• Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET on ABC
The 2003-04 NFL Playoffs kick off with a fantastic match-up between the top ranked rushing attack and the league's best run defense. Tennessee's front seven will be seriously tested Saturday by the bruising style of running back Jamal Lewis, and the winner of this battle will most likely win the game.
The Titans really need running back Eddie George to have a big day against a tough Ravens defense. He must take some of the attention of Ray Lewis and company off of quarterback Steve McNair. George doesn't need to put up big numbers, just make the Ravens respect the run.
This contest looks to me like it's going to be a knock-down drag-out fight by two teams that don't really like each other very much. The key is going to be how well the Titans handle Jamal Lewis. I like the way the Ravens are playing right now and I look for a big game from Lewis.
Prediction: Ravens 24, Titans 20
• Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers
Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC
This battle features two teams that shot out of the gates early this season, but in my opinion, are stumbling a bit heading into the playoffs. These teams are similar in the fact that they are strong on defense (both are among the best in the league) and not real intimidating on offense.
The Panthers’ success was built on the popular formula of a stiff defense, solid special teams, a good running game, and a quarterback that doesn’t kill you with the dumb mistakes. The Cowboys are not blessed with the talent at running back that the Panthers have, but they have the better receiving corp and their defense compares favorably to Carolina‘s.
The Panthers will throw a huge dose of Steven Davis at the Cowboys, but I expect Dallas to try to make quarterback Jake Delhomme beat them. Look for the Cowboys to counter by keeping safety Roy Williams in the box often early in the game. On offense, Quincy Carter and the wide receiving trio of Joey Galloway, Terry Glenn, and Antonio Bryant have got to make big plays. It’s not likely the Cowboys will be able to move the ball consistently on the ground against this Panthers defense, so they are going to have to pick up big chunks of yardage through the air.
I think this game will come down to a key turnover late in the game.
Prediction: Dallas 20, Carolina 13
