(13-3) Denver Broncos 33-21 Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
The Denver Broncos will be playing their first game of the playoffs today. They are the one seed in the AFC and had a first round bye. The Ravens travel to Denver to play the Broncos after defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Baltimore last week.
My mind is made up. I'm taking the Denver Broncos. They are a complete team and have future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning running their offense. Manning had 4,659 passing yards, 37 passing touchdowns, and a 105.8 passer rating this season. And for once in Manning's career, he has a strong defense on his side. Manning never had a truly good defense with the Colts during his 14 season stint with the Indianapolis franchise. This year is a different story. The Broncos defense ranks in defensive yards allowed per game, and third in both passing and rushing yards allowed per game.
On the other side of the ball, the Ravens are a strong team. They also have future Hall of Famers on their side in linebacker Ray Lewis and free safety Ed Reed. The Ravens are known for their defense and have a strong offense but this is the Broncos year. They're too good and, in my mind, Peyton is destined for at least one more Super Bowl (Super Bowl Pick Alert: I'm predicting the Broncos represent the AFC in the Super Bowl AND that they'll win it all).
The Denver Broncos will be playing their first game of the playoffs today. They are the one seed in the AFC and had a first round bye. The Ravens travel to Denver to play the Broncos after defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Baltimore last week.
My mind is made up. I'm taking the Denver Broncos. They are a complete team and have future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning running their offense. Manning had 4,659 passing yards, 37 passing touchdowns, and a 105.8 passer rating this season. And for once in Manning's career, he has a strong defense on his side. Manning never had a truly good defense with the Colts during his 14 season stint with the Indianapolis franchise. This year is a different story. The Broncos defense ranks in defensive yards allowed per game, and third in both passing and rushing yards allowed per game.
On the other side of the ball, the Ravens are a strong team. They also have future Hall of Famers on their side in linebacker Ray Lewis and free safety Ed Reed. The Ravens are known for their defense and have a strong offense but this is the Broncos year. They're too good and, in my mind, Peyton is destined for at least one more Super Bowl (Super Bowl Pick Alert: I'm predicting the Broncos represent the AFC in the Super Bowl AND that they'll win it all).
(11-1-4) San Francisco 49ers 28-18 Green Bay Packers (11-5)
These two teams last meet in week one of this season. The 49ers prevailed 30-22 in Green Bay. Different from that game, the 49ers are hosting and Colin Kaepernick is the starting quarterback for San Francisco.
I am taking the 49ers in this one. They are still the same team that they were last year. They play great, tough defensive football as they rank 3rd overall in defense in the NFL. They rank fourth in passing and rushing defense.
Offensively, they have the fourth best rushing attack highlighted by running back Frank Gore. They may have the 23rd best passing attack in the NFL, but at any moment they can be deadly through the air. Colin Kaepernick gives the 49ers a deep ball and running threat. To catch the ball for the Niners are electric wide receivers in Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss, and Mario Manningham and tight end Vernon Davis.
The Packers have had a great season and Aaron Rodgers has had another great season, but the 49ers will be too much at home. The Packers have no rushing attack as they rank 20th in the NFL. Being so, Aaron Rodgers will be forced to throw the ball more and the 49ers will know what to expect and how to react defensively.
These two teams last meet in week one of this season. The 49ers prevailed 30-22 in Green Bay. Different from that game, the 49ers are hosting and Colin Kaepernick is the starting quarterback for San Francisco.
I am taking the 49ers in this one. They are still the same team that they were last year. They play great, tough defensive football as they rank 3rd overall in defense in the NFL. They rank fourth in passing and rushing defense.
Offensively, they have the fourth best rushing attack highlighted by running back Frank Gore. They may have the 23rd best passing attack in the NFL, but at any moment they can be deadly through the air. Colin Kaepernick gives the 49ers a deep ball and running threat. To catch the ball for the Niners are electric wide receivers in Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss, and Mario Manningham and tight end Vernon Davis.
The Packers have had a great season and Aaron Rodgers has had another great season, but the 49ers will be too much at home. The Packers have no rushing attack as they rank 20th in the NFL. Being so, Aaron Rodgers will be forced to throw the ball more and the 49ers will know what to expect and how to react defensively.
(13-3) Atlanta Falcons 38-24 Settle Seahawks (11-5)
This will be a battle of two balanced, well-rounded teams. This game will be indoors at Atlanta's Georgia Dome.
I believe the Falcons will win this matchup. I think it is finally time for them to get that elusive playoff win. Matt Ryan has stepped up his game this year and his receivers are more dangerous than ever. Rhoddy White, Julio Jones, and future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez will be tough match-ups for the Seahawks defense. 6'4" and 6'3" cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman may be able to contain White and Jones, but who will cover Tony Gonzalez? Gonzalez will be key for the Falcons offense in this game.
Offensively, the Seahawks do have rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch who have both had great seasons. Wilson has thrown for 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns, and a 100 passer rating. Lynch has rushed for nearly 1,600 yards. Defensively, they rank fourth best in the league and are highlighted by their "Legion of Boom" secondary unit: Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor.
I feel the Seahawks were lucky that Robert Griffin III had only one leg last week and that the Redskins defense fell apart. The Seahawks were lost until Griffin tweaked his knee late in the first quarter. Add that to a very impressive Falcons team and it will result in an Atlanta victory.
This will be a battle of two balanced, well-rounded teams. This game will be indoors at Atlanta's Georgia Dome.
I believe the Falcons will win this matchup. I think it is finally time for them to get that elusive playoff win. Matt Ryan has stepped up his game this year and his receivers are more dangerous than ever. Rhoddy White, Julio Jones, and future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez will be tough match-ups for the Seahawks defense. 6'4" and 6'3" cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman may be able to contain White and Jones, but who will cover Tony Gonzalez? Gonzalez will be key for the Falcons offense in this game.
Offensively, the Seahawks do have rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch who have both had great seasons. Wilson has thrown for 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns, and a 100 passer rating. Lynch has rushed for nearly 1,600 yards. Defensively, they rank fourth best in the league and are highlighted by their "Legion of Boom" secondary unit: Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor.
I feel the Seahawks were lucky that Robert Griffin III had only one leg last week and that the Redskins defense fell apart. The Seahawks were lost until Griffin tweaked his knee late in the first quarter. Add that to a very impressive Falcons team and it will result in an Atlanta victory.
(12-4) New England Patriots 35-20 Houston Texans (12-4)
In a meeting earlier this season in Foxborough, the Patriots trounced the Texans 42-14. I feel it will be closer this game, but the end result will still be the same.
The Patriots have the number one offense in the NFL. They rank fourth in passing and seventh in rushing. Yes, seventh! Tom Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and has a great arsenal of receivers. HIs repertoire of targets include Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Deion Branch, Brandon Lloyd, and Julian Edelman. And the Patriots have a very good run game this season to compliment Brady. Usually the Patriots run game is overshadowed by the passing attack. This year's rush attack is highlighted by running backs Steven Ridley, Danny Woodhead and Brandon Bolden.
The Texans had a tough time handling the Patriots in the first meeting this season. Even though their defense is ranked seventh in the league, the Patriots are a matchup nightmare. The Texans secondary has struggled a little bit here and there this season, and J.J. Watt can't do it all by himself. I think the Patriots offense will be too much for the Texans and that the Texans' offense isn't explosive enough to keep up with Brady. The Patriots have averaged 31.75 points per game in their last four games, and the Texans have averaged 17.5 points per game.
The Texans are a good, well-rounded team but the Patriots are a juggernaut.
In a meeting earlier this season in Foxborough, the Patriots trounced the Texans 42-14. I feel it will be closer this game, but the end result will still be the same.
The Patriots have the number one offense in the NFL. They rank fourth in passing and seventh in rushing. Yes, seventh! Tom Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and has a great arsenal of receivers. HIs repertoire of targets include Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Deion Branch, Brandon Lloyd, and Julian Edelman. And the Patriots have a very good run game this season to compliment Brady. Usually the Patriots run game is overshadowed by the passing attack. This year's rush attack is highlighted by running backs Steven Ridley, Danny Woodhead and Brandon Bolden.
The Texans had a tough time handling the Patriots in the first meeting this season. Even though their defense is ranked seventh in the league, the Patriots are a matchup nightmare. The Texans secondary has struggled a little bit here and there this season, and J.J. Watt can't do it all by himself. I think the Patriots offense will be too much for the Texans and that the Texans' offense isn't explosive enough to keep up with Brady. The Patriots have averaged 31.75 points per game in their last four games, and the Texans have averaged 17.5 points per game.
The Texans are a good, well-rounded team but the Patriots are a juggernaut.