Playoffs?! Are you Kidding Me?! Part 1

As of today, the number two seed Minnesota Vikings have no idea who they'll be facing in the 2010 NFL Playoffs. Will it be round three with the Packers? A rematch with the Cardinals? Perhaps "America's team" will show up at Mall of America Field. Who knows at this point.

Here's a breakdown of the other five teams in the NFC playoffs that we could be playing on the road to Miami.

Philadelphia Eagles 11-5 (#6 seed)

Strengths: The Eagles live and die on the shoulders of their quarterback, Donovan McNabb. If McNabb is on his game, the Eagles offense is very hard to stop. McNabb also has a weapon named DeSean Jackson. If you don't know Jackson or never seem him play, imagine Percy Harvin that has the deep ball threat of Randy Moss. In other words, he is very dangerous. Jackson is also a major threat in the kick & punt return games and can bring one back at any time.

Another strength of the Eagles is experience. Philly has been in the NFC championship a whopping five times since the 2001-2002 season. Even though the Eagles won just one of those NFC championship games, McNabb and head coach Andy Reid know what it takes to be successful in the playoffs.

Weaknesses: With a strong passing attack usually comes a good rushing attack. Not in Philadelphia's case. Ranking 22nd in the league in rush offense, you could say that the Eagles own a one-dimensional offense. To the Eagles, a pass out of the backfield to running backs Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy is basically a run. Westbrook is a tremendous pass catcher and McCoy is certainly learning and they both have the potential to take a two yard swing pass for 15+ yards.

Outside of the passes to the backs, the Vikings shouldn't and won't worry about getting beat with the run.

Green Bay Packers 11-5 (#5 seed)

Strengths: This may be surprising especially since what the Vikings did to them twice this season but the Packers finished second in the NFL in total defense. They have the league's top rush defense (four yards better than the #2 Vikings) and a passing defense good enough for fifth in the NFL. This defense is simply good and very well rounded.

On the other side of the ball, the Packers are pretty decent at passing as well. Lead by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are the seventh best passing team in the NFL. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver are very good receivers and with the emergence of tight end Jermichael Finley, Green Bay has a passing attack that can look a lot like Minnesota's at times as Rodgers likes to spread the ball out.

Weaknesses: Even though the Packers statistically have a great defense, they tend to give up a big game any given week. Look what Brett Favre did against them twice. How about Ben Roethlisberger's 500+ passing yards? If you keep your game plan centered around the pass but threaten with the run, you can be successful against the "Great Wall of Cheese."

Like the Eagles, the Packers really don't have a running game that should worry the Vikings. It's true that running back Ryan Grant has played better late in the season but he should still struggle against the Vikings run defense.

It is going to be harder to beat Green Bay as they're a completely different team that's now healthy. Gone will be the cupcake second string offensive tackles for Jared Allen to feast on. You still have to get pressure on Rodgers, however. If you force Aaron into making mistakes, he will make them.

Also, don't be afraid to run the ball. Adrian Peterson is the type of back who can have great games against any defense even if it's the best in the league. Adrian shouldn't get 30+ carries but just enough to force the Packers to pick their poison.