NFL playoffs reach quarterfinal round

NASHVILLE, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The Tennessee Titans, owners of the NFL's best regular-season record, open the divisional round of the playoffs Saturday by hosting Baltimore.

The winners of this weekend's four games will be only one victory away from the Super Bowl and five of the eight teams left in the playoffs have never won a Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Tennessee (13-3) is one of those clubs and the Titans' battle with the Ravens is expected to be a defensive slug fest. Baltimore's defense, which limited Miami to 9 points in the wild card round last week, is led by defensive back Ed Reed. He intercepted two passes against the Dolphins.

Baltimore will bring a 12-5 record into the contest.

The Titans and Ravens will kick off at 4:30 p.m. EST, followed by Arizona's visit to Carolina. Arizona (10-7), considered the least likely team to win the title, fought off Atlanta last week to set up a meeting with the second-seeded Panthers (12-4).

Since moving to Phoenix from St. Louis in 1988, the Cardinals have never reached the NFC Championship game.

On Sunday, division rivals Philadelphia (10-6-1) and the New York Giants (12-4) will meet at 1 p.m. EST. The Giants will host the game as they make a bid for their second straight Super Bowl crown.

The final game of the weekend will find San Diego (9-8) traveling to Pittsburgh (12-4). The Chargers are expected to be without league-leading rusher LaDanian Tomlinson.