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| 49ers' QB Colin Kaepernick was harassed and stifled by the Panthers defense the last time these two teams played. |
New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks
Saturday January 11, 2014 4:35pm
FOX -- Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch
I wonder what FOX is doing with their broadcasting lineups. We've usually expected the team of Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa to cover the divisional round game that Joe Buck and Troy Aikman aren't covering. However, last year, they went with Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick in the divisional round game between the Seahawks and Falcons. They were miserable to listen to, but they still aren't going back to the Albert team.
I digress! These two teams played on Monday Night Football in Week 13, and the Saints were spanked. At that time, however, it was thought these two would see each other in the NFC Championship Game, as it was generally thought the Saints would win the NFC South. However, the Saints struggled down the stretch and lost control of the division. The Seahawks should not expect this game to be as easy as it was in Week 13. The Saints are looking at a lot of film from that game, and are probably looking at film of the Cardinals beating the Seahawks in Seattle. That would be wise.
New Orleans Saints 17 Seattle Seahawks 27
Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots
Saturday January 11, 2014 8:15pm
CBS -- Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
The last time these two teams played in the playoffs was the 2006 AFC Championship Game, a game in which the Colts came back from a 21-3 deficit to advance to the Super Bowl. The Colts had Peyton Manning back then. They no longer have him, but they have Andrew Luck now, who engineered a comeback from being down 38-10 just last week. Playing against the Patriots is a different animal, but it's a game the Colts can win. How good is the Patriots' offense without Rob Gronkowski? That'll be the biggest factor in this game for the Patriots.
This will be the final game for Dan Dierdorf, who announced during the season that this season will be his last. Dierdorf has partnered up with Greg Gumbel, Dick Enberg and Verne Lundquist during his time at CBS after leaving ABC's Monday Night Football. It'll be interesting to see what CBS does to replace him.
Indianapolis Colts 20 New England Patriots 34
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers
Sunday January 12, 2014 1:05pm
FOX -- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
These two teams met in Candlestick Park earlier this season, and the Panthers made a statement to the rest of the league in that game. They stifled Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers' offense, holding them without a touchdown and narrowly getting a win. However, the 49ers are hot now, and I'm not convinced the Panthers are playing their best football now. They struggled a little in beating the Jets and Falcons late, so there's opportunities for the 49ers to take advantage of.
I believe the 49ers will take advantage of those opportunities and walk out of Bank of America Stadium with a win. It does help to have Ric Flair on your side as well. Flair is a North Carolina guy, so Steve Smith and the Panthers' community and fans aren't happy about Flair's allegiance to the 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers 16 Carolina Panthers 13
San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
Sunday January 12, 2014 4:40pm
CBS -- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
These two teams played on the final Thursday Night Football game, and the Chargers stunned everyone by beating the Broncos. In the past month, the Chargers have handed the Chiefs their first home loss of the season, the Broncos their first and only home loss of the season, and the Bengals their first and only home loss of the season in last week's playoff game. However, Peyton Manning is never really burned by the same team twice, so the adjustments he makes for this game will go a long way.
The Chargers' defense has improved a lot from where they were earlier in the season. Philip Rivers is completing a lot of his pass attempts, and not turning the ball over either. This game will be close and make Broncos' fans sweat a little. I still believe Manning will get them over the top.
San Diego Chargers 24 Denver Broncos 31
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