NFL Divisional Round Playoff Predictions
This is not a time of year that I’m used to my team still being around, but in the case of both Jesse and I, I think our teams have a chance to go in and upset the top seeded teams in our respective conferences.
Jesse’s Giants are red hot right now, facing a Green Bay Packers team that barely skipped a beat when Matt Flynn took over as the quarterback in week 17.
My Broncos are getting ready for their second battle with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, a team that beat the Broncos earlier this season on Denver’s home field.
There are some other intriguing matchups this weekend, specifically the matchup taking place in San Francisco with arguably the best defense in the conference (SF) and the best offense (NO).
The Houston Texans will also try and beat the Baltimore Ravens on their home field, something that has not been done so far this season, as Baltimore is 8-0 on their home field.
Now, on to the predictions.
New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers
Saturday, 4:30PM ET
This promises to be an entertaining game, one that I think could be dominated by the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees is playing out of his mind right now, and the Saints are making plays across the board. What the Niners did this regular season cannot be discounted. They had a dominant defense and only gave up one rushing touchdown all year, a scramble by–Kellen Clemens?
I think New Orleans’ offense is just too good to not win this game, especially with their experience advantage. I think the Niners will make it tough, and certainly give them a chance to win the game, but New Orleans could make the best defense in the league look pretty below average right now.
PREDICTION: New Orleans Saints
Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
Saturday, 8:00PM ET
The Denver Broncos had a nice looking lead on the Patriots the last time these two teams played, and when Denver had the ball offensively, they pretty much had their way. That is, until Denver started turning the ball over. The Patriots ended Denver’s six game winning streak in impressive fashion on the road, and the Broncos defense couldn’t keep up with all the turnovers from the offense.
I expect the Broncos to be much better offensively this game in terms of taking care of the ball than they were the last time these two teams played. If Denver can win the turnover battle, they can beat New England on the road.
PREDICTION: Denver Broncos
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, 1PM ET
The Texans are coming off of a huge win in their first ever playoff game, but the Baltimore Ravens are going to be ready. They will force T.J. Yates to beat them, and if that happens, I don’t know how well Houston will fare.
I think the Texans will be in this game because of their defense, but I have to give the edge to the home team in this one. Houston has been a great story all year long, and they have some of the best coaching in the NFL. If they can pull off the upset here, something magical is going on.
PREDICTION: Baltimore Ravens
New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 4:30PM ET
The Giants are one of the hottest teams in the league right now, and unfortunately for them, so is Green Bay, even when Aaron Rodgers doesn’t play. This Green Bay team is not one that I could see getting beat in their first matchup a few weeks ago, but seeing their defense give up so many points is cause for concern, and New York’s defense is going to come to play.
I think this will be a very, very close game, and I definitely think you’ll see these two Super Bowl quarterbacks have to make plays in the end. If the Giants can get pressure on Rodgers, they have more than a shot to win this game.
PREDICTION: Green Bay Packers
If the predictions fall into place this way, here is what the matchups would look like for the AFC and NFC Championship games:
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens, January 22nd, 3PM ET on CBS
New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers, January 22nd, 6:30PM ET on FOX