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Saturday NFC Playoffs Primer

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: January 3, 2009

The NFC had come up short in four consecutive Super Bowls until the 2007 Giants stunned the previously unbeaten Patriots.

While the Giants and Panthers sit this weekend out before playing host to divisional-round action, four surprising NFC entries fight for the right to live another day.

The Falcons, Cardinals, Vikings and Eagles each missed the playoffs last season. So, by the way, did Carolina, the league's only unbeaten club at home.

Atlanta and Philadelphia are both favored on the road against division champions Arizona and Minnesota, respectively. Those odds reflect the relative strength of the NFC South and East, and perhaps offer a bit of an indictment on the North and West.

If you're a fan of quarterback play, the NFC field has it all. From playoff-tested veterans Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb to postseason neophytes like Tarvaris Jackson and rookie Matt Ryan, the men under center are about to take center stage.

Here's an overview of six NFC clubs eager to arrive at Tampa International in three weeks and represent their conference in the league's showcase event. These are the teams that can't wait to show Super Bowl halftime entertainer Bruce Springsteen how to prove it all night on the evening of Feb. 1.

TAMPA TIES

•The Giants have participated in the last two Super Bowls in Tampa, edging Buffalo 20-19 in 1991 and suffering a 34-7 loss to Baltimore a decade later.

•Falcons president Rich McKay used to be the GM of the Bucs. WR Michael Jenkins was a standout at Tampa's Leto High, and LB Stephen Nicholas starred at the University of South Florida.

•Veteran DE Darren Howard, who played at Boca Ciega High in Gulfport, led the Eagles with 10 sacks.

HOTTEST TEAM

After a 27-3 setback at Tampa dropped Carolina to 4-2, the Panthers won eight of their last 10 to grab the NFC's No. 2 seed behind the Giants. Led by RB DeAngelo Williams, Carolina averaged 30 points in the final 10 games to hold off Atlanta for the South crown. Williams was so prolific in the last two months, he finished with 18 TDs and averaged a stunning 5.5 yards per carry.

BEST COACHING STAFF

Tom Coughlin wouldn't allow the Giants to lose their focus, even after Michael Strahan retired and fellow DE Osi Umenyiora suffered a season-ending knee injury during the summer. The defending champs never let the weekly antics of WR Plaxico Burress become a distraction. It won't be long before defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is hired as an NFL head coach somewhere. Pat Flaherty does a great job with the offensive line, and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride maximizes New York's talent.

BEST OFFENSE

The Cardinals boast the NFC's No. 2 attack behind the Saints, and Kurt Warner's prolific gang is particularly potent in the desert. Edgerrin James may have regained his starting RB job, but Arizona prefers to travel by air, with a trio of 1,000-yard receivers in Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston. Warner struggled in December, but he won't be intimidated by the moment today in Glendale and the Falcons had better be ready to play some serious pass defense.

BEST DEFENSE

Philadelphia shut opponents down in the stretch run, and Brian Dawkins has recaptured the physical edge that made him one of pro football's most feared free safeties. Howard and DE Trent Cole key a pass rush that posted 48 sacks, and the rush defense is stout. No NFC club yielded fewer first downs or held opponents to a lower third-down conversion rate. Credit long-time defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, whose nerve and imagination are inspiring.

BEST STORY LINE

Where do you begin when chronicling the story of the 2008 Falcons? A 4-12 franchise torn asunder by Michael Vick's incarceration and Bobby Petrino's December departure to Arkansas resurrected itself with shocking speed.

First-time GM Thomas Dimitroff hired first-time Coach Mike Smith and together, they built a winning organization. Free agent RB Michael Turner proved a sensational addition, and first-round pick QB Matt Ryan excelled as Roddy White emerged as a Pro Bowl receiver. Atlanta had the fortitude to dump expensive malcontents like CB DeAngelo Hall, and a young club kept the faith, delivering owner Arthur Blank quite a holiday package.

RANKING THE QUARTERBACKS

•Kurt Warner: He may have faltered a bit down the stretch, but Warner has a habit of playing big in big games. If the Cardinals can neutralize DE John Abraham and protect Warner's blind side, Arizona has the weapons to exploit Atlanta's secondary.

•Eli Manning: Last year's Super Bowl star is blessed with the league's No. 1 running game, but Manning looked like a legitimate MVP candidate until fading in the past month. Still, his receivers and his coach trust Manning's judgment and nerves in crunch time.

•Donovan McNabb: Philadelphia's playoff-tested veteran rarely throws interceptions, and he was poised throughout last week's rout of Dallas. McNabb has too much experience to be affected by the raucous crowd Sunday at the Metrodome.

•Jake Delhomme: Coming back from Tommy John surgery offers testament to Delhomme's toughness, and he has amassed a legacy as a very effective postseason leader. Delhomme's rapport with WR Steve Smith remains a huge asset for the run-oriented Panthers.

•Matt Ryan: It's clear by now that the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year boasts rare skills, both under center and in the film room. The former Boston College standout can make all the throws, and Atlanta's phenom shows no fear.

•Tarvaris Jackson: After losing his job to Gus Frerotte, Minnesota's third-year pro is back under center, providing Coach Brad Childress with the kind of steady play Viking fans have longed for. Jackson has thrown eight TD passes and one interception in the past four games, but Sunday marks his postseason debut.

WEEKEND ANALYSIS

Bucs G Davin Joseph breaks down this weekend's NFC matchups:

FALCONS AT CARDINALS

"This game matches a really hot Atlanta team against a struggling Arizona team. The Falcons have a very good pass rusher in John Abraham, and the Cardinals certainly like to throw the ball a lot. I feel this is John Abraham's type of game.

"Atlanta is amazing right now - you've got to give them a lot of credit for what they've accomplished. I like the Falcons in this game. You've got Michael Turner running against a defense that isn't that great, and I feel Atlanta will find a way to advance."

EAGLES AT VIKINGS

"I like Philly, period. The Eagles have proven this season that they can play some serious defense when they want to and when they need to. When they're not focused, the Eagles don't play nearly as well. That shouldn't be a problem come Sunday.

"The Vikings definitely have talent, and Adrian Peterson is a great running back, but I don't think they can put up enough points to hang with Philly. This game will belong to Philadelphia. In fact, it could be over by halftime."

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