Man, I really thought the Eagles had a good chance to beat the Cowboys on Saturday.  It seemed like the perfect setup...huge pressure on the Cowboys and an Eagles team that knows the Cowboys well. I thought it would be an ugly game won by the Eagles because of their superior special teams and because of Dallas choking.  Then I thought the Saints would easily beat an Eagles team that was the worst of the 6 NFC playoff teams and face a very tough pick'em game in the NFC Championship against whomever they played.  Oh Well.  Watching Kurt Warner and Aaron Rodgers make pinpoint throws vs aggressive defenses(a la Saints) was not fun today.  Kurt Warner is maybe the best QB in Playoff history.  This is one of those few times I wish the Saints were a cold weather outdoors team because the pass friendly dome may negate some of the home field advantage the Saints have over the Cards.  Anyway let's review these remarkably similar teams:

Rushing Offense-Both teams run to set up the pass.  Both teams like to use the pass to get ahead, and then like to pound the rock with the lead later in the game.  The Saints like to use their backs more in the passing game though.  Fumbles have plagued the Cards backs at times this season but the Cards rushing game has inproved as the season has gone on. Beanie Wells and Reggie Bush can both be gamebreakers but do not even start at their position.  Pierre Thomas may/will be limited with cracked ribs.  Advantage: Cards(mainly bc of Pierre's limitations)

Passing Offense-The bread and butter of these teams.  Drew Brees and his band of Who Dats have the most efficient passing offense in the league. Brees( MVP) ranked first in TD's, completion %, and quarterback rating. Brees(MVP) was also 2nd in yards per attempt and yards per game. Kurt Warner's stats are not as gaudy and he is more streaky. Yet Warner has had some of the best games in playoff history, and he has arguably the best receiver in the league in Larry Fitzgerald.  The Cards have not been as consistent as the Saints passing through the entire season though and Warner can have an awful game every blue moon. Advantage: Saints

Rushing defense-The Saints have struggled vs the run at times throughout the season. The difference is, earlier this season teams had to abandon the run because the Saints were scoring so much in the first and second quarters.  Similarly the Cards opponents oftentimes had to abandon the run early in the game as well, yet the Cards were overall a little better at stopping the run.  I don't think  run defense will be a key factor until late in the game and on 3rd and short. Advantage-Cardinals(slight)

Passing defense-This is where the game will be won IMO.  Whatever team can defend the pass better will likely get ahead early and thus win this game. The Saints had been very good vs the pass until injuries in the secondary crept up. Surefire hall of famers like Mark Bulger, Jason Campbell, and Chris Redman lit up the Saints down the stretch.  Luckily the Saints entire starting secondary will be back for this game and fully rested, but then Charles Grant goes down for the season, which will effect the pass rush. The Cards defense has not been very good against the pass this season yardage wise and has had some injury issues as well.  Both defenses are amongst the league leaders in takeaways though, and this is likely where the game will be won or lost.  Both teams are aggressive, like to blitz, go for the strip, and will jump routes.  The Cards pass defense was not as bad as it looked today as the Pack(mainly Rodgers to Jennings) just made play after play(+ that onside kick really helped).  Pass defense was the Saints forte early this season.  Advantage-Saints(assuming Greer and Porter are back to early season form)

Special teams-Both teams have great punters, and the Saints have the advantage on deeper kickoffs. I probably trust Rackers more than Hartley right now to make a cruicial kick since Rackers got a repreive today which may help his confidence.  As we have seen throughout these playoffs and even leading up to the playoffs, the pressure on these kicks is overwhelming and reliable kickers often miss the big kicks.  Hopefully Courtney Roby will be back at full strength as he is one of the best special teamers in the game. Both teams have good punt returners as well, but will either returner get a chance in this game? Advantage-Even

Coaching-I love both coaching staffs. Payton is an offensive genius.  Whisenhunt had the balls to go with Warner over Leinart a couple of years ago. Great assitants and good front office people too.  Both owners kind of suck though, but that won't matter in this game.  Advantage-Even

Intangibles-Like I said earlier, the dome will be a smaller than normal advantage than usual since Warner is much better indoors.  However, Tom Brady struggled passing in the dome earlier this year and teams that like to audible may struggle with the noise.  The pressure in this game will be squarely on the Saints.  They will probably be a 2-5 point favorite, yet have lost 3 in a row. I think the Cards will be loose and will play the underdog role with the "us against the world", "nothing to lose mentality". Remember, in the second round last season, the Cards went into Carolina, who had the bye week, and won easily.  The Saints are on a 3 game losing streak where they have played subpar, while the Cards just won a nail biter in which their offense was unstoppable. Advantage-Cards

   Although, the Cards have the advantage in more categories IMO, I think the Saints are better in the 2 areas which matter the most in this game. Passing and defending the pass. If the Saints can defend the pass like they did through the middle of the season, they will likely win going away as Warner will get frustarted and start making mistakes. The Saints will get yardage and points vs the Cards, but can they get it done early in the game?  A couple of quick drives for TD's will set the tone and get the crowd rev ved up.  Although the pressure is all on the Saints, I am not worried about the Saints cracking because Drew Brees(MVP) has shown his mettle in big games before. Drew Brees(MVP) is a master preparer and motivator as well and will lead his team to the best of his abilities Saturday night.  Turnovers will be cruicial and the Saints have been a little better all year at creating turnovers and not giving up turnovers than the Cards.  I give the slight advantage to the Saints in what I think will be a well played game. Saints 38, Cards 27.  But I would not be shocked if the Cards play like they did this weekend and during last years playoffs and pull out the win.  I still wish the Saints were playing Philly though...