Playoff Preview (Packers @ Cardinals)

Green Bay @ Arizona (Sun, 4:40, FOX)
In the third rematch of Week 17 in the Wild-Card round, the Packers go back to the desert and will face the Cardinals' starters this week. Last week's game meant nothing to both teams, they were both in the playoffs and knew they were facing each other. The Cardinals started Matt Leinart last week and played most of their backups. This week is completely different because Kurt Warner leads Arizona into battle.
The Green Bay Packers are one of the hottest, if not the hottest team in the league and will look to continue they run with a win over Arizona for the second straight week. Aaron Rodgers is making Packer fans forget about the Favre era with good reason. Throwing for almost 4500 yards and having two 1,000 yard receivers, Rodgers is quickly becoming the next great quarterback for the Packers. But, it has not just been Rodgers, Ryan Grant is having an amazing year as well at running back. Grant's performance is flying way underneath the radar with the way Rodgers has performed. With the emergence of tight end Jermichael Finley, Rodgers has found a safety valve in the passing game to complement Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.
On defense, the Packers have been as good as the offense. Three of their top six tacklers are linebackers and they have been the heart of their defense this season. Nick Barnett's veteran leadership has helped with the development of A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews. Matthews has been the standout on the defense with 10 sacks and has provided defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac with a weapon of the end to rush the quarterback. But the real star on the defensive side of the ball this season has been Charles Woodson. The former Heisman winner 9 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 defensive touchdowns. Woodson will be called upon to shut down Larry Fitzgerald today.
Speaking of Fitzgerald, he needs to have a huge game for the Cardinals to succeed. Anquan Boldin is out and Steve Breaston has to help Fitzgerald in the receving corps to help Kurt Warner spread the ball out to everyone. Warner is one of the most successful postseason quarterbacks in the history of the league and with word coming out this weekend that it is likely he will retire after the playoffs should give him extra motivation to win in what could be his final season. Unlike past seasons, Warner now has a reliable run game led by Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower to go to to provide balance.
On defense, the Cardinals' strong point is their secondary. Led by Antrel Rolle and Adrian Wilson, the secondary has gotten contributions from Bryant McFadden and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Facing the Packers' receivers will not be that big of a task for them but if the Packers do break free expect a long day.
5 Players to watch for the Cardinals
QB Kurt Warner
RB Beanie Wells
S Adrian Wilson
CB Bryant McFadden
WR Larry Fitzgerald
5 Players to watch for the Packers
QB Aaron Rodgers
CB Charles Woodson
LB Clay Matthews
RB Ryan Grant
TE Jermichael Finley
Matchup to watch: Fitzgerald v. Woodson
Prediction: Packers