NFL Divisional Round Predictions

Ok, I didn't do so good on my Wild Card Weekend Predictions and I'll get into those games in just a little bit. I only got one game right, but the rest could've gone either way. The Divisional Round has been decided, but before I get into those games, I'm gonna give my thoughts on each of the Wild Card games.

Be Warned, this blog post will be a little long.


(3) Houston Texans defeat (6) Cincinnati Bengals

I'll make this one quick. I said in my last blog post that the Bengals have a habit of missing opportunities and they did. Dalton missed Green deep for a TD that could've given them a 20-19 lead. I also said their defense would give them chances and they came to play only allowing ONE offensive TD. But the Bengals couldn't capitalize on those opportunities. Other than that, their offense didn't convert one third down, the offensive line couldn't block all game and Foster and Watt helped carry Houston to victory. Too many dropped passes, and too many missed opportunities that could've put Cincy over. Dalton was just inaccurate all game and loses to Houston the second year in a row. For now, they're out of the playoffs and Houston moves on to play New England.

(3) Green Bay Packers defeat (6) Minnesota Vikings

The news of Ponder not playing was definitely big for the Vikes cause although Ponder isn't great, he does help that offense flow along with Peterson. Didn't have a lot of faith in Joe Webb. Green Bay took care of business big time holding AD under 100 yards, and giving Webb a hard time. Green Bay was up 24-3 at one point and you knew it was game. Most people said it was game when they heard Ponder wasn't starting, but I knew Green Bay was going to win regardless. This was the only game I got right. Green Bay moves on to play San Francisco.

(4) Baltimore Ravens defeat (5) Indianapolis Colts

Other than a couple big plays, the Ravens didn't really play that well. Rice fumbled twice, and it took a bad matchup on Boldin for Flacco to get going. As far as the Colts are concerned, Luck played well, but there were WAY too many dropped passes, the line couldn't block most of the time, and too many field goals and not enough TDs when they got in the RedZone. Last home game for Ray Lewis and the Ravens got the job done. The game was close until late in the third and into the fourth. Indy could've won, but again, too many missed opportunities. Colts will be good for years to come. The Ravens now have a date with Peyton Manning and the #1 seed Denver Broncos.

(5) Seattle Seahawks defeat (4) Washington Redskins

The X-Factor going into this game was RG3's health. Early on, he seemed fine as they jumped on Seattle 14-0. But I saw that before they scored the second TD, RG3 looked like he re-injured his leg. Ever since then, his mechanics were all messed up. He couldn't run, plant his feet to pass, or even escape pressure. He ran with a limp on one play in the first quarter. I think after that, he should've been out. With RG3 unable to produce, Russell Wilson led his team back and scored 24 unanswered in Washington to get the win. I knew the Seahawks were legit, but I thought RG3 would be healthy enough to lead them to victory, but that was not the case and Seattle moves on to Atlanta. I'm not making any excuses, but a healthy RG3 wins that game. Once RG3 went down, it was inevitable. Cowboys fans need to relax too saying the Cowboys would've beaten Seattle. No, they wouldn't have. Seattle would've blown them out.....again.



Ok, now that I'm done with that recap, it's time to get to the NFL Divisional Round. And we have some GOOD games lined up. Well, hopefully.

(4) Baltimore Ravens vs (1) Denver Broncos

You remember the last time these two teams played each other? The Broncos beat them 34-17. Ray Lewis coming back gives this defense a new fire and they'll play better this time around. And if anybody can match Peyton Manning's Football IQ and study just as hard as he does, it's Ray Lewis. Joe Flacco struggled against a Colts secondary that wasn't that great and now they're going up to Mile High to play the #2 ranked defense overall and the #3 ranked defense against the run. And more importantly, they're playing Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning FINALLY has a defense that can get off the field on third down, can stop the run and can for sure create turnovers. They also have a damn good running back in Knowshon Moreno. Ever since their offense got their chemistry going, they've been unstoppable. The reason they've been so good is that they like to jump on their opponents early. If Denver goes up by double digits, they can unleash Von Miller and Company on Joe Flacco and that defense is relentless with their pass rush. The Broncos are no longer the team that spots the opponent 20 points and plays from behind. Now, they can go up by 20 and make their opponent play from behind, and you don't want to play from behind against Denver. It's a battle most teams didn't win.

Peyton Manning knows the Baltimore Ravens inside and out. He's played them time and time again, and knows when to throw on this team and take chances. I don't think the Ravens are going to get blown out again, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Joe Flacco needs to protect the football. So that means no wild throws or trying to make a play when there's nothing there. When all else fails, dump it off to Rice, or Pierce and they'll set up the passing game for Flacco to open up better opportunities. If the Ravens play like they did yesterday against Denver, they will get blown out again because Peyton Manning will cash in on touchdowns when he has the opportunity. At the end of the day, I think it's too much Manning and too much Von Miller.

Prediction: Broncos defeat Ravens

(3) Green Bay Packers vs (2) San Francisco 49ers

This one is tough. Back in Week 1, the Niners beat Green Bay 30-22. They even led the game 23-7 heading into the fourth quarter. But now, things are different. The Packers have found their groove since then and the Niners benched Alex Smith for Colin Kaepernick. While I do like Colin Kaepernick, I don't like how they treated Alex Smith. That's neither here nor there, so let's get to the game.

While we're on him, let's start with Colin Kaepernick. He doesn't have the accuracy throwing the football or Football IQ that Alex Smith has, but what he lacks in that, he makes up for in arm strength, the ability to throw the ball down field and extend the play with his legs. Unlike last year, the Niners offense won't have to go through Vernon Davis because now they've got Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree has played well for this team. The Packers secondary is good, but they do give up the big play occasionally and with Kaepernick, they love to throw the ball deep. The only thing is that Kaepernick turns the ball over. He has three interceptions with nine fumbles. He can make the big play, but he's gotta protect the ball.

On the other hand, the San Francisco 49ers are vulnerable on defense. It showed with New England and when Seattle put 40 on them. Green Bay has the receiving core to stretch the field and Rodgers loves to stand back in the pocket and pick apart the defense. The defensive line has missed Justin Smith. If he returns on Saturday, that team gets a much needed boost on the defensive line and can pressure Aaron Rodgers. The Niners defense is so physical and will get their hits and cause pressure. That's what they'll have to do to beat Green Bay. Same way they beat New Orleans last year. That defense really needs to show up cause Rodgers and his weapons will wreak havoc if they have the chance.

All that said, I got Green Bay. My Super Bowl pick was Denver vs San Francisco, but I gotta pick against the Niners here. Just don't trust Colin Kaepernick. Even though Green Bay is on the road, it doesn't matter. I think Aaron Rodgers is going to be too much for the Niners to handle. Niners defense is elite, but if any team can go into San Fran and win, it's Green Bay. People forget how good Aaron Rodgers really is.

(5) Seattle Seahawks vs (1) Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons under Matt Ryan and Mike Smith are 0-3 in the playoffs. The last time they were the #1 seed in the NFC, Green Bay blew them out by 27 points. Nobody is giving them a chance, but I'm going to give them a chance. They have to get over the hump sometime. Here's why I believe in them. You can talk about their explosive, quick strike offense, but the reason they could get the job done is their defense. Mike Nolan has done a masterful job in changing the identity of this defense. They do a great job of confusing the quarterback and changing their defensive schemes, moving around on the line, stack 8 players in the box and drop 4 into coverage, and other things. Also, the pickup of Asante Samuel was HUGE for this team as well. Him and DeCoud are a great cornerback combination on the outside.

Everybody is already giving the win to the Seahawks and they are a dangerous team. Like I said before, their defense is extremely athletic, speed off the edge and versatile and powerful corners that can get aggressive with receivers. Sherman and Browner are gonna have a tall task covering Roddy White and Julio Jones. Russell Wilson played great against Washington and he can spread the ball around to different receivers. He's a pass first, run second quarterback and he can also extend the play. The Seahawks love to eat the clock and get huge chunks of yardage and control the game. They're gonna score their points, but can they stop Matt Ryan? With Jones and White being defended, it leaves the middle of the field open for Tony Gonzalez and open up other opportunities.

I have faith in the Falcons that they can finally get the job done. The Falcons offense can score the points, but the way the defense has been playing, I think they can finally get over the hump. They can't give the Seahawks any chances to allow big plays over the middle. I got the Falcons getting over hump and winning this game and hosting the NFC Championship game. Let's find out if they can silence their critics once and for all.

Prediction: Falcons defeat Seahawks

(3) Houston Texans vs (2) New England Patriots

Ok, in their last meeting, Houston got BEAT DOWN 42-14 and this was against a Patriots team that didn't even have Gronkowski. Gronk is back and Houston is in danger of getting blown out again. To avoid getting blown out again, Houston needs to control the clock with the running game and set up the play action pass. If they can run the ball and control the game, they may stand a chance. Schaub has to play better than he did in that last meeting. On the defensive side of the ball, they have to put pressure and get to Tom Brady. In their last game, Brady had his way with the Texans defense all night long and only got sacked once. With Gronk back in the lineup, that just gives him one more weapon to his arsenal.

Playing the Patriots at home in the playoffs is always a challenge, and I don't know if Houston has enough firepower and defense to stop New England. Their defense isn't spectacular, but when they come to play, they show up and make some big plays. They had Watt on lockdown in their last meeting. It's really tough to make a case for Houston to go up and beat the Patriots because their offense is so explosive and their receivers are good at getting themselves open. Their defense has to show up. They can't give up so many big plays like they did last time. They need to jam receivers at the line and disrupt Brady's progression throwing the ball. If they can't do that, Brady will have his way.

I got the Patriots in this one. I stated in earlier blogs that if Houston ran into Denver, or New England, they would get eliminated. Here is Houston's chance to prove everybody wrong and pull off the upset. I'm not picking them though. Tom Brady and New England advance to face Peyton Manning in Denver for the AFC Championship.

Prediction: Patriots defeat Texans


There you have it. Hopefully, my picks for the Divisional Round are better than my Wild Card picks. If these picks go the way I think, it sets up a great Championship Sunday.

Once again, your opinion and feedback is welcome. Feel free to Comment.