NFL Playoffs – Divisional Weekend Injury Report

Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints

Betting Line: Saints -7 (56.5)

Key Injuries for Cardinals – Anquan Boldin (WR), Gerald Hayes (LB)

Analysis – Boldin was held out of last week’s 96-point scoring fiesta against the Green Bay packers. He has a combination of ankle and knee injuries and is questionable to play and is listed as a game time decision. The wide receiver missed practice this week. Boldin is intrinsic to Kurt Warner and the Cardinals keeping up with the Saints’ first ranked offense.

Hayes is likely to practice but lost in the thrill of Arizona’s win is the fact that they gave up a 21-point lead and allowed 45-points overall. With Hayes being a part of last week’s game, he’s likely to go.

No matter which team you like in this game, I’d refrain from betting until the final hour. Of course, Boldin’s absence didn’t stop Arizona last weekend…

Key Injuries For Saints – Pierre Thomas (RB)

Analysis – The PT Cruiser, as I like to call him, has bruised or fractured ribs but that shouldn’t stop him from contributing to the ground game on Saturday. Mike Bell and Reggie Bush serve as the utility runners for the Saints, while Thomas is their all-round ball carrier. With or without him, you’d have to expect that New Orleans is going to be a pass-heavy team on Saturday against Arizona. Either way, Thomas is expected to play.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

Betting Line: Indianapolis -6.5 (46.5)  

Key Injuries for Ravens – Todd Heap (TE), Joe Flacco (QB)

Analysis – These are injuries that bothered both players heading in to their matchup against the Patriots. I wouldn’t worry too much about either. Flacco seem unhinged with his hip injury and Heap was a non-factor anyways.

Key Injuries for Colts – None

Analysis – Same old Colts. The question is whether or not they’ll have the same results.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings

Betting Line: Minnesota -2.5 (46.5)  

Key Injuries for Cowboys – Mario Barber (RB), DeMarcus Ware (LB)

Analysis – Marion Barber’s injury is worrisome for Dallas. Felix Jones is an explosive outside runner but Minnesota is apt at containing those sorts of runners. The backs they have fits with are north-south runners like Barber, and his knee injury has caused him to miss plenty of playing time. DeMarcus Ware will be fine, he’s just on the injury report due to a lingering wrist and back injury that hasn’t slowed him down in the least.

Key Injuries for Vikings – Steve Hutchinson (G), Visanthe Shiancoe (TE), Pat Williams (DT), Antoine Winfield (CB)

Analysis – The injuries for Minnesota should be offset by the week of rest that was provided by coach Childress. Winfield and Williams have been dealing with an assortment of injuries all season, and both should be fine. The biggest concern is Hutchinson who single handedly protects Favre’s blind side and clears the left side for Adrian Peterson. If his back injuries flare up in any way on Sunday, that will leave gaping holes on the offensive line and will give Dallas the room they need to wreak havoc in the Minnesota backfield.

New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers

Betting Line: San Diego -7 (42)

Key Injuries for Chargers – Shawn Merriman (LB)

Analysis – The injury to Merriman appears to be minimal. Both Norv Turner and Merriman expect the questionable status to be lifted by the weekend, meaning “Lights Out” will be ready for the spotlight on Sunday afternoon.

Key Injuries for Jets – Thomas Jones (RB), Shaun Ellis (DE)

Analysis – Jones’ knee has been an issue all season and is a large reason the back has lost his burst. Shonn Greene has stepped up to fill the void left by Leon Washington (out for the season), but Jones’ knee shouldn’t be a major issue on Saturday. The Jets will need as much of Jones and Greene as possible on Sunday so expect the starting back to be in full force against San Diego.

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