Finally after four teams long journey, they're just one win away from the SuperBowl. If you're a fan of football in general, you really can't deny that these are undoubtedly going to be two of the best Championship games in recent memory. Obviously, if you're a fan of a certain team and they didn't make it this far you'll be less interested, but you can't deny that this year the four best teams really do remain. Believe it or not, that's actually a very rare occurrence in the NFL.
Think about last years playoffs. Denver (the #1 seed in the AFC) was out in their first playoff game and the #4 seeded Ravens ended up winning it all. Was Baltimore the best team in the NFL that year? I don't think so. I think they got hot at the right time and ended the year strong. Think about the year before that. Green Bay went 15 - 1 and lost to the 9-7 Giants in the first round of the playoffs who eventually went on to win the Superbowl. The year before that Green Bay got in on a wild card spot and ended up winning the Superbowl. I could go on, but I won't because my hands are starting to cramp up.
Yes, I know that the 49ers were a wild card team, but you have to understand that they're a different team than any of those other teams I just talked about. First of all, it's pretty rare to go 12-4 and not win your division. Secondly, can you name 1 other division winner this year who is an all around better team than the Niners? Me neither.
The main point I'm trying to get across is the following:
Watch the games this Sunday. On to the picks:
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
The general rule of picking playoff games is that you always go with who's hot at the moment, not who was hot during the season. The 49ers are playing some of their best football right now in the playoffs which is a recipe for another Superbowl appearance and only one thing stands in the way of that. Unfortunately for them that thing standing in the way is the Seattle Seahawks. I could talk about the previous two games these teams faced each other this season, but in the playoffs, you throw all previous meetings aside. Its a new game and anything can happen. The 49ers are going to need to stop Lynch if they want to win this game. He's burned them several times before and they're going to pull out all the stops to make sure that doesn't happen again. That means a lot of 7 men in the box which also means a lot of 1 on 1 coverage on the outside. I know what Seattle's defense can do against the 49ers at home, so this is going to come down to Russell Wilson against the Niners defense. I think he wont have the best game of his career, but I think he'll make enough plays with his arm and legs for the Seahawks to win a close one at home and head to New York for the Superbowl.
Seahawks 27 - 24
New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos
Manning and Brady square off in what may be their last playoff game they ever play against each other. This is a career making game for either quarterback. Years from now, when we're thinking about who the possible best quarterback of all time was, this game will surely come up. To be honest, the stakes couldn't be higher. Did you know Tom Brady only has a losing record with one team in the NFL. Guess who that team is. That's right, The Denver Broncos. The Broncos are 6 point favorites at home, (which I think is ridiculous by the way) so they should be able to escape Brady and the Pats with an easy win right? Not so fast. Brady has won 11 out of 14 games against Manning and has the best running game he's had in a long time. On the flip side, Manning has the most weapons at receiver he's had in well.... ever. This will be a close game and could go either way, so I have to go with Manning taking over and winning a close one.
Broncos 42 - 38
Crazy week of NFL Playoffs last week eh? Well, maybe not so shocking if you read my picks earlier ;). Haha I had to rub in my 4-0 record so far this post-season... I think the most shocking victory had to be the Chargers not only beating the Bengals, but basically running over them. The only game that wasn't close also happened to be the one that seems to resemble a certain team last year that won the wild-card round and went to Denver to face the Broncos.... I forget, what ended up happening to that team again? ;) Will the Chargers end up pulling off the upset in Denver? Here's my picks:
New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks
The Saints had a very impressive win over the Eagles last week. One thing that surprised me about that game is that for some reason no one really gave them a chance to win. I don't get why not, because as long as they have the Drew Brees and Sean Payton connection, the Saints are capable of beating any team in the league. They're CAPABLE, that doesn't mean they will. They did a good job of bottling up McCoy last week, but this week is a different ball game and I think they'll have a hard time doing the same against Lynch. While McCoy is more of a finesse speed back, Lynch is a power back and I think that the combination of this and the crowd noise will make it very difficult for the Saints on both sides of the ball. I think the Seahawks will jump out to an early lead and Brees will throw a pair of picks trying to get back in it. In the end Seattle leaves going to the NFC Championship.
Seahawks 27 - 20
San Francisco 49ers @ Carolina Panthers
This is one of the most interesting match-ups of the week. Of all the things I could say about this match-up, one thing is for sure: The Panthers would have much rather liked to see the Packers coming to town than the 49ers. The 49ers stack up very well against the Panthers, and now that they have Crabtree back, that pushes them into the favorite category. I think the Panthers have the better defense, but they're lack of offensive weapons will show in this game. Frank Gore won't do much, but he will run just enough to help get Crabtree and Davis open down the field on some play action fakes. Throw all of the regular season struggles for Colin Kaepernick out the window, because in the playoffs, he's a different player. I think Kaepernick and the 49ers put an end to the Panthers impressive season.
49ers 21 - 17
Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots
Of all the games in the Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, this is the toughest one to call. Mainly because not only could it go either way, but either team could potentially blow out the other team. History has told me not to bet against Tom Brady at home, but recent history has told me to not bet against Andrew Luck at all. Eh, I'll just flip a coin and decide who to go with... there, it was heads... dang, I forgot to assign heads to something. Haha more seriously though, I think this is going to come down to Indy's running game. If the Colts can establish a good running game in the first half, much like the Chargers last week, they should be able to come away with the win. If Donald Brown and Trent Richardson get bottled up on every attempt though, the Patriots will cruise past them.
Colts 31 - 27
San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos
This game will be closer than a lot of people (outside of San Diego) are thinking. The Chargers were the only team to beat Denver at home this season and they almost beat them in San Diego too. The Chargers have been playing with a sense of urgency that teams haven't been able to match up against... until now. Philip Rivers is historically an outstanding January quarterback while Peyton Manning has been the opposite to this point. This is essentially a career game for Peyton Manning. He NEEDS to win this game. Expect a heavy dose of Ryan Matthews from the Chargers and expect a lot of 7 men in the box from the Broncos. Denver is going to make the Chargers beat them through the air. Philip Rivers can do it, but in the end, its Denver who has the ball last and they seal a trip to the AFC Championship game with a last second field goal.
Broncos 30 - 28
One thing you have to love and hate about the NFL is how one play can change your entire season. Whether its Jarret Boykin taking in a fumbled ball for a touchdown while the defense stood around or the Refs making another crucial no-call that puts the Chargers into the playoffs and keeps the Steelers out.
No matter what team you're a fan of, (with the possible exception of the Jaguars, Browns, Raiders, and other teams that always suck so the last week doesn't matter) one thing remains constant: Week 17 can be either awesome or it'll suck. For example: Week 17 was awesome for the Packers and it sucked for the Bears. In my opinion, I thought Chicago actually outplayed Green Bay, but in Week 17 one freak play will come back to haunt you for the entire off season. Just how far do the Packers get? Here's my predictions:
NFC Wild Card Round 1
San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers
The rematch from last year that embarrassed one team and made the other look like a superbowl favorite. This time Rodgers will be out for blood and post one of the best games of his already stunning career. Sadly, it won't matter because the Packers defense will give away even more points than Rodgers and the offense will score. Expect a high-scoring close game, but in the end it's the 49ers who come away with the win once again.
49ers 35 - 31
New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles
While the Eagles have been scoring like it's going out of style lately, one thing really scares me about their chances of winning: They almost lost to the Cowboys in week 17. Heck, if Tony Romo is playing in that game, the Eagles are staying home for the Playoffs. I think it's pretty common knowledge that the Saints are a better all around team than the Cowboys. Expect Foles to get sacked at least 4 times and the Saints to come away with a close one.
Saints 30 - 27
San Diego Chargers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Ok, maybe the Chargers did sneak into the playoffs on a missed call by the Refs. And maybe they did post an 9-7 season that had few memorable moments. But I'll say this for the Chargers: They are better than their record shows. Keep in mind this is the only team to beat Denver at home this year. The Chargers have a good defense and quarterback Philip Rivers is having possibly the best season of his career. The Bengals are no slouches in the defensive side of the ball either, so I think this game will come down to one thing: The Quarterbacks. And when it's put that way, I'll take Rivers over Dalton any day.
Chargers 28 - 27
Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts
Its been a heck of a season for both of these teams. The Chiefs were one of this years surprise teams with an 11-5 record after having the worst record of any team in 2012. The Colts on the other hand were looking like one of the AFC's top contenders until Reggie Wayne went out with an injury. Since then, the Colts have had to fight hard to win any game. Both of these teams will have a hard time against any of the teams in the Divisional Round, as far as this match-up is concerned I think the Colts have the upper hand. While the Chiefs defense is one of the best in the league, the Colts defense isn't too far behind. In the end, I think the Colts defense will find a way to stop Jamal Charles, and if they are able to do that, welcome to the divisional round Indy.
Colts 24 - 17
