It takes a lot to win on the road in the NFL. However, all four visiting teams have a chance to be victorious in playoff games Saturday and Sunday, making this a potentially memorable divisional weekend.
Venue: LP Field
Last time at site: In 2006, the Ravens scored 10 fourth-quarter points to rally past the Titans, 27-26, in Steve McNair's return to Tennessee.
Reason for road optimism: Baltimore has won in four of its past five trips to Tennessee and was victorious in the divisional round there during its Super Bowl run in 2000. This year, the Ravens have shown steady improvement on the road and have won two in a row as visitors. After a narrow 13-10 loss at home to the Titans earlier this year, the Ravens know they can win this time around if they solidify a couple minor areas.
Though the Titans are the AFC's No. 1 seed and ran up a 7-1 record at home this year, they have still shown some vulnerabilities of late. They finished the season by splitting their final six games and were crushed by the visiting Jets in Week 11 at home, 34-13. Tennessee needed a couple of late penalties to beat Baltimore in their earlier meeting and the Titans may not be able to rely on getting those calls again.
Venue: Bank of America Stadium
Last time at site: In Week 8 of this season, Carolina overcame a 14-point second-half deficit behind two acrobatic touchdowns from Steve Smith and then salted away the final six minutes off the clock with a steady diet of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
Reason for road optimism: On the surface, the Cardinals would seem to have no chance in this game after going 0-5 on the East Coast this season. That being said, the Cardinals are having a magical season. They won their first home playoff game since 1947 last week, won their first division title since realignment and have won 10 games for the first time in 10 years. After making history in all those ways, why not make some more by advancing to their first NFC Championship Game (and first championship game of any kind since 1948)?
The Panthers are a perfect 8-0 at home this year, they have never lost a divisional contest in their franchise history (3-0) and they already beat Arizona earlier this season. Those factors would seem to put Carolina in a highly advantageous position. Looking at the issue more closely, however, one sees just how close their win earlier this year was vs. Arizona. If the Cardinals improve in a couple of areas, Carolina could be in serious trouble.
Venue: Giants Stadium.
Last time at site: In Week 14 this season, the Eagles went into New York and handed the Giants their only home loss of the season, 20-14.
Reason for road optimism: Philadelphia generally plays well in New York. QB Donovan McNabb has won four of his last five starts at Giants Stadium and the Eagles get up for their historic rivals. Take out a Week 16 loss to the Redskins and the Eagles have been playing better than any team in the NFC. Such momentum plays a huge role in the playoffs -- just ask last year's Super Bowl champion Giants.
The Giants have not played as well since WR Plaxico Burress was deactivated following an incident in which he shot himself in the leg at a New York nightclub. They are just 2-3 in five games without Burress and have lacked a downfield passing threat. Brandon Jacobs is due back from a knee injury, and while that will help New York, it will still need to improve its passing attack against a hot Eagles club.
Venue: Heinz Field
Last time at site: In the swirling snow at Heinz Field in Week 11, Willie Parker rushed for 115 yards and Jeff Reed hit three field goals, including the game-winner with 11 seconds left, to seal the win for Pittsburgh. The 11-10 final was the first such score in NFL history.
Reason for road optimism: Though the Chargers have lost four straight games at Pittsburgh, the last time they played a postseason game against the Steelers, they left with a 17-13 road win in the 1994 AFC Championship Game. While that may be too long ago for many of the current San Diego players to remember, they do have something more recent they can draw on for inspiration. In their earlier trip to Pittsburgh this season they led until the final seconds despite Philip Rivers having his worst outing. Improvement by Rivers could lead to another San Diego upset.
The Steelers have used the bye to get healthy and QB Ben Roethlisberger is cleared to play after suffering a concussion in the season finale. Pittsburgh should be confident in this game, but its recent home playoff history would indicate otherwise. The only Super Bowl title the Steelers have won since their 1970s dynasty came in 2005 when they had to win three road games to get the Lombardi Trophy. They have lost their last two home playoff games and will need to be at their best to down a scorching Chargers team.
