Thoughts about the NFL playoffs

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Here are some quick-hitting thoughts about Wild-Card Weekend and a look at this weekend's Divisional Round.

1. Can you believe that the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints lost to the sub-.500 Seattle Seahawks? The 65-year-old Matt Hasselbeck simply carved up a Saints defense that looked lost and confused. Bet the Saints go after defensive players in this year's draft. They better.

2. The Indianapolis Colts blew a chance to advance in the final minute of the game. That should never, ever happen. Poor coverage on the kickoff gave the Jets great field position, and then Sanchez lofts a pass that Braylon Edwards snags on the sidelines to help Nick Folk boot an easy field goal as time expires. Shame on the Colts.

3. How about that Baltimore Ravens defense? More like, how garbage is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel? For him to not even look Dwayne Bowe's way all game long, the Chiefs deserve to lose just for that. Plus, Cassel looked timid, scared and baffled every time he dropped back to pass. Did he study the Ravens defense during the week? Just a JV quarterback if you ask me.

4. Why is everyone trying to blame Mike Vick for the Eagles' loss to the Packers? I know he threw a pick to end the game, but shouldn't the intended receiver tried to break up that pass in the end zone instead of letting the corner make the pick? Who cares about that play, anyway, point to David Akers missing two easy field goals as the reason why Philly lost. Field goals at home, mind you. The veteran kicker is being blamed my me. If they played again tomorrow, I'd still take the Eagles ...I still am not impressed with the Packers.

5. Best game this coming weekend: Baltimore at Pittsburgh ...if you like defense. The teams split during the regular season, and expect some bloody lips, a lot of hard hitting and maybe a fist or two flying around over the course of the 60 minutes. It might even go into overtime, too. The quarterback -- Ben Roethlisberger or Joe Flacco -- that can make the most plays in the passing game will win because both teams will have trouble moving the ball on the ground.

6. Seattle at Chicago: Who cares.

7. Green Bay at Atlanta: Should be another classic ...if you like offense. Aaron Rodgers can beat up Atlanta's secondary, and the Falcons' balance with running back Michael Turner and Matt Ryan throwing to Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez can produce points pretty quickly, too. The winner of this game will go the Super Bowl.