Cardinals, Edgerrin James’ 73 yards rushing was the key to the Cardinals 30-24 victory over the Falcons in their Wild Card game. They also neutralized the pass rushing of John Abraham, who went without a sack after recording 16 ½ during the season.  The key this week for the Cardinals, more of the same, stop Julius Peppers of the Panthers who had 14.5 sacks this year and run the veteran James. When they met the Panthers in Carolina week 8, the Cardinals rushed for just 50 yards, in a 27-23 loss, but they held Peppers without a sack. Kurt Warner threw for three hundred eighty one yards and 2 scores…Falcons, Mike Smith deservedly won Coach of the Year honors, they were 4-12 in 2007, had the Michael Vick’s dog fighting scandal, and former coach  Bobby Petrino walking out on the team…Ravens, They are 4-1 on the road in the playoffs, including their 24-10 win over the Titans in the Divisional round of the 2000 playoffs in Tennessee.  Ravens’ quarterback Trent Dilfer completed just five passes in that victory. Joe Flacco is in good company, he became the second rookie quarterback to win his first playoff game played on the road.  The first to accomplish that feat was Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh who recently passed away.  Baugh beat the Bears at Wrigley Field to win the 1937 NFL championship game when he threw for three scores and more than three hundred yards in that contest….

Panthers, Jake Delhomme had one of his best games this season in their 27-23 win over the Cardinals week 8. He was 20-28 for 248 yards and had a pair of scoring throws to Steve Smith. DeAngelo Williams also scored in that game and had more than 100 yards rushing. While the Panthers are 8-0 this year at home and 2-0 at home lifetime in playoff games they appear to be beatable in this game…Browns, The Browns look like a circus with their off season moves. They may try and talk to everyone. Evidently no one taught them the meaning of a short list. Six year Raven George Kokonis will meet with Randy Lerner and talk about becoming general manager.  If that happens his old friend Eric Mangini becomes head coach, which is a solid move for the Browns. Mangini would then bring Kurt Schottenheimer who would be responsible for Brady Quinn.  However there could be some internal rumblings to keep Rod Chudzinski, who is still offensive coordinator.  Last year Chudzinski made the long list of many teams for head coaching positions, but our choice to run the Browns is Falcons general manager Rich McKay, the best available front office candidate….

Lions, The Lions have a long list from Giant defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to NFL analyst and former coach Steve Maraucci to become head coach.  The Lions have not won a title since 1957….Broncos, they fired Mike Shanahan and want someone better, they are grasping for straws and will take a chance on a candidate who will not want big money because they pay Shanahan until he takes another position, which could be the Lions, Jets, Rams, Browns, or no one.  We say he goes to television for a season or so.  Word is owner Pat Bowlen is trying to find that John Harbaugh type, low cost , high value type of coach.  Their best bet is the Vikings’ defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.  Keep in mind the last Viking defensive coordinator to take a head coaching position was Mike Tomlin with Pittsburgh, who seems to be competent but has not won a playoff game …. Colts….when you run for just 64 yards you will not win many playoff games.  You only need to look to last week’s loss in San Diego for proof.  The loss of guard Jake Scott to the Titans this past off season will make the Colts top priority in the draft and free agency their offensive line ….