The NFL Postseason

Quite possibly the greatest postseason in all of sports is finally here. The 2014 NFL Playoffs begin this Saturday. The Broncos, Patriots, Seahawks, and Panthers await their opponents as Wild Card Weekend kicks off with 4 great games!

Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts

Saturday, 4:35 p.m., NBC

The Kansas City Chiefs are clearly not the same team that started the season 9-0 by playing fantastic defense and playing mistake free ball on offense. But since their first run in with Peyton Manning, The Chiefs have been #6 in points per game, but are still Top 5 opponents points per game. I'm looking back to the last meeting just a couple weeks ago when the Colts blew Kansas City out of their stadium, even though Jamaal Charles still had 100 yards rushing and the lone TD for the Chiefs. The Colts defense came up big. Their pass rush was relentless, they played the pass so well, and they were efficient on offense. And now, the Chiefs put their great season on the line, on the road to Indianapolis. 

Lucas Oil, very quietly, has become a tough place to play. The Colts defensive energy is through the roof. They'll be on their game. What it comes down to is which defense shows up. Alex Smith only had 153 yards in their last meeting. The Colts pass rush has gradually gotten better with each passing game led by Mathis and if they bring consistent pressure and defend the pass as well as they did in their last meeting, the Colts should have this one easy. The Chiefs get Justin Houston back and the pass rush will  be as good as it was in the beginning of the season, and I'm sure we all know how poor the Colts Offensive line is. If that Chiefs pass rush is consistent, then Luck will be on his back the whole game and incapable of producing some offense.

Speaking of offense, how will both offenses fare? Alex Smith is underrated in my eyes. He's become more mobile, he makes good throws, and plays not to lose. But that Colts pass defense shut him down last meeting. The offense can't run just through Jamaal Charles. Smith needs to take more chances and get the ball to Bowe early and often. I don't see the Colts defense shutting him down this time. He'll make his throws, but it'll be up to the Colts defense to bend, and not break. If Luck's offensive line can keep him upright, he can spread the ball around. Hilton and Fleener are already main targets, Donald Brown has been a very effective back, but it'll be interesting to see how they implement the rookies (Whalen, Rogers, Brazil) into the game plan. I've been impressed with Whalen, and I can see him having a big game if KC comes prepared and attempts to contain Hilton's big play ability. 

A LOT of people are sleeping on the Colts. I'm not too sure I can trust Kansas City's offense to be consistent in ball production against this sort of pass defense that plays 10x as good in front of their home crowd. The Colts offense have struggled to find their stride, but I believe they've found it. At Home, I don't think the Colts lose this one. This is where the Chiefs get off.

Prediction: Colts defeat Chiefs

New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles

Saturday, 8:10 p.m., NBC

A very interesting game indeed. You have the Saints, a team that was close to having a 1st round bye, find themselves at the #6 seed and you have the Eagles; a team that started slow and have turned into an impressive offensive unit. Nobody is doubting the Saints ability to put up points and move the ball, spread the field, etc. But the Eagles defense has been playing very well, making stops, generating pressure, and causing turnovers.

The Saints defense has played well this season, they have been exposed on a number of occasions. The Saints need to control the line of scrimmage. Get to Foles, pressure him, make him uncomfortable in the pocket and force him into bad throws and disrupt the overall offensive rhythm. If there's no pressure, Foles will connect with those weapons. Desean, Cooper, Celek, and even the rookie Ertz has come alive. Not to mention, if they can't stop Lesean McCoy, the game is already over. But as solid as the Saints pass rush has been, it'll be interesting to see.

The Saints offense is clearly a passing attack. Their running game has flashes of brilliance, but they're a pass first team that loves to get their backs involved in dump offs and screen plays. The Saints are probably the best team in the league at running those screen passes. They love to work the middle of the field and with all those weapons, it'll be hard for the Eagles secondary to matchup against Colston, and they can try to contain Jimmy Graham. The whole offense is a tough matchup. But, taking a page from St. Louis, and Carolina, bring the pressure, get to Brees, shut down those screen plays, and make Brees hold onto the ball longer than he has to. Brees will get his yards and the Saints will get their points. The Eagles secondary isn't at Seattle level. 

The Eagles are pretty much one of, if not, the hottest teams coming into these playoffs. Playing at Home behind an offense that's averaging 27.6 points per game and defense that's gotten better week after week. The Saints are a completely different team outside of their Dome. Brees is 0-3 in road playoff games. The Saints at Home, 34.0 points per game, on the road….17.8. I'm not saying the Eagles are a better team, but the Saints are not the offensive juggernaut away from Home. I'll take the Home team.

Prediction: Eagles defeat Saints

San Diego Chargers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday, 1:05 p.m., CBS

The Bengals, for some reason, haven't convinced anybody that they're legit contenders, but San Diego almost got beat by Kansas City's second string. But seriously, earlier in the season, the Bengals held the Chargers to a season low 10 points in their own stadium. The Bengals are a team that, even though lost its 2 best defensive players, are still ranked #3 in total defense. 

The Chargers offense is scary, not going to lie. Ryan Matthews has run the ball very well this season, following his blockers, picking up those tough yards, etc. Then we've got Rivers and Co. Rivers still leads the league in completion% and is still playing at a high level. Keenan Allen has become a major threat offensively, not to mention how they use Woodhead in the slot game and Gates as a viable clutch option. So many weapons on that offense and if there's no consistent pass rush, Rivers will pick apart the defense and find those receivers and make the big plays.

But here's the thing, as much flack as people give Dalton and that offense, people ignore the main reason, the Bengals are undefeated at Home…. that Defense. They average almost 3 turnovers per game. They had 3 against Baltimore, remember the 31 points they scored in a quarter against Cleveland? I could go on. The offense may not produce as well, but the way that defense plays at Home is scary. Their pass rush and ability to force turnovers is hard to compete against. It's what they do. Dalton threw 4 picks last Sunday and Cincy still won by double digits. San Diego has a habit of being all about offense, but coming up short on the defensive side of the ball. Dalton has AJ, Jones, Sanu, Gresham, Eifert, etc. but that offense needs to be more consistent. If San Diego ends up throwing all over Cincy and goes up by double digits, can Dalton lead that offense back?

The Chargers are going to struggle moving the ball early. Cincy's defense is extremely strong at Home. San Diego's offense may be hot and if this was in San Diego, I'd give it to the Chargers. But the Bengals are undefeated in The Jungle. That crowd and that defense, will be too much for Rivers to handle. I actually expect Dalton to produce and quiet down some of his critics. I take the Bengals to win this one and for Marvin Lewis to FINALLY get that first playoff win. 5th time has to be the charm, right?

Prediction: Bengals defeat Chargers

 

San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers

Sunday, 4:40 p.m., FOX

I had to think long and hard about this one. Two great teams going at it in Lambeau Field. The Niners have the defense, and the Packers have the offense. When these teams met in Week 1, Kaepernick had 412 yards passing. I really don't think that'll happen again, I'm not even factoring in the weather because both of these teams are capable of playing in this weather.

I'm a fan of Kaepernick, no doubt. Last season, he snuck up on a lot of teams. This season….not so much. He's been exposed quite a bit. Take the Carolina game for example. Kaepernick is a decent pocket passer with a great arm. His running and ability to make plays outside the pocket is what makes him so dangerous. If you pressure him, take away his ability to run and make plays outside the pocket with his feet and make him beat you from the pocket, I don't think it can be done. Carolina held him to 91 yards passing. Green Bay doesn't have the kind of defense Carolina has, but I'm sure they've addressed this in practice and know that if he can't beat you from the pocket, he'll do it with his legs. Remember the playoff game from last season when Kaep had 181 yards rushing? Does Green Bay have the defense to contain Kaep and that offense. Boldin has become a clutch, big time receiver. If Boldin gets taken out of the offense, Kaep has to look to Vernon, Crabtree, etc. to carry the load.

Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers back and we saw just how much he changes the Packers offense. Rodgers can throw people open, has some great zip on the balls he throws, and is accurate on the run. Now, he's got Jordy and Cobb back and that offense is dangerous. Not to mention, Lacy is running like a tank out there. The Packers will need to come up with ways to get Lacy involved to make a dent in San Fran's 4th ranked rush defense. The Packers receivers match up well with these Niners' corners and  can get open if Rodgers has the time. The Niners won't shut down the Packers offense, they can only hope to contain it. 

It'll be hard for Green Bay to stop San Fran's offense. Their defense isn't spectacular. They're going to have a hard time containing Kaepernick and keeping guys like Boldin for making catches that move the chains. The Niners defense is a lot more physical and aggressive and Green Bay will struggle to move the ball at first, but once they get it going, it's hard to keep that offense down. I don't think Kaep will rush for 181 yards, nor do I think he'll throw for 412 yards again. But I see Green Bay making more plays and taking advantage of favorable match ups against the Niners secondary. I'm gonna give the game to Green Bay.

Prediction: Packers defeat 49ers

I've got all 4 Home teams winning. That hasn't happened since 2011. Should be an exciting weekend indeed. Enjoy The Games!



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By: Gerald "Showstopper" Prophete