The Arizona Cardinals take on the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 NFC Divisional Playoffs on Saturday. The Cardinals are coming into New Orleans off an exciting 51-45 Wild Card overtime win against the Green Bay Packers. The NFC South Champions New Orleans Saints are coming off a bye week. They clinched the NFC South Division and the bye, going 13-0 before losing their last three regular season games.

The Saints are favored by 7 points in this Divisional playoff game. The under/over is an astounding 57 points. Here is a preview of the NFC Divisional Playoffs between the Cardinals and the Saints:

In last week’s Wild Card game, the Cardinals were without star WR Anquan Boldin. But his replacement Early Doucet and WR standout Larry Fitzgerald caught 2 TDs apiece to pick up the slack. Boldin is expected to place on Saturday.

QB Kurt Warner had a big day against the Packers, throwing for 379 yards, 5 TDs and only 4 incompletions. The Cardinals needed all of that plus an interception return just to play in this NFC Divisional Championship game.

The New Orleans Saints cruised in their last three games of the regular season after going 13-0. Saints QB Drew Brees had a great year throwing for 34 TDs and only 11 INTs.

As a team the Saints are ranked 1st in total offense, 4th in passing and 6th in rushing. The Cardinals are 15th in total offense 12th in passing and 28th in rushing.

Defensively both teams are in the lower ranks. The Saints are ranked 25 in total defense, 26th against the pass and 21st against the rush. The Cardinals are 20th overall defensively, 23rd against the pass and 17th against the run.

The Cardinals offense averages 344 total yards, 251 yards passing and 93 yards rushing
The NO Saints defense averages 357 total yards allowed, 235 yard passing and 122 yards rushing

The NO Saints offense averaged 403 total yards, 272 yards passing and 131 yards rushing
The Cardinals defense averages 346 total yards allowed, 233 yard passing and 112 yards rushing

The New Orleans Saints have the edge in this NFC Divisional Playoff because they are rested, healthy and playing at home. The Cardinals on the other hand come off an emotional game that went into overtime. They have some nagging injuries and their defense has given up more than 500 yards on two occasions this year.

Expect a high scoring affair with the Saints coming out on top.

Thenflthisweek.com Prediction:

Saints 38 Cardinals 28

sources: espn.com, nfl.com, usatoday.com