Which Game is Most Intriguing this Weekend?

With Wildcard weekend come and gone, there are only eight teams remaining with a shot to win the Super Bowl, and all four seem to be games that will draw a lot of interest. From trash talking to bone breaking hits, and underdogs to maybe the two best teams in football, the match ups all have their own underlying stories. So which one should you look forward to the most?

1. Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

This has to be the number one game of the weekend because of how close these two have played each other this year, both teams having won a game by three points apiece. Most recently the Steelers were able to score 10 fourth quarter points en route to a 13-10 victory.

These two teams fit the trend of the AFC divisional round because like the other game, they hate each other. If you like football, and like football being played right with big hits, this is the game you are most looking forward to.

Both teams have quarterbacks who know how to get it done in the playoffs, Ben Roethlisberger already has two Super Bowl rings, and Joe Flacco has only gone 4-2 in road playoff games in his three year career.

Looking for defenses who know how to stop the other team? The Steelers were number one in the league in points against, and the Ravens came in at number three. Not to mention both finishing in the top 10 in total yards per game.

Lastly, both Rashard Mendenhall and Ray Rice topped the 1,200 rushing yards mark, landing both of them in the top 10 by league's end. So against both those top defenses the rushing attacks are a focal point for each team, making a battle in the trenches supremely important.

Both these teams are ones that could easily win the Super Bowl. They boast top defenses, quarterbacks that know how to win in the playoffs, and top tier running backs. In terms of games that you have to see this weekend, this tops the list.

Oh, and just for trash talking purposes, the Ravens broke Roethlisberger's nose this year. Something that coach John Harbaugh was proud of simply saying, "He’s a tough guy. He had the broken nose. ... I was glad we broke his nose."

2. Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons

Maybe a surprise to be in the top two, but you have to look at this match up without thinking of the intangibles of the other games this weekend. When you are talking about the match ups how can you look at this game and not be salivating as a football fan?

Take the fact that the Packers are coming off of a win in Philadelphia where they slain Superman in Michael Vick. But they have been a pick as a Super Bowl favorite from before the season ever even began. They are now getting healthier and becoming a smoother team all around, especially with the emergence of rookie James Starks, coming off a game of over 100 rushing yards last week.

Then there is Atlanta, only the number one seed in the NFC with top five players at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end. They have a little bit of firepower of their own, having victories over the New Orleans Saints, Ravens, and these here Packers.

This game is full of offensive firepower, top signal callers in Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan, two of the best wide outs in football in Roddy White and Greg Jennings, and defensive studs in John Abraham and Clay Matthews (a leading candidate for defensive player of the year).

Oh and on top of all the star power, these two teams faced off earlier this year. The difference was three points. Those three point, they were earned with an Atlanta field goal with only nine seconds left. Yeah this should be a close game with a lot of great plays. Why wouldn't this be in the top two games to watch this weekend?

3. New York Jets at New England Patriots

Finally, the one that everyone may be talking about this week, but realistically only coming in third on must watch. Yes this game is ripe with storylines, Rex Ryan versus Bill Belichick, Tom Brady against Antonio Cromartie and his tirade aimed at him, and that whole 45-3 demolishing that was brought on the Jets by the Patriots mere weeks ago.

With all of those in the background this game is extremely intriguing and entertaining, but the game simply might not live up to it. The Jets have a great defense, and in last weeks game against the Indianapolis Colts their run game was dominant. However, the Patriots knew all about their defense and run game going into that last game. Brady picked apart a defense that since then has last another member of its secondary in Drew Coleman, and the Patriots defense has allowed just over nine points per game in the last five games.

The Jets will have to capitalize in three areas, ball control, strength at the cornerback position, and special teams. If they can control the clock with their run game this game completely changes, because otherwise Brady and his ability to throw to his tight ends and avoid Darrelle Revis and Cromartie could run away with this one again at home. Jets will need Brad Smith to be a difference maker both in special teams and as a wildcat quarterback, he is the X-factor and if he doesn't step up it is fair to say the Jets are in trouble.

Simply put this game is going to be wildly entertaining in many aspects, just when you look at their last match up and where the teams are now it is hard to say it is more intriguing and watchable than the two previously mentioned. Then again, the Patriots have two losses this year, one of which came at the hands of the Jets.

4. Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears

The final game of the weekend has those lovable underdogs in the now 8-9 Seahawks traveling to Chicago, where they beat the Bears earlier this season. This game may not be as glamorous as the other three, but the Cinderella story that grips March Madness so much is now alive and well in the NFL, and is bringing in more and more viewers. Last weeks game against the New Orleans Saints helped NBC boast a record for Wildcard Saturday.

The Bears have one of the best defenses in the league, and with Seattle coming off a game in which they scored 41 points, the chess match begins. Matt Hasselback had a brilliant game tossing four touchdown passes, and nobody will soon forget Marshawn Lynch's absolutely incredible 67 yard touchdown run to seal the win.
The Seahawks will not only have momentum, but memories of going into Chicago and winning back in week six. That game included six sacks for the Seahawks, but this is something that Mike Martz and the Bears offensive line has seemed to fix in previous weeks. There is also a matching of wits between Martz, the offensive genius, and Pete Carroll a defensive minded coach.

Despite the record, and also despite the previous meeting, this game seems to be two teams that people still do not know what to expect from. That mystery and uncertainty certainly makes this match up intriguing; and that idea of a Cinderella team, a team that people did not want in the playoffs, making it to the NFC Championship, now that is a story that will bring the people.

All of these games, as you would hope in the Divisional round, are set to be great games, and all intriguing in their own right. The rivalries in the AFC, the star power and Cinderella story in the NFC, all bring a different level of anticipation. While there are no guarantees, this weekend of football should be quite entertaining no matter what angle you are looking for.