AFC Championship - Patriots vs. Ravens

Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots 

Best defense in the AFC against arguably the best offense in all of football square up this weekend in the frosty tundra of New England.  Last week, the Patriots commandingly handled the Denver Broncos seemingly putting the game away in the first half.  Sport fans alike have to believe this is the Patriots year to get back to the promise land.  Disappointing early playoff exits in the last few years and after their devastating loss to the Giants in Superbowl XLII, Brady and Belichick are hungry for another title.

After the Ravens sluggish second half performance against the Texans, an offense that primarily focuses on the run ever since the injury to Shaub. It's hard to envision the veteran Ravens defense shutting down the high flying Pats offense when they look this good.  I was not surprised to see Veteran defensive back Ed Reed call out Joe Flacco on his lack of production.  Even though his words were "he needs to be better".  Well, that's the truth.  Last week Flacco's performance again was sub par, again.  This week, if there is a lapse in the secondary for the Ravens, or on defense at all for that matter Tom Brady is going to make them pay big time.  The Ravens want to make this game a defensive battle, thats the only way they win.  The need to dial up several different blitz packages to get Brady feeling uneasy early (if thats at all possible) and begin to run the ball and keep the Pats offense off the field.

I love the veteran leadership on the Ravens D, so I know they are going to come to play this week.  However, the match ups just do not fit suit.  With the Patriots late season defensive surge and their great offense, its hard to pick against them.  I'm going to be interested in seeing how the purple and black handle Gronkowski over the middle along with Wes in the slot.  No one all year has been able to cover Gronkowski and this certainly wont be a week to slow the record setting TE down.

Patriots advance to Indianapolis and Super Bowl XLVI.  27-17

NFL Divisional Round - Who Wins?

Welcome back everyone, I've taken entirely too much time off from this blog and I feel bad when I look at the amount of views I received in the past month and people always had to read the same thing.  Nevertheless, enjoy sports fans.

New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers

Drew Brees and the best offense in the NFL, against Alex Smith and the resurgent 49ers.  When you break this game down immediately recognize that the 49ers are not a typically high scoring offense.  They win games with their defense and pounding the run game with Frank Gore.   Sorry 49ers fans, but when your passing offense ranks 29th in the league behind the young Alex Smith and your facing one of the best quarterbacks in recent years, its not looking great for you. 

 Another note on the 49ers defense, they run a base 3-4 which could either really hurt them or greatly benefit them depending on their pass rush.  They are going to have to rely heavily on their Lbs to get pressure on Drew Brees or its going to be a long day for that defense.  They must have an efficient pass rush for four quarters and get Brees moving outside the tackles.  If they do that, and don't turn the ball over, they have a shot at winning the game.  They need to stay fresh and shut down the Saints on third down so they can get off the field. 

However, what about the Saints?  Everyone knows about Drew Brees and the phenomenal year he has had but the weak point for the Saints is on the outside on defense.  For the Saints to be effective on defense they have to rush from the outside and pressure Smith.  They already crowd the box with their front seven so stopping Frank Gore should not be a huge challenge.  Bottom line, if this game turns into an offensive shootout, the 49ers stand no chance.  They would not be able to keep up with Brees and the Saints offense and that's exactly what Head Coach Sean Payton wants.  Odds makers have this game very close, not me.  

Saints win  30-14

Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots

I'll be honest, I just cant wait for this game to be over so this talk of Tebow goes away until pre season next year.  However, if you suddenly wake up this off season and miss hearing his name, simply turn on First Take at 10 Eastern and Skip Bayless will be talking about what Tebow had for dinner last night.  Sorry Denver, but you are going to be quite disappointed Saturday evening when the best playoff quarterback in the last ten years welcomes you into his barn where the Patriots are nearly unbeatable. 

Come playoff time, the Patriots win football games and they do it well.  Gillette Stadium has not been friendly to visiting opponents come playoff time.  Since 2004, the Patriots have been hungry for another Superbowl victory.  The once early dynasty of the 2000's slowly faced early playoff exits the last few years.  However, this might be the easiest road to the Superbowl the Patriots have had in the Bill Belichick era.  They are still my favorite to win the AFC and simply put, no stats are needed to define why odds makers have New England as 14.5 point favorites. 

Patriots win 35-20

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

Two words.  Joe Flacco.  Thats going to define whether the Ravens advance to Gilette Stadium next week to play for the AFC Championship.  Flacco has faced a lot of negativity for his poor performances in playoffs the last few years.  Flacco has become the first NFL quarterback in history to take his team to the playoffs his first four years consecutively.  Two more words.  Ray Lewis. Realistically, for the future Hall of Famer this is his last real shot at getting back to the Superbowl.  That Ravens defense is tough to go against in the playoffs, furthermore, even harder to throw against. 

Hats off to my runner up in the Coach of the Year award.  Gary Kubiak.  The Houston Texans have faced serious injuries all year. I credit their coaching staff and leadership for continue to push forward in the AFC South.  This football game Sunday would be completely different if QB Matt Shaub was not on IR for the season.  I think their luck runs out this weekend against the veteran Ravens.  It's not going to be a high scoring game that's for sure, but look for Houston to really try to pound the ball and ride Arian Foster to the AFC Championship game.  Unfortunately, it wont work against the Ravens front seven.  Then, when the Texans try to open up the pass they are going to face even bigger problems with Ed Reed and the Ravens secondary.  Raven's get their last win of the 2011 season.

Ravens win 27-13

New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers

I really am torn with this game.  I love the way the Giants are playing as of late and they look like the Giants who knocked off the 18-0 Patriots just a few years ago.  They are peaking at the right time.  Their defense has been outstanding especially their front four.  Oh, how could I forget about the year Eli Manning has had.  With him in the shotgun the Giants are seriously difficult to defend against.  The coaching staff of the Giants has done a great job of finally mixing in more of the run with their offense to let Bradshaw get loose.  Let me tell you, RUN THE BALL SUNDAY, KEEP AARON RODGERS OFF THE FIELD!  This game is going to be extremely high scoring and the Packers are going to face their toughest opponent this season. 

Again, Aaron Rodgers has the Packers right back in contention for their second straight Superbowl.  But there are a few things I would like to pick out about the new "America's Team".  Number one, their defense.  Yes, I am totally aware they have improved at the late stages of the season.  On the other hand, they still give up an average of 299 yards of passing offense per game.  Number two, their run game, they dont have one. In the playoffs, you need to have a balance.  The Giants know exactly what the Packers are going to do this weekend. 


 I'm picking the Giants to pull the upset this week simply because of their defense.  The Giants have a better chance at getting to Rodgers and pressuring him then the Packers do of getting to Eli.  The Packers run game is nonexistent and game planning against a specifically one way driven offense plays into the hands of the Giants.   Don't make me look stupid Eli.


Giants win 38-35