Harbaugh will be desperate to get back to the big game and earn his family's second Championship ring.

When San Francisco has the ball..

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has earned himself a reputation as a cold blooded killer in the play-offs and rightfully so after some superb performances both this year and last. A threat with his legs, Kaepernick also possesses elite arm strength and can make all the throws despite some slightly flawed mechanics. The read option is a big part of the San Francisco offense and Kaepernick is the perfect man for the role, having orchestrated a similar attack while in college at Nevada.

Frank Gore has carried the bulk of the rushing load for the 49ers for a few years now and the powerful runner once again topped 1,000 yards in 2013. Kaepernick himself rushed for 524 yards and between the two of them Kaepernick and Gore scored 13 touchdowns on the ground. Anquan Boldin was a fantastic addition in the off-season and his 85 receptions and 7 touchdowns justified Harbaugh's faith in the former Cardinal and Raven. Michael Crabtree is another weapon in the passing game and although he missed the majority of the regular season he's back and healthy just in time to help the 49ers during their play-off run. Tight end Vernon Davis might actually be the fastest player on the offense and his presence helps make opposing defenses respect the deep ball.

Richard Sherman talks a good game and the Seattle corner has backed up his words with stellar play in the last couple of seasons, blanketing opposing receivers despite often being marooned in one on one coverage. Safety Earl Thomas is a hard hitting tackler and he could well draw Davis in man coverage, while linebackers Bobby Wagner and Cam Chancellor will be tasked with keeping Kaepernick in the pocket and not allowing him to make too many plays with his legs. On the whole the entire Seattle defense has star quality and co-ordinator Dan Quinn has done a great job of carrying on where his predecessor and current Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley left off.

When Seattle has the ball..

Russell Wilson has taken the league by storm since he was promoted to start at quarterback by coach Pete Carroll before last season, although it's worth noting he's rarely asked to win games with his arm. He's afforded that luxury because Marshawn Lynch is one of the most punishing and durable backs in football and Lynch was able to tote the rock 301 times during the regular season for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns. Lynch had a further 28 carries last week against New Orleans and his 140 yards and two scores were crucial to the Seahawks victory and progression to face the rival 49ers. He'll have even more work to do tonight with receiver Percy Harvin ruled out with a concussion.

The San Francisco defense is based around the sideline to sideline tackling ability of inside linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVarro Bowman, who had 249 tackles, eight sacks and six forced fumbles between them during the regular season. Donte Whitner is another punishing tackler on the 49ers defense and rookie safety Eric Reid has shown the ability to play centre field against the pass. While it may sound simplistic this game could come down to how well Willis and Bowman can contain Lynch and if they do whether or not Wilson can carry the Seahawks and win the game with his arm and legs.

Special Teams

San Francisco kicker Phil Dawson has been one of the steadier kickers in the NFL for a while now, although he lacks the necessary leg strength to nail kicks from much more than 50 yards. The 49ers also have one of the better punters going in the form of Andy Lee.

Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka had a great year in 2013, making 14 of 15 field goals from over 40 yards although Seattle punter Jon Ryan was less reliable and had two punts blocked during the regular season. One more stat for you: neither team returned a punt or kickoff for a touchdown nor had one returned against them for a score during the season.

Injury Report

49ers cornerback Carlos Rodgers (hamstring) and fullback Will Tukafu (knee) are questionable, while linebacker Ahmad Brooks (illness) is probable to play.

Seahawks receiver Percy Harvin (concussion) is out. Linebacker K.J Wright is probable to play after recovering from a broken foot, according to head coach Pete Carroll.

Weather

The forecast is for overcast skies with a slim chance of rain and a temperature of around 48 degrees.

AFC Championship Game Preview: New England at Denver

Tonight's AFC Championship game could be better known as Tom Brady v Peyton Manning XV

The Match-up

New England Patriots (12-4) @ Denver Broncos (13-3)

Sports Authority Field at Mile High

3.00 PM (ET) Kick Off

The AFC Championship game sees Tom Brady and Peyton Manning square off for the fifteenth time in their NFL careers and for the fourth time in an AFC Championship game. The two teams who finished the regular season with the best records in the conference have made it to this point, which should ensure the quality of the game is of the highest level. Broncos coach John Fox will be looking to make it back to the Superbowl after his one and only appearance to date in 2004, ironically against these same Bill Belichick led Patriots. It was Belichick who triumphed on that day against the Carolina Panthers to earn his second Championship ring, time will tell if Belichick Fox in the play-offs once more tonight.

When New England has the ball..

As the season has progressed the Patriots have moved away from the passing game to become a team who specialise in moving the ball on the ground, in no small part thanks to the exploits of LeGarrette Blount. Blount scored seven touchdowns during the regular season, a total he more than halved with four scores last week against Indianapolis. Stevan Ridley is another threat on the ground for New England and Ridley himself scored seven times on the ground in 2013.

With Rob Gronkowski done for the season and Aaron Hernandez in jail Belichick and Brady have had to adjust their approach on offense after their success over the past couple of years out of two tight end sets. Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman have stepped up at wide receiver and Edelman has been the perfect replacement for Wes Welker, now with Denver of course, by catching 105 balls during the regular season. He caught six more last week against the Colts and although he doesn't have a great deal of size or speed he appears to have become Brady's favoured option in the passing game.

Denver have had to cope with key injuries of their own on defense, with cornerback Champ Bailey for one missing most of the season - though he's back in action and near full fitness after a cameo last week against San Diego. Von Miller hasn't been quite so fortunate and the Broncos will have to cope without their star pass rusher against New England and in the Superbowl, should they get that far. Shaun Phillips assumes the role of pass rusher in chief and the former Charger was able to record two sacks last week against his former team. Corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is one of the fastest players in the NFL and will likely be assigned the task of keeping the fleet of foot Amendola in check.

When Denver has the ball..

Peyton Manning has a poor record against Bill Belichick led defenses, going just 4-10 against the defensive guru in his career. However he may be playing the best football of his life and threw an NFL record 55 touchdowns this season, breaking Tom Brady's record which had stood since 2007. Knowshon Moreno and Monte Ball combine to provide Manning with a reliable rushing attack with the diminutive Ball is more of a threat as a receiver out of the backfield than Moreno, while the latter tends the shoulder most of the load rushing the football.

While Ball and Moreno are serviceable players it's out wide where Manning really does have an embarrassment of riches, from the likes of Welker to Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas. The trio had 10, 11 and 14 touchdown receptions on the year respectively and while none are what you might consider elite players at the position all have good hands and are also intelligent route runners. Patriots corner Aqib Talib is a physical defender who can lock up one side of the field, however New England's quality behind him is debatable beyond Alfonzo Dennard, who recorded two interceptions against Andrew Luck and the Colts last weekend. The Patriots defense is greater than the sum of its parts, thanks in large part to Belichick, and seems to revel in it's relative 'underdog' status.

Special Teams

Pats kicker Stephen Gostkowski is one of the leagues most consistent players at his position and missed just three field goal attempts all season (all from over 40 yards). However his opposite number Matt Prater was even better in 2013, missing just one kick all year and hitting a 64 yard field goal to break the NFL record.

In the return game Denver appear to have the edge, as Trindon Holliday more than makes up for his lack of size with his game changing speed and the mighty mite managed to take both a kick and punt return back to the house during the regular season. The Broncos did have two punts blocked during the year, so there might be a weakness there New England looks to exploit.

Injury Report

New England wide receivers Kenbrell Thompkins (foot/concussion) and Aaron Dobson (foot) are both questionable to play, as is punter Ryan Allen (shoulder).

Denver wide-out Demaryius Thomas (calf) is listed as probable for the game.

Weather

Partly sunny skies and temperatures around an unseasonal 60 degrees are forecast at kick off time in Denver tonight.

NFL Divisional Play-Off Round Predictions

Peyton Manning has enjoyed having Wes Welker to throw to in Denver this season

The final eight teams in the NFL square off this weekend in the Divisional round of the play-offs, the stager where each conferences number one and two seeds enter the post-season fray. Here are my predictions for each of the four games, starting with tonight's match-ups in Seattle and New England.

New Orleans @ Seattle

The Saints overcame Philadelphia on the road last week and their impressive effort sees them rewarded with a trip to the best team in the NFC. Seattle have a near impregnable defense led by cornerback Richard Sherman and Drew Brees will face a far stiffer test than the one the Eagles secondary posed him a week ago. As well as the Saints played in Philly, and their defense especially stepped up to the challenge, the Seahawks are on a different plane to the Eagles and if Russell Wilson continues to play as efficiently as he has so far this season Seattle should be able to control the clock and the game on their way to the NFC championship game.
Saints 17, Seahawks 27

Indianapolis @ New England

Andrew Luck squares off against Tom Brady in a classic battle between the master and the so called apprentice. Luck has had an incredible first two seasons in the NFL and is well on the path to becoming an elite QB in the league while Brady obviously has three Superbowl wins on his resume, so if you want to see stellar play under centre look no further this weekend. Luck appears to have adapted to losing Reggie Wayne to injury halfway through the season and with Trent Richardson phased out of the offense the Colts are now putting up the points totals they were during their fast start to the season. Unfortunately their defense appears to be heading in the other direction and by allowing Kansas City to put up 44 points last weekend they showed that they're not quite good enough to keep Brady in check, even if #12 doesn't have Rob Gronkowski to throw to. It promises to be a classic game but when it comes to Brady, Belichick and the play-offs you simply have to back the dynamic duo.
Colts 34, Patriots 35

San Francisco @ Carolina

These two defensive powerhouses are set to contest a low scoring affair in Carolina, with both teams also boasting dual threat quarterbacks in Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton. Both have played well down the stretch and Kaepernick once again tore Green Bay to shreds last week in frigid temperatures as he added to his impressive post-season portfolio. While the Indy - New England tussle features two top quarterbacks this game features three of the best middle linebackers in football, with San Francisco boasting Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis while the Panthers can call on the services of Luke Kuechly. Both defenses have earned my respect but on the offensive side I'm taking Kaepernick and clutch receiver Anquan Boldin over Newton and the aging Steve Smith.

49ers 21, Panthers 17

San Diego @ Denver

San Diego may be nicknamed 'the Bolts' but unfortunately for them I can't see lightening striking twice after they defeated the Broncos on the road just a few short weeks ago. Phillip Rivers will fight and give the Chargers a chance against the high powered Denver offense but with the record breaking Peyton Manning under centre it figures he'll make the necessary adjustments to turn the tables after the last meeting between the two sides. Wes Welker is set to play after trouble with concussions this year and along with Eric Decker and Demetrius Thomas he gives Manning some fantastic targets in the passing game. The way things are shaping up it's looking likely we'll have yet another Manning/Brady classic next weekend, which is never a bad thing.
Chargers 20, Broncos 31

Have your say on these games in the comments or tweet @fredjstanley. Enjoy what should be another fascinating weekend of football while it lasts - after Sunday just three games remain of the 2013/14 NFL season (not including the Pro Bowl).

Wild Card Weekend Preview: San Francisco @ Green Bay

When healthy Clay Matthews is one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers

The final game on Wild Card weekend features two teams who also squared off in the play-offs last season. Green Bay lost to San Francisco that time around as the 49ers marched towards the Superbowl and although they ultimately lost that game to the Ravens a star was born in quarterback Colin Kaepernick. After destroying the Packers with his legs last post-season Kaepernick then defeated them with his arm in week one of this campaign, but if he's to make it a three-peat he'll have to perform in sub zero temperatures this evening in a head to head with the fit again Aaron Rodgers.

The Match-up

San Francisco 49ers (12-4) @ Green Bay Packers (8-7-1)

Lambeau Field

4.40 (ET) Kick Off

When San Francisco has the ball..

The 49ers run the leagues most balanced attack and in fact ran the ball over 52 percent of the time during the regular season, the highest percentage in the NFL. While Frank Gore leads the ground attack Colin Kaepernick has his fair share of yards thanks to his athleticism and subsequent dual threat capabilities. Gore once again topped 1,000 yards and Kaepernick racked up over 500 to compliment the former University of Miami workhorse.

Despite the run orientated nature of the offense it would be dangerous to dismiss the 49ers passing game, with tight end Vernon Davis in particular offering Kaepernick a deep threat. Davis averaged a lofty 16.3 yards per reception in 2013, an astronomical number for a tight end and his 13 touchdowns also showed he's a threat inside the 20. Off-season acquisition Anquan Boldin immediately became the teams standout wide receiver and his 85 receptions and 1,179 receiving yards led the team.

Clay Matthews has battled injuries throughout this season but he's as close to 100 percent as he's going to get and he's still the player opposing coaches have to game-plan for. His 7.5 sacks led the team despite being well below his usual level of production and he was also able to cause three fumbles, also a team best. The likes of B.J Raji and A.J Hawk are big names but unfortunately their production hasn't lived up to their reputations. On the outside cornerbacks Sam Shields and Tramon Williams are excellent at playing the ball and have four and three picks on the year, respectively.

When Green Bay has the ball..

Aaron Rodgers came back from his collarbone injury just in time to take Green Bay past Chicago and into the post-season and his second half improvement was ominous for potential play-off opposition. The emergence of Eddie Lacy as a legitimate rushing threat has been perhaps the biggest positive for the Packers on the offensive side of the ball this season and the rookie racked up 1,178 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on his way to probably being named offensive rookie of the year.

Jordy Nelson put up typically elite numbers, eclipsing 85 receptions and 1,300 receiving yards even without Rodgers throwing him the ball for the majority of the seasons second half. James Jones, Randall Cobb and Jarrett Boykin complete a quartet of weapons out wide that Rodgers can, and does, utilise.

San Francisco's defense has been one of the best in the NFL for a few years now and that's primarily thanks to a rock solid middle linebacking core of Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis. Running the ball on this 49ers defense is no easy task and as a result offenses have a tendency to become one dimensional, enabling Aldon Smith and other pass rushers to tee off on opposing QBs. Safety Donte Whitner is also one of the most physical defensive backs in the NFL and strikes fear into receivers crossing over the middle of the field.

Special Teams

Mason Crosby has bounced back nicely at kicker this season for Green Bay and his strong leg has enabled him to hit on five of seven kicks from over 50 yards. Phil Dawson has been steady if not spectacular for San Francisco in 2013 but what he lacks in leg strength he makes up for with consistency.

The 49ers have had two punts returned for scores against them this season which stands out as a weakness on an otherwise solid special teams unit, while the Packers Micah Hyde has at times looked explosive in the return game and took one punt back to the house in the regular season.

Wild Card Weekend Preview: San Diego @ Cincinnati

A.J Green poses defenses problems with his speed/size combination and excellent hands

Yesterday saw two thrilling wild card games played in Indianapolis and Philadelphia, so hopefully tonight brings similar entertainment as we find out who joins the Colts and Saints in the divisional round of the post-season. The first game up is between the Chargers, who just about backed into the play-offs as the sixth seed, and the AFC north champion Bengals.

The Match-up

San Diego Chargers (9-7) @ Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)

Paul Brown Stadium

1.05 (ET) Kick Off

When San Diego has the ball..

Phillip Rivers is at the controls of a Chargers offense which ranked fifth in the league in yards per game during the regular season. Rivers had a nice bounce back year after a below par campaign a year ago, throwing for 4,478 yards and posting a 3:1 touchdown to interception ratio. Tight end Antonio Gates remains Rivers favourite target and the former college basketball star caught 77 passes for 872 yards, although somewhat surprisingly Gates only hit pay-dirt four times. Wide receivers Keenan Allen and Eddie Royal both totaled eight touchdowns however, so the Bengals will have to keep their eyes on that pair down in the red zone as well as the dangerous Gates.

Ryan Matthews was again solid in the run game for San Diego, racking up 1,255 yards and six touchdowns during the season to offer a change of pace to the offense. Off-season addition Danny Woodhead also excelled on the west coast albeit primarily as a receiving option out of the backfield, catching 76 balls and offering Rivers a reliable safety net in the passing game.

A key figure on the Cincy defense is middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict who amassed a thousand 171 tackles on the season and is a powerful run stopper. Ray Maualuga is another Bengals linebacker who specialises in stopping the run. Neither offer a pass rushing threat and as a result that's often one area where Cincinnati can be found wanting on defense. No one on the team recorded more than 7.5 sacks this season and the teams total of 35 represents mediocrity in that area, although the Bengals did return four interceptions for touchdowns in 2013 so Rivers will want to be careful with the football as this Cincy defense has shown an ability to capitalise on opposing quarterbacks mistakes.

When Cincinnati has the ball..

In a similar mould to San Diego the Bengals offense is predominantly based on moving the ball through the air, with quarterback Andy Dalton able to call on weapons including receivers A.J Green and Marvin Jones. Green caught an astounding 98 balls for 1,426 yards and 11 touchdowns, firmly establishing him as one of the top three receivers in football. Jones also had an excellent season and although he recorded just 51 catches 10 of those went for touchdowns and he averaged a dynamic 14 yards per reception.

BenJarvus Green Ellis and Giovani Bernard tend to split the load in the running game although Green Ellis averages a paltry 3.4 yards per carry so Bernard could see more action than usual during this play-off run. Defensively the Chargers will try to stop the Bengals with standout players such as safety Eric Weddle and linebacker Manti Te'o. Weddle led the team in tackles and also tied for the team lead in interceptions with two so you can bet Dalton will try and throw to whichever side of the field that Weddle isn't occupying.

Special Teams

Chargers kicker Nick Novak had a superb season, nailing nine of nine attempts from over 40 yards and offering a reliable option for first year coach Mike McCoy. Mike Nugent was also a steady presence for Cincinnati, although neither kicker possesses an elite leg.

Don't expect to see any fireworks in the return game tonight as neither side returned a punt or kick off for a touchdown this year. Each side also performed well when covering punts and kick offs so any theatrics in that department would come as a surprise.

Wild Card Weekend Preview: New Orleans @ Philadelphia

Eagles linebacker Trent Cole has made a career out of sacking opposing quarterbacks

The second wild card game that takes place this weekend is an NFC battle between the NFC east champion Eagles and the New Orleans Saints, who finished as runner up in the hotly contested NFC south. However despite Philly having homefield advantage over New Orleans in this one the Eagles (10-6) actually finished with a worse regular season record than the Saints (11-5). Both of these teams are known for their high powered offenses and have occasionally struggled on defense so it promises to be a high scoring encounter featuring two of the games hottest quarterbacks, Drew Brees and Nick Foles.

The Match-up

New Orleans Saints (11-5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

Lincoln Financial Field

8.10 PM (ET) Kick Off

When New Orleans has the ball..

Drew Brees threw for more than 5,000 yards this season, the fourth time he's eclipsed that particular landmark during his career. To put that in perspective no quarterback in NFL history has passed that number more than once. The Saints running game isn't as strong as it has been in previous seasons, however, and Pierre Thomas is the teams leading rusher with just 549 yards on the year so if the Saints are to put a crooked number up on the Philly defense it'll have to be done on the back of the passing attack.

Tight end/wide receiver Jimmy Graham remains one of the biggest match-up nightmares in the NFL thanks to his speed/size combination and it'll be interesting to see how Eagles inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks handles him in coverage. Kendricks was exceptional against Dallas last week and recorded a forced fumble and an interception; however Jason Witten enjoyed a big day hauling in 12 passes so that could be an area Brees and Saints coach Sean Payton look to exploit. Marques Colston has also enjoyed another consistent season for New Orleans, recording 75 catches for 943 yards and offering a handy compliment to Graham in the passing game.

The Philly defense is probably at it's strongest on the defensive line although it struggles in the secondary, where the likes of Patrick Chung and Nate Allen have been picked on all season. Trent Cole came on strong late in the campaign and finished the year with 8 sacks after he'd struggled initially to adapt from playing defensive end in a 4-3 to playing outside linebacker in this year's 3-4 alignment.

When Philadelphia has the ball..

Chip Kelly has taken the NFL by storm with his up-tempo 'college offense' this season, helping LeSean McCoy to set the franchise mark for yards from scrimmage with 2,146. Speedy wide receiver DeSean Jackson also had a career season and totaled 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns through the air. Kelly's offense is based around getting the ball to those play-makers in space and Nick Foles is the man at the controls after he stepped in for Michael Vick during the early part of the season. Foles has been a revelation, throwing 27 touchdowns (including tying the NFL record with 7 against Oakland in November) and just two interceptions and has impressed observers with his ability to play smart and protect the football.

One area of the Philly offense that hasn't been perfected yet is the pass protection scheme and Foles has at times found himself under more pressure than he'd ideally like. Cameron Jordan leads a fierce Saints pass rush and the defensive end brought down opposing quarterbacks 12.5 times during the regular season, while Junior Galette also managed 12 sacks. Inside linebacker Curtis Lofton has played well in co-ordinator Rob Ryan's new 3-4 scheme and he'll have to be at the top of his game if he's to keep McCoy in check. The battle in the trenches will be key, though, as Foles will fancy his chances of finding open receivers downfield if his lineman can keep him clean in the pocket.

Special Teams

Although both teams failed to run a punt or kick-off back for a score this season the Saints coverage units also shut out their opponents, while Philadelphia allowed two kick-offs and one punt to be returned for touchdowns. However two of those came in the 'Snow Bowl' game against Detroit in bizarre conditions so those figures should probably be taken with a pinch of salt.

Eagles kicker Alex Henery had an up and down season and missed a third of his efforts from over 40 yards. While that's a far from ideal record it's still better than the Saints situation at the position as New Orleans were forced to cut ties with Garrett Hartley towards the end of the regular season and bring in veteran Shayne Graham. Neither Henery nor Graham inspire much confidence so it'll be nerve wracking stuff if either has a chance to win the game in the closing minutes, especially with the game taking place outdoors in what will likely be frigid temperatures.

Wild Card Weekend Preview: Kansas City @ Indianapolis

Jamaal Charles had a stellar campaign for the Chiefs in 2013

The first of this weekends four Wild Card games is an AFC tussle in Indianapolis between the AFC south champion Colts and wild card post-season entrant Chiefs. While the Colts prevailed 23-7 when these two teams met a fortnight ago this match-up promises to be a close one between a pair of teams who finished with equal 11-5 regular season records. Keep reading to find out what to look for when each side has the ball as well as some background on their respective seasons.

The Match-up

Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) @ Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

Lucas Oil Stadium

4.35 PM (ET) Kick Off 

When Kansas City has the ball..

Quarterback Alex Smith was acquired in the off-season from San Francisco by first year Chiefs coach Andy Reid and Smith certainly hasn't disappointed. Smith threw for over 3,300 yards in the regular season as well as tossing 23 touchdown passes as he's effectively managed the Kansas City offense and limited game changing mistakes. Smith has good mobility for a quarterback (431 yards rushing on the season) and as a veteran player he also has experience of playing in the play-offs from his time with the 49ers. He does however lack a big arm, which can often lead to the Chiefs offense being less dynamic than Reid would ideally like.

Running back Jamaal Charles is the biggest weapon on the Chiefs offense and his ability to pose a threat in both the running and passing game makes him a nightmare to game plan for. Not dissimilar to Brian Westbrook, a running back Reid drafted and developed in Philadelphia, Charles has game changing speed and the vision to spot the smallest of openings when carrying the football. He's amassed 1,287 yards rushing in 2013 in addition to leading the team in receptions (70) and adding 693 yards through the air. Charles also has 19 all-purpose touchdowns this year so if the Colts are to keep KC in check they'll have to keep more than one pair of eyes on #25 throughout.

The Indianapolis defense has at times proved leaky although encouragingly they finished the season strong by allowing just 10, 7 and 3 points to the Jaguars, Chiefs and Texans respectively. Robert Mathis finished the season with an NFL leading 19.5 sacks so the Kansas City offensive line led by last April's first overall draft pick Eric Fisher will have it's work cut out trying to keep Smith upright. Inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman also had a good season for the Colts D, racking up 126 total tackles and forcing six fumbles as well as recording two interceptions. Those two aside the group is unheralded and relatively unknown so this could be a big opportunity for someone in the unit to really make a name for themselves.

When Indianapolis has the ball..

The Colts struck gold when they selected quarterback Andrew Luck over Robert Griffin III with the first overall pick in 2012 and although the young gunslinger lost his first play-off start last season he has so far been a huge success in the NFL. Even with star wide out Reggie Wayne lost for most of the year Luck amassed 3,822 passing yards and threw 23 touchdowns opposed to just nine interceptions. The former Stanford QB also rushed for 377 yards and four touchdowns, helping to demonstrate his ability to make plays with his feet as well as his arm.

Indy made noise before the trade deadline when they sent a first round pick to Cleveland for running back Trent Richardson but unfortunately that transaction hasn't worked out nearly as well for the Colts with the sophomore averaging a paltry 2.9 yards per carry. Donald Brown has proved far more effective, scoring six times on the ground while accumulating 537 yards rushing at an average of 5.3 YPC. Without Wayne Luck is slightly short of options on the outside although T.Y Hilton did top 1,000 yards receiving on the season.

The Kansas City defense was almost the polar opposite of Indianapolis's, beginning the year strong before faltering down the stretch. While the unit only gave up slightly more than 19 points per game during the regular season they shipped 27, 23 and 31 points in their final three games. Statistics aside the Chiefs defense boasts a number of stellar names including safety Eric Berry, cornerback Brandon Flowers and outside linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali (11 sacks each). Berry especially is a player to watch as he frequently made plays in 2013, running two interceptions back for touchdowns and racking up 4.5 sacks.

Special Teams

Kansas City's returners had an excellent year with Dexter McCluster bringing two punts back to the house and both Quintin Demps and Knile Davis returning kick-offs for scores. Kicker Ryan Succop had a steady year although that was overshadowed by his miss from 41 yards against San Diego last week, a kick that would've seen the Chargers eliminated from play-off contention and Pittsburgh gain the sixth seed.

The Colts didn't return any punts or kick-offs for touchdowns this season but they did give up one score on a punt return, something that will encourage McCluster in particular. Indianapolis does however probably hold the edge at kicker with Adam Vinatieri being widely recognised as the best kicker in NFL play-off history after the Patriots won three Superbowl's largely on the back of his last minute efforts.