ESPN NFL Playoffs 2008

After breaking down film, Scouts Inc. runs down what jumped out at us.

What else stood out?

Check out Gary Horton's five other tidbits you might not have noticed. Insider

• The Ravens really know how to defend the Wildcat formation. They play a 3-5-3 (3 D-linemen, 5 LBs and 3 DBs), which gives them good athletes on the second level who have the speed to flow to the ball or blitz the A-gap at the snap. This allows them to take away the inside run off the direct snap, but they still have the speed to handle the wide play or counters.

• Chargers QB Philip Rivers loves the vertical passing game, and this offense really stretches the field, especially versus man-to-man coverage on the outside. This is a proud offense that loves to take chances, and Rivers will spread the ball around very well.

Anquan Boldin

Wide Receiver Arizona Cardinals Profile

2008 SEASON STATISTICS Rec Yds TD Avg Long YAC 89 1038 11 11.7 79 571

• The Cardinals' ability to block downfield is underrated. All of their receivers are physical players with good size, and they have a short passing game that is designed to create yards after catch, making blocking on the second level very important. The Cardinals do a nice job of helping each other out, and they are especially effective when WR Anquan Boldin makes the catch and gets blocking from WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston.

•It usually goes unnoticed, but veteran P Mike Scifres is an excellent weapon. Against the Colts, he nailed six punts inside the 20-yard line -- three inside the 10-yard line. He is the best directional punter in the league and and a critical factor in helping San Diego win the battle for field position.

• The Titans will utilize a four-man rush and drop seven into coverage ,with a variety of zones and limited blitzing. They have a solid secondary, but they are better as a unit than as individuals, and you won't see a lot of man coverages.

Gary Horton, a pro scout for Scouts Inc., has been a football talent evaluator for more than 30 years. He spent 10 years in the NFL and 10 years at the college level before launching a private scouting firm, The War Room.