BACK AGAIN! Ok, after a not so good Wild Card weekend (1 of
4 correct picks), I’m back to give you my preview/predictions on the Divisional
Round games this weekend in the NFL Playoffs. Here we go…
...after a quick Waterboy clip in which there is a portrayal of Boomer and Gainer on game days.
...after a quick Waterboy clip in which there is a portrayal of Boomer and Gainer on game days.
#3 New Orleans
Saints vs. #2 San Francisco 49ers Line:
NO by 4
The weekend starts off with a bang, between two different
styles of teams. The Saints like to air it out with their passing attack and
record breaking QB DREW BREES! Where as the 49ers like to use the ground attack,
with their featured running back, Frank Gore (1,211 rushing yards 8 TD’s). The
Saint will take there air attack out west AND outside to old Candlestick Park
in San Francisco. Everyone this week, keeps talking about the Saints playing
outside (they play their home games indoors at the Louisiana Superdome), and I
really do not see what the big deal is (forecast in San Fran on Saturday, 66
and Sunny). With all that said, the 49ers do have one of the best defenses in
the NFL and will look for their QB Alex Smith to make some plays and/or not
lose it for them, against a suspect Saints defense. In the end, even though I
wouldn’t be upset (shocked) if the 49ers win, I’m going with the Saints in this
one. ROAD WARRIORS! Prediction: Saints
28, 49ers 23
Fun Facts: I’m not sure if this is a fun fact for the Saints
or (Me), but the Saints are
0-4 in road playoff games. The 49ers making their first
playoff appearance since the 2002 season; are currently on a 6-game losing
streak vs. the Saints (Last: Sept. 20, 2010, 25 to 22 @ Candlestick Park).
#4 Denver Broncos
vs. #1 New England Patriots Line:
NE by 14
This one for all intensive purposes should be entertaining
to watch, just for the fact that you will be able to watch Tim Tebow. After a
three-game losing streak to end the regular season, the Broncos with some
“Tebow Magic” upset the Pittsburgh Steelers in OT last week at “Mile High”. The Patriots, who haven’t won a playoff game
since January 20, 2008, will look to spoil the “magically” run of the Broncos.
In a rematch from the regular season (Pats won 41 to 23, in Denver), it’s
becoming harder to go against #TimTebow because whatever the situation, he
finds a way to win (Just Win Baby). With an extra week of rest and preparation,
I like the Patriots in this one, just because it’s hard to imagine Coach
Belichick and the Patriots’ QB Tom Brady losing 3-straight home playoff games.
Will the clock strike midnight on Tim Tebow and the Broncos come Saturday
night, or will he once again pull the rabbit from his “helmet”? Prediction: Patriots 34, Broncos 20
Fun Facts: The Broncos have a 6-3 record in the past 9
meetings vs. the Patriots (including a win in the 2005-06 Divisional Round),
ending the Patriots 10-game playoff win streak (3 out of 4 Super Bowl Rings).
Tom Brady has two HOT “Baby Mama’s”.
On to Sunday’s Games…
#3 Houston Texans
vs. #2 Baltimore Ravens Line:
BAL by 9
This one should be the easiest match-up of the weekend to
pick. With “Big Brother” (The Steelers) out of the playoffs, the Ravens look to
be the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Texans, which are
coming off their 1st playoff win in franchise history last week, are
making their 2nd trip to Baltimore this season (losing 29 to 14,
Week 6). Every year, you hear “this is the last time for Ray Lewis and Ed Reed,
to get back to the Super Bowl” (two guys on my not-so-friendly list), but here
we are again, saying the same thing this season. With a “can’t do anything
right, give all the credit to the defense” QB Joe Flacco and RB Ray Rice, the
Ravens offense will have a stiff challenge vs. a talented Texans defense. In
the end, I think the Ravens will be able to come up with more plays on offense,
then the Texans who will have a 3rd string rookie QB (T.J. Yates)
going up against a dominant defense.
Prediction: Ravens
21, Texans 10
Fun Facts: The Ravens are 5-0 all-time vs. the Houston
Texans, and are hosting their first home playoff game since the 2006 season. The
Texans look to become the 7th team to win 2 playoff games in its
team’s 1st playoff appearance.
#4 New York Giants
vs. #1 Green Bay Packers Line:
GB by 9
Are the Packers in for another run at the Super Bowl trophy
or are the Giants coming into form for a surprise run of their own. Sunday
afternoon will tell us a lot about that statement. Giants, who have had some
players this week say that they feel confident in winning the rematch against
the Packers (lost the 1st meeting at home, 38 to 35, Week 13), will
have to travel up to Green Bay this time around (a place where they got hammered,
last December 45 to 17). I wonder about the Packers defense being able to
slow-down Eli Manning and the Giants offense, and I want to see if Aaron
Rodgers can continue his success from the regular season against a “ready for
primetime” defense. What sorts of affect will the week off, have on the Packers
(15-1), where the teams hosting the Divisional Round game are 6-6 in the past
three playoffs. I look for a high-scoring game, with the Packers starting
another run at the Super Bowl. Prediction:
Packers 34, Giants 30
Fun Facts: The Packers are trying to become the first time
since the 2004-2005 New England Patriots to play in back-to-back Super Bowls.
The Giants look to beat the Packers in the playoffs at Lambeau Field for the
second time in a row (2008 NFC Championship Game, 23-20 F/OT), the last game
Brett Favre would play for the Green Bay Packers.
