Five Players To Watch During Wild-Card Weekend

Added on Jan 06, 2011 by Scott in

NFL

Bye, bye regular season, hello playoffs. The NFL’s second season kicks off this weekend with four Wild-Card games. The surprising Chiefs, winners of the AFC West, tangle with the 12-4 Ravens. The defending champion Saints begin their quest to repeat in Seattle, to face the challenged 7-9 Seahawks. A rematch of last January’s AFC title tilt takes place in Indianapolis between the Colts and Jets. And finally, the sliding Eagles will host preseason Super Bowl favorites Green Bay. With matchups like these, there should be no shortage of drama. Here are five players to watch.

Malcolm Jenkins (Saints) – The second-year free safety from Ohio State missed the Week 11 game versus Seattle, but since then he’s been on quite a tear with 19 total tackles, a pair of interceptions (one of which was a pick-six), a forced fumble and four passes defended. Whether it’s Charlie Whitehurst or Matt Hasselbeck under center for the Hawks, they will have to throw to keep pace. Jenkins is a smart, aggressive defender who’s primed to make a momentum-changing play.

Mark Sanchez (Jets) – Most of the talk heading into the Colts-Jets showdown is focused on Peyton Manning. It’s understandable, but the key to this game and the Jets postseason efforts falls on Sanchez’s shoulders. For the most part, he has done a good job limiting turnovers. After hurling 20 picks a year ago, he cut the number to 13 in 2010. His completion percentage was only slightly better, but his receivers didn’t do him any favors by dropping numerous easy catches throughout the season. If the run game stalls, he’ll have to make plays against a wounded Colts secondary. Staying composed and avoiding the “big” mistake must be at the forefront of Sanchez’s mind.

Jamaal Charles (Chiefs) – Charles is by far the Chiefs best player and the catalyst to their offensive attack. The Ravens run defense ranks fifth, but has been more vulnerable on the road. Both Arian Foster and Mike Goodson topped 100 yards. Charles is capable of going the distance every time he touches it. He’s a dual-threat back who fuels the league’s number one rush offense. If he gets to the edge and finds open space, it’s off to the races. However, if the Ravens choose to take him away, which they should, it could be one and done for Kansas City.

Clay Matthews (Packers) – Matthews was an absolute beast in the Week 1 meeting in Philly. He compiled 7 tackles, 3 sacks, a forced fumble and knocked quarterback Kevin Kolb out of the game with a concussion. The Eagles have allowed 50 sacks, the highest total since head coach Andy Reid arrived. The book on Michael Vick has been written: pressure, pressure and more pressure. Matthews posted 13.5 sacks on the season, which was fourth best in the NFL. If he’s not handled by he Birds offensive line and backs, the Eagles will be exiting the playoffs early for a second straight year.

LeSean McCoy (Eagles) – The way to exploit the Packers 3-4 defense is by running right at them. McCoy has proven he can carry the load and punish a front seven. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry and caught a team high 78 passes. The only problem is the Eagles don’t utilize him enough early in games, instead relying on feast or famine downfield bombs. This strategy will not work against the Pack secondary, which is chock full of playmakers like Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams and Nick Collins. If McCoy gets 25 touches, the Eagles have a shot. If not, things will get ugly in the City of Brotherly Love on Sunday night.