Talking theTalk about the 2009 Post Season Playoffs: Step 1

For football fans --and let's face it, that's a lot of people because professional football is one of the most popular spectator sports in the country-- the playoffs are the most exciting part of the season.  Since the playoffs begin today, here's a quick overview of the basics such as who's playing and when, key lingo and some background information to help you begin to talk the talk:

Who's Playing in the Playoffs?

       Indianapolis Colts              San Diego Chargers
       New Orleans Saints           Minnesota Vikings
       Green Bay Packers            Arizona Cardinals
       New York Jets                  Cincinnati Bengals
       Philadelphia Eagles             Dallas Cowboys
       Baltimore Ravens               New England Patriots

What sports fans know: The playoffs are a series of four rounds of games between 12 teams which ultimately results in the NFL's championship game, the Super Bowl. Eight of the teams are Division champs. The remainder are "wildcards". Within the NFL there are 2 Conferences (AFC and NFC). Within each conference there are 4 Divisions (N, S, E, W). Division champs have the best record in their divisions. Each conference has two wild card spots for the two teams with the best record that did not win their division.

How Do They Determine Which Teams Play Each Other?
The process for scheduling 'matchups' is called 'seeding'. The highest seeded teams always play the lowest seeded teams as the privilege of having outplayed the other teams in the conference.
What Sports Fans Know: Seeding also determines which teams play at home - the team with the highest seeding in a match up, plays at home... and gets the home field advantage, giving the team a "12th man".  Each of the four rounds has a name: The Wild Card Weekend, the Division Round, the Conference Round and the Super Bowl. Some fans like to track the winners of each round on a bracket. You can download your own Playoff bracket here.

Who's Playing This Weekend -- The Wild Card Weekend?
Today, the NY Jets will play the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys will face the Philadelphia Eagles.
What Sports Fans Know: Both of these match-ups ironically are repeat match-ups of the final game of the season in which Jets beat the Bengals and the Cowboys beat the Eagles.

On Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals will play the Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Ravens will play the New England Patriots.
What Sorts Fans Know: The Cardinals and Packers just played against one another in the final game of the season in which the Packers dominated the Cardinals so the Cardinals will have a chance at revenge.

Extra Credit
The Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings will have the weekend off as they await the winners of the first round.
What Sports Fans Know:  In playoff speak, they have a "bye" . Byes are the reward for the teams that have the first and second best record in their conferences. They get to progress to the next round without playing an opponent in the first round.

If you want to find out more on the rules of football, player positions and what the heck the referees are signaling check this out. 

Next time we'll share some Playoff conversation starters... and stoppers!