NFL wild-card weekend previews
A look at the 4 wild-card games this weekend: Arizona-Carolina, Baltimore-Pittsburgh, Cincinnati-Indianapolis, and Detroit-Dallas.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (11-5) at CAROLINA PANTHERS (7-8-1)
When: Saturday, 4:20 p.m.
TV: ESPN Radio: 94WIP
Line: Panthers -6, over/under 38
NFC seeds: No. 5 Cardinals, No. 4 Panthers
About the Cardinals: Ryan Lindley gets the start at quarterback in what will be his first career playoff game. Lindley is the Cardinals' third starting quarterback this season, as injuries to both Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton forced their hand into going with Lindley and his six career starts . . . Lindley will be aided by a trio of wideouts: the ever-reliable Larry Fitzgerald, vertical threat Michael Floyd and speedy rookie John Brown . . . The defense allowed 4.4 yards per rushing attempt and 7.6 yards per pass attempt.
About the Panthers: They are the second team with a losing record to make the playoffs in a non-strike season, joining the 2010 Seahawks . . . Carolina's run defense surrendered 4.5 yards per carry in 2014, fourth worst in the league. That is typical of a team below .500, but if the Panthers' secondary can hang with Arizona's receivers and Cam News throws on his Superman cape for a heroic performance, they have a chance.
Quick statistic: Pro Football Focus' accuracy percentage, which measures completion percentage, but takes into account drops, spikes and passes thrown away, had Carolina's Cam Newton at 66.7 percent this season, a career low that ranked 26th among quarterbacks who took at least 50 percent of their team's snaps in 2014.
Pick: Cardinals 21-20
BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-6) at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-5)
When: Saturday, 8:15 p.m.
TV: NBC10 Radio: 94WIP
Line: Steelers -3, over/under 47
AFC seeds: No. 6 Ravens, No. 3 Steelers
About the Ravens: With the Ray Rice scandal clouding the Ravens' season, Justin Forsett did his best to make Baltimore forget Rice the player, with 1,266 rushing yards (5.4 per carry, third in the league) . . . Joe Flacco, who set career highs in passing yards (3,986) and touchdowns (27), and another stellar Ravens defense, which is tied for fifth in yards allowed per play (5.2), complement Forsett well.
About the Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger underwent a renaissance in 2014, setting or tying career marks in completion percentage, passing yards and passing touchdowns. His 8.1 yards per attempt were his most since 2010, the last season the Steelers made the Super Bowl . . . Le'Veon Bell was second in the NFL in rushing (1,361) . . . Antonio Brown (league-high 1,698 receiving yards) is established as a top-tier wideout and rookie Martavis Bryant (eight touchdown catches) had a breakout campaign, helping end the notion of Pittsburgh as a slow, grinding, run-based offense.
Quick statistic: Roethlisberger's 8.1 yards per pass attempt rank third in the league, as he's been able to stay efficient as a passer despite his league-leading 4,952 passing yards.
Pick: Steelers, 24-14
CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-5-1) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-5)
When: Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
TV: CBS3 Radio: 94WIP
Line: Colts -3.5, over/under 49
AFC Seeds: No. 5 Bengals, No. 4 Colts.
About the Bengals: They are one of the few teams with the skill to combat the Colts' Andrew Luck. Cincinnati ranks seventh in Football Outsiders' Pass Defense DVOA (Defensive-adjusted Value Over Average) and has surrendered the sixth-fewest yards per pass attempt this season.
About the Colts: Everything with the Colts begins and ends with Luck. Surrounded by a middling run game and a slightly above average defensive unit, Luck has been able to lead the Colts to consecutive 11-5 records in each of his three seasons. His league-leading 40 touchdowns this year nearly doubled his previous career high of 23.
Quick statistic: Luck's 86 passing touchdowns in his first three seasons are the second most for any player in the first 3 years of his career, trailing only Dan Marino's 98.
Pick: Colts, 28-17
DETROIT LIONS (11-5) at DALLAS COWBOYS (12-4)
When: Sunday, 4:40 p.m.
TV: Fox 29 Radio: 94WIP
Line: Cowboys -6.5, over/under 48.5
NFC seeds: No. 6 Lions, No. 3 Cowboys
About the Lions: Detroit's defense has been revitalized in 2014, as it yielded only 4.9 yards per play, tied for the third fewest in the league. This was due in part to an improved year from defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who registered 8.5 sacks and 57 total pressures (combined sacks, quarterback hits, and hurries), per Pro Football Focus. Those 57 pressures led all defensive tackles . . . The Lions are lucky Suh's one-game suspension was overturned, as they need Suh to contain the talented Dallas offense.
About the Cowboys: After being embarrassed in a 23-point loss to the Eagles on Thanksgiving, Dallas has looked indestructible, especially on offense, winning its next four games comfortably with a plus-86 point differential. Quarterback Tony Romo defied his constant critics this season, turning in a season in which he led the league in completion percentage, touchdown percentage, yards per pass and passer rating. He's been efficient in the pocket, despite battling back issues. Combine Romo's performance with the league's leading rusher in DeMarco Murray (1,845), and Dallas might have the most-balanced offensive attack of any playoff team.
Quick statistic: End the myth of Romo being a December choke artist. He threw for 987 yards, 12 touchdowns and only a single interception in Dallas' four December wins.
Pick: Cowboys, 35-20