If the season were to end today, below would be the playoff pairings for the 2009 NFL season.
AFC
(6) Baltimore Ravens(1) at (3) New England Patriots
(5) New York Jets at (4) Cincinnati Bengals
The (1) Indianapolis Colts and (2) San Diego Chargers would both have byes with the Colts holding home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
NFC
(6) Dallas Cowboys at (3) Minnesota Vikings
(5) Green Bay Packers at (4) Arizona Cardinals
The (1) New Orleans Saints and the (2) Philadelphia Eagles(2) would both have byes with the Saints holding home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
One of the hot stories of wild-card weekend will surely be that of Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys. The so-called “America’s Team” has not won a playoff game since 1996 and has earned themselves a reputation as a team that performs well in the regular season, only to flounder in the playoffs. This playoff scenario offers an interesting twist providing back-to-back match-ups between NFC East rivals as the Eagles will be visiting the Cowboys in Week 17 to put the regular season to an end. Romo has the Cowboys riding high as possibly the hottest team in the NFC after defeating an undefeated New Orleans Saints team in week 15 and shutting out NFC East foe, Washington Redskins, in Week 16. Romo has been playing exceptionally well, passing for 9 touchdowns and only 1 interception in the past 5 games. In fact, Romo, who has earned a reputation as a careless passer, threw his first interception in his last 167 attempts on Sunday night.
Tom Brady, Randy Moss and friends are looking likely to host Rex Ryan and the New York Jets on wild-card weekend. Although much of this game’s storyline will focus on players like Brady, Moss, Sanchez and Welker, the focus should be on Player of the Year candidate, Darrelle Revis. In two-match up’s against Randy Moss this season, Revis has held Moss to an average of 4.5 catches and 29 yards per game. However, Randy Moss isn’t the only elite wide receiver that Revis has made transparent this season. Roddy White (4/33), Antonio Bryant (2/22), Terrell Owens (3/13,3/31), Carolina’s Steve Smith (1/5), Marques Colston (2/33), and Andre Johnson (4/35) have all fallen prey to the 3rd year corner. Revis, a former 1st round pick out of Pittsburgh, has become the undisputed top shut-down corner in the NFL.
*Updated*
(1) Baltimore holds the head to head tie breaker over the Denver Broncos for the 6th seed in the AFC.
(2) Philadelphia controls their own fate for the 2nd seed in the NFC after Minnesota lost in OT to Chicago.
