Friday, January 11, 2013

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

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