
Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds.
We've decided to extend Studs and Duds into the playoffs. Here's Wild Card Weekend at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory.
Studs
Ed Reed, S Baltimore (2 interceptions, 1 returned for a TD) -- As one of my colleagues said in an email yesterday, there isn't a football player in the NFL (or the world, for that matter) playing better football than Reed. The Ravens' shifty Robin to Ray Lewis' Batman has hauled in six interceptions in his last three games, all must-wins, and has given the Baltimore defense that scary title that no other unit, offense or defense, can claim this season -- "Group You Do Not Want to Play Under any Circumstances." The '07 Patriots offense carried that torch and now the Ravens defense, thanks to Reed, is happy to be strutting around with the acclaim.
Both his interceptions were tough catches, and it was really too bad a potential third interception went through his hands late in the game. Up next for the Ravens? A quarterback who threw just seven interceptions all season. If only they had some experience with a quarterback who only tossed seven interceptions before the playoffs (rubs chin).


There are several different fantasy playoffs models, so it's difficult to accommodate everyone when doing any set of fantasy advice for the real playoffs. Most common models require you to do a bit of prognosticating as far as the actual game winners. To that, I say good luck. This isn't like last year, where we all knew the Patriots were going to the Super Bowl. This season the playoffs are wide open, and no, I don't think the Giants are a sure thing to make the big game. They are the surest bet, but it's still a bet. 
With attention spans dwindling, we forego full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. 
As we get ready for the Wild Card Weekend matchup of the Dolphins and Ravens, Brian Miller from
The holiday season doesn't bring good tidings for everybody. Just ask those head coaches who are spending the New Year 

