The initial NFC playoff game will feature the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. The two teams will meet in Arizona on January 3, 2009 at 4:30 pm. The Arizona Cardinals (9- 7) earned the NFC West title easily. However late in the season, the club had a tough time winning games. The Wild-Card Atlanta Falcons (11-5) are quarterbacked by rookie Matt Ryan. Ryan helped to make the Michael-Vickless Falcons one of the feel good stories of the season. 
The New York Giants (12- 4), who won the Super Bowl last season, hold the best record in the conference. With first-place in the NFC East, the NY Football Giants hold a first week bye and home field advantage for as long as they’re in the playoffs. The secret to the team’s success lies in its tough defense and its superior rushing game. The club’s top ground gainer, Brandon Jacobs, missed the last regular-season contest due to a knee injury. The bye will give him an extra week to rest his knee.
The Carolina Panthers (12- 4), the best club in the NFC South, topped Atlanta by one game. The Panthers earned a bye in round one. The club won the NFC South crown with a 33- 31 win over the New Orleans Saints in the last contest of the season. The Panthers’ banged up defense will use the off-week to get healthy.
The Arizona Cardinals (9- 7) are tops in the NFC West. The Cards had a rough go of it at the end of the season. They will host the extremely tough Atlanta Falcons (11- 5), a Wild-Card club. The Minnesota Vikings (10- 6) are the NFC North champs. The Vikings will play the Philadelphia Eagles (9- 6- 1). The Eagles won the Wild-Card by embarrassing the Cowboys on the final day of the season.
The Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Redskins.
The 2008- 2009 Wild-Card Schedule:
Jan. 3, 2009:
*NFC Wild-Card:’ Atlanta Falcons (11-5) Vs. Arizona Cardinals (9- 7) at 4:30 pm (NBC)*AFC Wild-Card:’ Indianapolis Colts (12- 4) Vs. San Diego Chargers (8- 8) at 8:00 pm (NBC)
Jan. 4, 2009:
*AFC Wild-Card:’ Baltimore Ravens (11-5) Vs. Miami Dolphins (11- 5) at 1:00 pm (CBS)*NFC Wild-Card:’ Philadelphia Eagles (9- 6- 1) Vs. Minnesota Vikings (10- 6) at 4:30 pm (Fox)