NFL enters wild card weekend Saturday

NEW YORK, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The NFL's "Second Season" starts this weekend with two wild cards games in both the AFC and NFC on Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend commences Saturday afternoon with the NFC match-up between the Cardinals and Atlanta at Glendale, Ariz.

Arizona won the NFC West with a 9-7 record, but lost two of its last three regular season contests.

The Falcons were one of the league's surprises, finishing 11-5 under the leadership of rookie quarterback Matt Ryan.

They finished second to Carolina in the NFC South.

Saturday's AFC battle, to be played Saturday night, is Indianapolis at San Diego.

The Colts (12-4) ended the regular season with a nine-game winning streak, while the Chargers (8-8) needed a 52-21 win over Denver just to qualify for the post-season.

They will try to become the first 8-8 team to win a playoff game since 2004, when both the St. Louis Rams and the Minnesota Vikings prevailed.

Sunday's games are Baltimore at Miami and Philadelphia at Minnesota.