NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Picks
So, I only got half right last week. What can I say; I could not have foreseen the unfortunate sickness of the Colts OC or RG3’s knee exploding. Maybe the Colts would have lost anyways, but the Redskins would have won with a healthy RG3. Those first two touchdown drives proved that.
The best thing about this week? There are new games and a new spread. Here we go.
Saturday
Denver Broncos (-9.5) vs. Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 pm
Here we are again. Peyton Manning vs the Ravens. Ravens fans must hate this match-up. The Ravens cannot line up against the Broncos. They have them beat offensively and defensively. Additionally, the Bronco’s have home field advantage.
Peyton Manning isn’t a rookie quarterback; and his receivers can catch something smaller than a beach ball (I’m looking at you Colts receivers.) The Bronco’s secondary is a league ahead of the one the Colts presented last week. The Bronco’s secondary ranks third in the league-allowing only 199.6 yards per game through the air.
It’s safe to say that the Ravens did not dominate offensively last week against a much weaker opponent. This is going to be ugly considering their opponent last week and that the Broncos beat the Ravens 34-17 earlier in the season. This is Ray Lewis’s last dance.
Pick: Broncos w/the spread.
San Francisco 49ers (-3) vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:00 pm
Now this is an interesting match-up. The last time we saw the 49ers they were being torn limb from limb by the Seahawks. Some doubt had also surfaced about the confident Kaepernick. However, the team still finished 11-4 and has home field advantage.
The 49ers had a bye week and have surely spent that time coming up with a plan of attack. Kaepernick has had time to heal his, most likely bruised ego. The 49ers have a very strong rushing game (4th best in the league), which will hurt the Packers. The Packers tend to struggle with teams with strong rushers.
This may come down to the quarterback situation. Aaron Rodgers, is well, Aaron Rodgers, while Colin Kaepernick is still a rookie. If the 49ers can pressure Rodgers and get him out of the pocket consistently they might stand a chance. It must be noted that we haven’t seen Kaepernick on the field since the 49ers destruction at the hands of ‘Hawks. This will be a close game.
Pick: Packers
Sunday
Atlanta Falcons (-2.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:00 pm
Excitement at 1pm! The Seahawks are on a roll right now. They easily handled the Redskins last week and smashed the 49ers the week before. They’re on a hot streak.
The Falcons have had two weeks to prepare defensively. Matt Ryan enters the playoffs coming off his best season. Ryan is a strong signal caller, and as Archie Manning says, he’s not a choker.
The Falcons boast both Julio Jones and Roddy White. However, the Seahawks have the cornerbacks to slow down that duo. Sherman and Browner have the strength and size to beat Jones and White.
Although Wilson is a rookie, he played it cool in the face of a -14 deficit last week. He also has #beastmode Lynch to lean on.
Even though Vegas is taking the Falcons, I am taking the Seahawks. I think the hot team will conquer.
Pick: Seahawks
Texans vs. Pats (-9.5), 4:30pm
Welcome to your shut out of the weekend. The Texans looked tired coming into the playoffs and beat the weaker Bengals by a measly 19-16. The Texans last match against the Pats ended with the Pats wiping the floor with the Texans with a 42-14 score. The Pats had a bye week to prepare and are healthier than when they last left the field.
Secondly, Schaub will not outmatch Tom Brady. The only thing that the Pats might fear is Arian Foster. However, they stopped him 5 weeks ago. They limited him to 46 yards. I don’t see the result this week being any different.
Pick: Pats w/the spread
Hayley Campbell | Elite.
Model Sports Fan, aka Hayley Campbell. Yeah I’m a walking paradox; part model, part sports aficionado. Sports are my lifeblood, in particular the NFL makes my heart beat faster. Oh, and I love beer 
Follow her on Twitter: @modelsportsfan
