The Divisional round of the playoffs are upon us, and there is plenty of interesting story line to keep your eye on.\u00a0 Here is what I will be watching for in the Divisional Playoff edition of the Watchlist Q & A.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 How will the elite Quarterbacks perform in their respective games?<\/strong><\/h3>\nKurt Warner – Arizona – <\/strong>This could be Kurt\u2019s last game in the NFL.\u00a0 Rumors persist that Warner could hang \u2018em up after this season, and why not?\u00a0 Concussions have plagued the certain Pro-Bowler and he\u2019s proven all he needs to prove in the game.\u00a0 Warner should get Anquan Boldin back this week, making him even more of a threat to have a huge game.\u00a0 He is on fire and appears as motivated as any QB still playing.\u00a0 The problem is that he has to face a New Orleans team on the road.\u00a0 New Orleans is going to be rocking and the team would rather die than let their fans down.\u00a0 Warner should still play well, but well enough?\u00a0 Unlikely.<\/p>\nDrew Brees – New Orleans<\/strong> – Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints didn\u2019t have the #one ranked Offense by fluke.\u00a0 They are a scary unit that is a threat to score every time that they are on the field. Look for a rested Brees to dominate this game.\u00a0 Just look at what Aaron Rodgers did to the Cardinals last week – nuff said!!<\/p>\nTony Romo – Dallas<\/strong> – Is there a hotter Quarterback in the NFL?\u00a0 Romo is playing with confidence and poise and appears to be peaking at just the right time.\u00a0 He faces an extremely tough Minnesota Defensive front, but he\u2019s also aware that the weakness of the Vikings Defense is the secondary.\u00a0 I expect Romo to attack the weakness and have yet another huge game for his squad.<\/p>\nBrett Favre – Minnesota<\/strong> – Favre is the biggest question mark when talking about veteran QBS in the playoffs.\u00a0 He faces an incredibly tough Dallas Defense that made Donovan McNabb look amateur in the last 2 weeks.\u00a0 Favre does have the benefit of Adrian Peterson to hand the ball off to however.\u00a0 This should minimize the pressure if Favre decides to go that route.\u00a0 Favre figures to have a tough time against the Hottest Defensive unit tin the NFL.<\/p>\nPhilip Rivers – San Diego<\/strong> – Rivers is simply unstoppable right now.\u00a0 We know that Cornerback Darrelle Revis will limit Vincent Jackson\u2019s output, but Rivers will still get it done with the likes of Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd and Darren Sproles.<\/p>\nPeyton Manning – Indianapolis – <\/strong>Peyton Manning faces a team that usually gives him fits.\u00a0 The Ravens promise to put the pressure on the certain MVP, but would you bet against Manning?\u00a0 I didn\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n2. How will the young Quarterbacks respond to the pressure of the Divisional Round?<\/strong><\/h3>\nMark Sanchez\u00a0 – NY Jets<\/strong> – One thing that we learned about Mark Sanchez this season – he\u2019s exceptional at handing the ball off.\u00a0 In a game against the Chargers, however, chances are that he will have to throw the ball in order to keep up.\u00a0 It might be too tough a test for the rookie.<\/p>\nJoe Flacco – Baltimore<\/strong> – If the game goes Baltimore\u2019s way, Flacco isn\u2019t going to have to do much.\u00a0 The running game is what got the Ravens here and I don\u2019t see them venturing too far from it.\u00a0 When he does have to throw, count on some yards and a few mistakes.\u00a0 The mistakes could be Baltimore\u2019s downfall.<\/p>\n3.\u00a0 Will the Running Games be the story of this weekend?<\/strong><\/h3>\nArizona<\/strong> – Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower are getting better, but they are <\/strong>not quite \u201cthere\u201d yet.\u00a0 Besides, the game is going to be high scoring – lots of passing, Wells and Hightower don\u2019t figure to be a big part of the Game plan.<\/p>\nNew Orleans<\/strong> – Pierre Thomas had an extra week to get healthy as did Reggie Bush.\u00a0 Word is that Deuce McAllister is even back in the fold.\u00a0 New Orleans is at its best when they have a little balance in their offense.\u00a0 You can bet that the coaches used their bye week to figure out how they can reestablish their groung attack.\u00a0 It\u2019s likely that the Running Backs are featured heavily against the Cardinals this weekend.<\/p>\nDallas<\/strong> – Minnesota has the best run stoppers in the NFL.\u00a0 Although Felix Jones has been on fire, it\u2019s not going to be the running game that is going help Dallas win.\u00a0 The running backs will get the ball, but don\u2019t expect a whole lot from them.<\/p>\nMinnesota<\/strong> – Bottom Line – Adrian Peterson HAS to be the man this weekend.\u00a0 Favre has to put his ego aside and let the best player on his team do his thing.\u00a0 The running game will be a factor this weekend for the Vikings.<\/p>\nBaltimore<\/strong> – It\u2019s about all they really have.\u00a0 The Ravens have ridden the running game so far and I don\u2019t see that stopping.\u00a0 They will be in this game, and as long as they are, Joe Flacco will be handing off a lot.\u00a0 Will it be enough?\u00a0 Don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\nIndianapolis<\/strong> – Won\u2019t be a huge factor.<\/p>\nNY Jets<\/strong> – Shonne Greene has come on huge lately <\/strong>and Thomas Jones aint bad either.\u00a0 As long as the keep close with the Chargers, the rushers will be featured.\u00a0 That\u2019s \u201cas long as they keep it close.\u201d<\/p>\nSan Diego<\/strong> – Your guess is as good as mine.<\/p>\n4.\u00a0 Will Defense rule the round?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Drew Brees – New Orleans<\/strong> – Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints didn\u2019t have the #one ranked Offense by fluke.\u00a0 They are a scary unit that is a threat to score every time that they are on the field. Look for a rested Brees to dominate this game.\u00a0 Just look at what Aaron Rodgers did to the Cardinals last week – nuff said!!<\/p>\n Tony Romo – Dallas<\/strong> – Is there a hotter Quarterback in the NFL?\u00a0 Romo is playing with confidence and poise and appears to be peaking at just the right time.\u00a0 He faces an extremely tough Minnesota Defensive front, but he\u2019s also aware that the weakness of the Vikings Defense is the secondary.\u00a0 I expect Romo to attack the weakness and have yet another huge game for his squad.<\/p>\n Brett Favre – Minnesota<\/strong> – Favre is the biggest question mark when talking about veteran QBS in the playoffs.\u00a0 He faces an incredibly tough Dallas Defense that made Donovan McNabb look amateur in the last 2 weeks.\u00a0 Favre does have the benefit of Adrian Peterson to hand the ball off to however.\u00a0 This should minimize the pressure if Favre decides to go that route.\u00a0 Favre figures to have a tough time against the Hottest Defensive unit tin the NFL.<\/p>\n Philip Rivers – San Diego<\/strong> – Rivers is simply unstoppable right now.\u00a0 We know that Cornerback Darrelle Revis will limit Vincent Jackson\u2019s output, but Rivers will still get it done with the likes of Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd and Darren Sproles.<\/p>\n Peyton Manning – Indianapolis – <\/strong>Peyton Manning faces a team that usually gives him fits.\u00a0 The Ravens promise to put the pressure on the certain MVP, but would you bet against Manning?\u00a0 I didn\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n Mark Sanchez\u00a0 – NY Jets<\/strong> – One thing that we learned about Mark Sanchez this season – he\u2019s exceptional at handing the ball off.\u00a0 In a game against the Chargers, however, chances are that he will have to throw the ball in order to keep up.\u00a0 It might be too tough a test for the rookie.<\/p>\n Joe Flacco – Baltimore<\/strong> – If the game goes Baltimore\u2019s way, Flacco isn\u2019t going to have to do much.\u00a0 The running game is what got the Ravens here and I don\u2019t see them venturing too far from it.\u00a0 When he does have to throw, count on some yards and a few mistakes.\u00a0 The mistakes could be Baltimore\u2019s downfall.<\/p>\n Arizona<\/strong> – Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower are getting better, but they are <\/strong>not quite \u201cthere\u201d yet.\u00a0 Besides, the game is going to be high scoring – lots of passing, Wells and Hightower don\u2019t figure to be a big part of the Game plan.<\/p>\n New Orleans<\/strong> – Pierre Thomas had an extra week to get healthy as did Reggie Bush.\u00a0 Word is that Deuce McAllister is even back in the fold.\u00a0 New Orleans is at its best when they have a little balance in their offense.\u00a0 You can bet that the coaches used their bye week to figure out how they can reestablish their groung attack.\u00a0 It\u2019s likely that the Running Backs are featured heavily against the Cardinals this weekend.<\/p>\n Dallas<\/strong> – Minnesota has the best run stoppers in the NFL.\u00a0 Although Felix Jones has been on fire, it\u2019s not going to be the running game that is going help Dallas win.\u00a0 The running backs will get the ball, but don\u2019t expect a whole lot from them.<\/p>\n Minnesota<\/strong> – Bottom Line – Adrian Peterson HAS to be the man this weekend.\u00a0 Favre has to put his ego aside and let the best player on his team do his thing.\u00a0 The running game will be a factor this weekend for the Vikings.<\/p>\n Baltimore<\/strong> – It\u2019s about all they really have.\u00a0 The Ravens have ridden the running game so far and I don\u2019t see that stopping.\u00a0 They will be in this game, and as long as they are, Joe Flacco will be handing off a lot.\u00a0 Will it be enough?\u00a0 Don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n Indianapolis<\/strong> – Won\u2019t be a huge factor.<\/p>\n NY Jets<\/strong> – Shonne Greene has come on huge lately <\/strong>and Thomas Jones aint bad either.\u00a0 As long as the keep close with the Chargers, the rushers will be featured.\u00a0 That\u2019s \u201cas long as they keep it close.\u201d<\/p>\n San Diego<\/strong> – Your guess is as good as mine.<\/p>\n2. How will the young Quarterbacks respond to the pressure of the Divisional Round?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3.\u00a0 Will the Running Games be the story of this weekend?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4.\u00a0 Will Defense rule the round?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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