The Divisional rounds of the
playoffs are here. Will the rested teams be able to take advantage of those
teams that have played one more game? Or will momentum from the teams that have
already played come into effect? Here are my predictions!
Saturday
Baltimore Ravens vs Denver Broncos - Broncos
win
From standing on the side-lines with an injured neck, watching
the Colts go 2-14 last season, to recovering from that injury, signing for the
Broncos and earning the 1st seed in the AFC. Broncos QB Peyton Manning has
definitely reasserted his authority in the NFL and has put himself into
contention for the 'Comeback Player of the Year' award and 'League MVP' award.
Winning this game will further increase his chances of not only winning at
least one of those two awards, but adding another Superbowl ring to his hand.
Broncos WR Eric Decker will be helping him out every step of the way back to
the promise land, but Ravens OLB Ray Lewis would also like another
Superbowl ring before he retires and he won't let anything, including
injury, get in his way. Ravens QB Joe Flacco still has a point to prove to show
he is an 'elite' quarterback and the Superbowl will be a great stage to prove
it, but he has to defeat Broncos OLB Von Miller and rest of the Broncos defence
first. Broncos to win
by a touchdown.
Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers - Packers
win
The Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings with ease last
weekend, but it won't be that easy against the 49ers. At least it shouldn't be.
Lacking in playoff experience could become a factor for 49ers QB Colin
Kaepernick. However, the Packers defence mustn't forget the way Kaepernick
performed against the New England Patriots back in week 15. Scoring four
touchdowns but also fumbling the ball four times too. A clear sign his game can
change in an instant, something which Packers LB Clay Matthews should take note
if he is to continue his good form that was earned against the
Vikings. Experienced playoff players in 49ers RB Frank Gore and WR Michael
Crabtree will be helping Kaepernick along the way, but I think he is going to
be out gunned by 'League MVP' contender Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, with likely
connections to WR James Jones and Greg Jennings in the endzone. 49ers LBs Aldon
Smith, Ahmad Brooks and Patrick Willis hope to stop that from ever
happening. Packers to
win by a touchdown.
Sunday
Seattle Seahawks vs Atlanta Falcons - Seahawks win
You really can't knock the effort by the Seahawks this season
under their new QB Russell Wilson. It will be a tough ask for them to win at
the Georgia Dome this weekend as the Falcons have only lost there once this
season. I'm sure the Falcons fans will be loud for Seahawks CB Richard Sherman
so that he knows they're there, especially when they see Falcons WR Julio Jones
fly past him with the ball. Expect the unexpected when those two face off
against each other on Sunday. Falcons QB Matt Ryan will also hope TE Tony
Gonzalez is free and is likely to incorporate some play action to RB Michael
Turner, in order to catch the Seahawks number one defence off guard. However,
Wilson has good enough options in WRs Golden Tate and Sidney Rice to match
them, with RB Marshawn Lynch leading the ground charge. Falcon’s fans will be
hoping DE John Abraham will be able to stop the ball ever leaving the back
field. He is good enough to do so, but I think the Seahawks will edge it in
this one. Seahawks to win by a field goal.
Houston Texans vs New England Patriots - Patriots win
These two teams have already played against each other this
season back in week 14 and the Patriots won comfortably, 14-42. I'm predicting
a much closer score line but the Patriots still to win. If the Patriots can
stop Texans RB Arian Foster, they would win the game in the same style they did
back in week 14. Patriots DT Vince Wilfork will be key to stopping any runs
coming down the middle and piling pressure on Texans QB Matt Schaub. However,
Texans DE J.J. Watt is able to provide the same impact when he plays against
Patriots QB Tom Brady and RB Stevan Ridley. Taking this into account, I believe
this will be a battle down between the two QBs. Brady's main targets of WR Wes
Welker and TE Rob Gronkowski are scoring touchdowns, but Schaub's main
targets of WR Andre Johnson and TE Owen Daniels aren't. They must start
doing so if they are to have a chance of winning, but I feel it's coming too
little, too late for the Texans Superbowl chances. Patriots to win by a touchdown.
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