Last week three of the four home teams won and I went 3 for 4 in my picks. The Wild-card weekend did not really live up to the hype of previous years. Houston won a boring game against Cincannati, Green Bay trounced the Vikings, Ravens smothered the Colts while RGIII was not 100% and lost it for the Redskins. This week we are in the Divisional Rounds, with Denver, New England, Atlanta and San Francisco all come off their bye weeks. Here's a look at the 4 Divisional games.
First Down: Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos Jan 12 4:30pm (FOX)
Last week Ray Lewis and company did not disappoint in a 24-9 win. Lewis had a team high 9 tackles while nearly intercepting a pass. His defense did not allow a single touchdown and kept Andrew Luck and the offense in check. Their offense was no slouch either, with Bernard Pierce and Ray Rice combining for 170 yards on the ground and Anquan Boldin's 5 catches for 145 yards, all in the second half. However, this is not the Colts defense and this is not in Baltimore. Von Miller, Elvis Dumervil will cause constant havoc for Joe Flacco who will need to squeeze everything out of Ray Rice as he can. This week the Ravens travel to Denver to face Peyton Manning and the Broncos. While the players around Manning has changed, he has not, and it will be interesting to see how he fairs in the cold Denver weather. Manning and Lewis will meet for the final time with both knowing the other very well. I think the advantage goes to Baltimore because as good as Demeryius Thomas and Eric Decker are they are not Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison. Also last time these two met the Broncos blew out the Ravens by running the ball, which will NOT be the case this week, Lewis will make sure of that. However, if Joe Flacco has one of those days and throws 5 interceptions Lewis's play won't matter.
Final Score: Ravens 31 Broncos 28
Second Down: Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers Jan 12 8:00pm (CBS)
Another team that is looking to avenge an earlier loss in the season is the Greenbay Packers. The Pack lost in week 1 to the 49ers who were led then by an Alex Smith quarterbacked team. Smith has since been moved to the bench and Colin Kapernick has emerged. The bright lights might be too big for the kid out of Nevada who will make his playoff debut. Kapernick has shown great signs this year but he will have to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers and company. DT Justin Smith is coming back at half speed after a torn tricep. While Aldon Smith, Navvaro Bowman and Patrick Willis will have to keep Rodgers under pressure to have any chance. The 49ers will look to run the ball a good amount and if Kapernick can't get away it'll be a great day for Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson. At the end of the day you always go with the better quarterback, who no doubtly will look to show up the team that snubbed him the draft years ago.
Packers 24 49ers 17
Third Down: Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons Jan 13 1:00pm (FOX)
In what I believe is the most intriguing game of the week the under-the-radar high flying Seattle Seahawks face a team who has everything to prove. Atlanta won the NFC and clinched 1st overall, but that means nothing to everyone outside of Georgia. The Falcons lost to New Orleans, Carolina and Tampa Bay (at home) and their offense has struggled as of late. Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez will have to step up but the X-Factor will be Jacquizz Rodgers and his ability to convert 3rd downs. Seattle has the number one scoring defense which is a scary stat on paper and their ability to run the ball well with Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson gives them the edge in my mind. Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner will play "contract-making games" as they neutralize the Falcons pass offense.
Seahawks 28 Falcons 21
Fourth Down: Houston Texans @ New England Patriots Jan 13 4:30 (CBS)
The final game of the weekend is a rematch between the Texans and the Patriots. Last week Houston struggled to get anything going on offense at home, and on the road in Foxborough in the playoffs is nearly impossible for opponents to play in. However, due to mother nature we should not be accustomed to the snow and flurries at Foxborough as they are expecting clear skies and +15 weathers. Tom Brady has his buddy Rob Gronkowski who is almost unguardable. The Texans hope to keep it close and have a chance at the end and not go down 21-0 early in the first like last time. In the end the Patriots are the better team and it will be a huge shock if the Texans defense is able to stop him. I don't think that will be the case as New England will win.
Patriots 35 Texans 21
Bold Prediction: Rob Gronkowski has 3 touchdowns and over 200+ yards receiving.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Baltimore @ New England
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME #FAILMARY
Seattle @ Green Bay
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