Conference Championships Recap

The 49ers celebrate as the clock reads 0:00, heading to the Super
Bowl for the first time since January of 1995.

San Francisco 49ers 28 Atlanta Falcons 24

The Falcons were singing the same tune as last week, when they gave up a 20 point lead to the Seattle Seahawks. However, this time, the Falcons blew a 17 point lead but found themselves in a position to take the lead late. Falcons' QB Matt Ryan has shown throughout his career the ability to get his team into field goal range down the stretch. However, he hasn't shown the ability to get his team into the end zone. Down four, that's what they needed and Ryan once again showed he can't deliver in crunch time. This is a disastrous loss for a team who has constantly failed in the playoffs despite a solid regular season showing. Many people had the Falcons as underdogs, and it was their time to show that they weren't overrated. I guess they're overrated. 49ers' QB Colin Kaepernick is proving that he is a solid pocket passer. Kaepernick only had one rushing attempt, which came on a designed pass play when he took off after finding no one open. Many will compare him to Washington Redskins' QB Robert Griffin III. Kaepernick and Seahawks' QB Russell Wilson have proven to be much better pocket passers than Griffin III. Kaepernick will be a handful in the New Orleans.

Ravens' LB Ray Lewis will have one last shot to win a second
championship.

Baltimore Ravens 28 New England Patriots 13

Just like in the NFC Championship Game, you got the impression that the home team would come away with the victory and head to New Orleans. The Patriots mismanaged the final 20 seconds of the first half, so they had to settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown. That made it a 13-7 halftime score. In the second half, it appeared the Patriots had opportunities to sustain long drives and add to their point total. However, drops and ineffective running in the run game gave an opening to the Ravens, and the Ravens took advantage. Two of their touchdown scores came off of long drives, and the Patriots decided to go for it on 4th and 4 down 28-13 instead of taking the field goal. The Patriots didn't sniff scoring again and were left stunned. The Patriots haven't won a Super Bowl in nearly 10 years. Their aura of invincibility has long disappeared. It's time to start giving some credit to Ravens' QB Joe Flacco. The Ravens' defense has played much better in the postseason, but Flacco has actually helped the Ravens get to Super Bowl XLVII. The Harbaugh brothers will meet in New Orleans, so expect this Super Bowl to be the highest rated Super Bowl ever. There will be plenty of story lines leading up to the game. Let's not forget about LB Ray Lewis's retirement.

Conference Championship Preview

49ers' LB Patrick Willis looks to advance to the Super Bowl.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons
FOX -- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
Sunday January 20, 2013 3pm

This game reminds me of the 2005 NFC Championship Game between the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks. Going into the game, many people believed the Panthers were destined to get back to the Super Bowl as they looked very impressive in their two playoff wins on the road against the Chicago Bears and New York Giants. Many people believed the Seahawks weren't for real, despite a 13-3 record and the conference's top seed. However, the Seahawks rolled the Panthers early and often and went on to play in Super Bowl XL. The point of bringing up this game is for the 49ers. They have to beware of the hype surrounding their team. Even though they're on the road, they are the favorites to win this game. The Falcons are not getting any kind of respect, so I will not be surprised if they look very sharp early and jump on top of the 49ers. I think the 49ers are ready. Their appearance in the NFC Championship Game last year still stings.

San Francisco 49ers 31 Atlanta Falcons 24

Things got heated between Patriots' QB Tom Brady and Ravens' LB
Ray Lewis in last year's AFC Championship Game. 

Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots
CBS -- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Sunday January 20, 2013 6:30pm

This is a rematch of last year's game, but I'm still trying to figure out how the Ravens are even in this game to begin with. Last week, the Broncos had the game wrapped up until S Rahim Moore decided to act a fool and forget how to play his position. However, that's in the past. The Ravens' defense always provided challenges for Patriots' QB Tom Brady. However, I continue to have my doubts with Ravens' QB Joe Flacco. Many people love to point out he's won a playoff game in each season of his career. However, when you look at each playoff game he's played, he hasn't played well. His best playoff game was in last year's AFC Championship Game, so that gives the Ravens hope that he can duplicate last year's performance. The Patriots also haven't won a Super Bowl since the 2004 season. I bet they are hungry to finally get another one.

Baltimore Ravens 20 New England Patriots 30

Divisional Weekend Recap

Ravens K Justin Tucker kicks the game-winning field
goal.

Baltimore Ravens 38 Denver Broncos 35 OT

Many people will look at this game as more evidence that Broncos' QB Peyton Manning can't win the games that matter the most. Manning threw an interception in overtime to give the Ravens good field position. That's when they were able to end it. However, the most blame rests solely on the shoulders of S Rahim Moore. With the Broncos up 35-28 with the Ravens having little hope, Ravens' QB Joe Flacco just chucked the ball down the field and probably didn't believe himself that it would be caught. For Moore to not be back there and in position to at least make a tackle if WR Jacoby Jones catches it is inexcusable. I'd be so heated if I were the general manager, I'd probably cut Moore the next morning.

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick abused the Packers' defense all night.

Green Bay Packers 31 San Francisco 49ers 45

Going into this game, I knew the biggest concern would be the performance of QB Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick made a lot of 49ers' fans upset and nervous when he threw that interception to CB Sam Shields that was returned for a touchdown. He quickly atoned for that as he abused the Packers' defense all night. The Packers had no answer for him throwing the football or running it. However, it should be noted that Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers continues to struggle once playing from behind. While Rodgers has done a lot in his career so far, he has not shown the ability to bring his team from deficits in crucial moments.

Falcons K Matt Bryant celebrates after kicking the game-winning
field goal.

Seattle Seahawks 28 Atlanta Falcons 30

When the Falcons went up 20-0, my thought was the Seahawks are a young team and they'll learn from this experience. However, when rookie QB Russell Wilson led them all the way back and gave the Seahawks the lead, it quickly told me who the best rookie quarterback was. Wilson was an average quarterback through the first eight games of his career. However, he has been the definition of getting better with experience. He has gotten much better and more composed leading the Seahawks' offense, and the Seahawks have a lot to look forward to in the future. On another note, it was said that Falcons' CB Asante Samuel was saying after the game the Seahawks are eating humble pie. It's a tragedy anyone from the defense is talking considering the huge lead they gave up.

Texans S Danieal Manning almost started the game with a kick
return for a touchdown.

Houston Texans 28 New England Patriots 41

The Texans were ready to prove they weren't as bad as what they showed last month in Gillette Stadium. I don't think they succeeded. The score looks closer and competitive than what it really was. The Texans never really had a chance in the second half as their predictable offense was being limited by the Patriots' defense. Furthermore, the offense for the Patriots were putting quality drives together and closing the door on the thought that the Texans could actually compete. This sets up a rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game, which the Patriots very easily could've lost. Let's see this time around.

Divisional Round Preview

Broncos' CB Chris Harris returns an interception for a touchdown
in the teams' regular season meeting.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos
CBS -- Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
Saturday January 12, 2013 4:30pm

NFL legends will be colliding in this game, as Broncos QB Peyton Manning will go up against the retiring LB Ray Lewis. We remember what the Broncos did to the Ravens last month in Baltimore. I don't expect much to be different because Ravens QB Joe Flacco simply cannot be trusted to make any plays. Even though Flacco has won playoff games in each year of his career, the only good game he's ever had in the postseason was in last year's AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots. Flacco won't be enough for the Ravens' offense to get over the Broncos' offense.

Baltimore Ravens 17 Denver Broncos 31

Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers looks to throw over
49ers' LB Navorro Bowman in the regular season.

Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers
FOX -- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
Saturday January 12, 2013 8pm

This is easily the best game of Divisional Weekend. I believe both teams are even, but have different strengths to bring to the table. It's going to be important for the Packers to get off to a good start. Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers is an excellent quarterback, but he has not shown he can rise when being knocked down early. The 49ers did that to the Packers in Week 1 and the Packers never recovered. The 49ers will look to start off well. This will be a great battle.

Green Bay Packers 31 San Francisco 49ers 34

Falcons' WR Roddy White will look to have a big game and
carry the Falcons further into the playoffs.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons
FOX -- Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick
Sunday January 13, 2013 1pm

This is a game that can go either way, but the Falcons are probably not getting the respect they deserve. In the past three postseason exits for the Falcons, they lost to teams that eventually made it to the Super Bowl, and the Cardinals were the only team out of the three that didn't win it. The Falcons have a manageable opponent now. Seahawks' QB Russell Wilson is good, but so is the Falcons' defense. Wilson is also a rookie, so the Falcons will definitely be imploring the crowd to get as loud as possible. This will be a good one.

Seattle Seahawks 17 Atlanta Falcons 24

The Texans will need a heavy dose of RB Arian Foster if they
want to win this game.

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
CBS -- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Sunday January 13, 2013 4:30pm

The last time the Texans played in Foxboro, they were routed by the Patriots. However, the Patriots have been in this position before, and they were on the losing end in the playoffs. Back in the 2010 season, the Patriots routed the Jets 45-3. When the two teams met again in the Divisional Round however, the Jets were in payback mode, beating the Patriots in Foxboro to advance to the AFC Championship Game. The Texans should attempt to learn a lot from that as possible. The Texans will play better than they did last month. They simply just aren't good enough, however.

Houston Texans 20 New England Patriots 38

Wild Card Recap

Texans' QB Matt Schaub with head coach Gary Kubiak.

Cincinnati Bengals 13 Houston Texans 19

This was an uneventful playoff game for the most part, but we can't look past the fact that the Texans' defense dominated the Bengals' offense for the second consecutive postseason. Bengals' QB Andy Dalton had a real tough time completing any passes, and it didn't help that he didn't look at WR A.J. Green's side many times in the first half. Texans' RB Arian Foster got the job done on the ground once again, going for over 100 yards in all three playoff games. QB Matt Schaub was efficient but he threw a bad interception, that was returned for a touchdown. I expect this to be the last hurrah for the Texans.

Vikings' QB Joe Webb didn't come close to competing against
Packers.

Minnesota Vikings 10 Green Bay Packers 24

It was greatly overblown how unprepared the Packers were to play against Vikings' QB Joe Webb. Starter QB Christian Ponder was ruled inactive a couple of hours before the game, so Webb had to take over. Since the Packers' defense gameplanned for Ponder all week, the switch was seen as a disadvantage to the Packers. You still have to know how to play quarterback. As DL B.J. Raji said about Webb, there's a reason he isn't a starter in this league. Webb didn't come close to putting up any kind of fight as the Packers easily handled business. Now here comes the best playoff game, the Packers at Candlestick to face the San Francisco 49ers.

Ravens' LB says goodbye one final time to the home crowd.

Indianapolis Colts 9 Baltimore Ravens 24

Going into this game, I thought the Colts had a good chance of winning this game, as I have not found a reason to trust Ravens' QB Joe Flacco. Both teams blew opportunities to create some distance early, but that came back to haunt the Colts later. A lot of dropped passes from Colts' receivers certainly hurt them as well. Ravens' LB Ray Lewis plays his final home game, and will most likely play his final game period next week.

Postgame exchange between Seahawks' CB Richard Sherman
and Redskins OL Trent Williams didn't go well.

Seattle Seahawks 24 Washington Redskins 14

I was stunned when the Redskins were having their way with the Seahawks' defense, jumping out to an early 14-0 lead. However, Redskins' QB Robert Griffin III showed that he really isn't as good of a pocket passer as he is running the football. Once the threat of running was eliminated by his knee issues, Griffin III couldn't complete a pass to save his life. The Seahawks jumped on that and scored 24 unanswered to win the game. Next week is a matchup in the Georgia Dome with the Atlanta Falcons. This should be interesting.

Previewing Wild Card Weekend

The Bengals and Texans will square off in the Wild Card round
for the second consecutive season.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans
NBC -- Dan Hicks, Mike Mayock
Saturday January 5, 2013 4:30pm

This is a rematch of last year's Wild Card matchup between the two, and there isn't much reason to think there will be a different outcome. The Texans, who have faltered down the stretch, are lucky to be playing the Bengals. The Bengals have a nice solid defense, with CB Leon Hall, DE Geno Atkins and rookie LB Vontaze Burfict. However, QB Andy Dalton just isn't good enough yet. He has solid weapons around him in WR A.J. Green and TE Jermaine Gresham, but Dalton won't get it done against the Texans' defense. This is also the playoff debut for QB Matt Schaub as the starter. He was the backup in Atlanta when they were making the playoffs, and he was injured last season when they competed in the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals 10 Houston Texans 27

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson will try to continue to rack up
yards against the Packers.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers
NBC -- Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth
Saturday January 5, 2013 8pm

Considering Vikings' RB Adrian Peterson almost broke the single season rushing record against the Packers, many would think the Packers will put their angry faces on and defend the run much better tomorrow. Simply put, the Packers' defense isn't good enough to stop him, but Peterson is all the Vikings have. WR Percy Harvin is also a big threat, but QB Christian Ponder has to get the ball in his hands and he'll most likely struggle. If the Packers win this, they'll travel to Candlestick Park next week to face the San Francisco 49ers. That is a big game.

Minnesota Vikings 14 Green Bay Packers 31

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has been through
a lot this year but will try to beat his former team.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens
CBS -- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Sunday January 6, 2013 1pm

The Ravens are now playing for LB Ray Lewis, as he told the team and announced that this season would be his last. The Ravens will come out extra motivated to try and get Lewis one more ring. However, that doesn't mean the Colts will lay low for the Ravens. The Colts are good enough to beat this team, as QB Joe Flacco doesn't pose a threat to many defenses. If QB Andrew Luck has his way with the Ravens' defense, which is certainly possible, this will be an upset. The Ravens should've lost to the Texans last year in the Divisional Round, if the Texans had Schaub instead of QB T.J. Yates.

Indianapolis Colts 23 Baltimore Ravens 20

These two rookie quarterbacks will go at it in the playoff game
to watch on Sunday.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins
FOX -- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
Sunday January 6, 2013 4:30pm

Many people believe the Redskins are the most dangerous team heading into the postseason. Actually, the most dangerous team is the visiting team in this one. The Seahawks have manhandled opponents as of late, so it's hard to think this Redskins team can beat them. The Redskins will need a heavy dose of QB Robert Griffin III because his receivers will be shut down by CB Brandon Browner and CB Richard Sherman. Browner returns from his suspension in this game, so he may be rusty. The key to this game will come down to what QB Russell Wilson can do. I think he'll do just fine.

Seattle Seahawks 24 Washington Redskins 13