Playoffs always bring out superstitions or traditions. Playoff beards, mohawks and lucky tee shirts are among the favorites. But nothing is bigger in the NFL than playing the “no respect” card. Somehow, nobody believes in any of the playoff teams and the players feel the need to gain everybody’s respect by winning games that nobody thought they were going to.

Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan believes that nobody has believed in the Ravens this season. Apparently not even last week when the Ravens went to Miami to take on the underdog Dolphins.

“Nobody has respected this team until right now, and that’s fine with us,” Ryan said. “Tough on everybody else, just right for us.” MORE

The Cardinals were another home underdog last week, so it stands to reason that they aren’t “respected” going to Carolina this week.

The 0-5 record in the Eastern time zone this season, the blowouts at Philadelphia and New England – it turns out they were part of an elaborate plot by the Cardinals to make themselves the biggest underdogs in the NFL playoffs this year.

“It’s the plan, man,” linebacker Karlos Dansby said, smiling, “be the underdog and try to get a victory in a hostile environment. It’s a great stage. It’s the setup.” MORE

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