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| Let's hope the refs don't play a factor in these games |
I'm sure that most people think that the Seahawks will destroy the Saints kinda like the last match-up between these two teams on Week 13. However, most NFL fans know that there is at least one upset in the Divisional Round. Most of us remember the Joe Flacco hail mary that helped bring the Ravens back and beat Peyton Manning and the Broncos. I expect this to be a closer game than week 13. Drew Brees isn't the same QB on the road like he is at home, but I don't think he'll be that bad. Expect to see a similar game that to the Philadelphia game that Brees had, but just a slight bit better. Percy Harvin is expected back for the Seahawks, and I think that he will be a big help to the reason why the Seahawks get a win against the Saints.
Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots
A game that everyone expects to be a blow out just might be a blow out. Each of these teams has lost a lot of it's key members. Most recently, for the Patriots, LB Brandon Spikes. This is key because normally, the game plan would be to go run heavy against the Patriots, but that game plan is not an ideal way to go for the Colts. It's a dilemma for all Colts fans. It's clear that the offense is better when they go Andrew Luck heavy, but will Chuck Pagano trust Trent Richardson and Donald Brown to go up against a depleted Pats defensive line and linebacker core? For Pats fans, yes, but for Colts fans, they better not or they'll riot. I see Aqib Talib covering T.Y. Hilton forcing Andrew Luck to trust his TE, Colby Fleener (The Stanford Connection!) and his receivers Griff Whalen, Da'Rick Rogers, and Deion Branch! Yes, the Colts signed Deion Branch for some strange reason. The Patriots are a completely different team from last year so I don't see why they would need him. I think that the injuries and lack of talent in the secondary for the Colts will be the downfall for them.
San Francisco 49ers vs Carolina Panthers
A rematch between these two teams that saw the Panthers winning in Week 10. It was a very low scoring game (10-9), and expect something similar. Something that we didn't see was Michael Crabtree. He was clearly a factor in the Green Bay game, and it is clear that he is Colin Kaepernick's favorite target. There is a question whether Cam Newton's favorite target, Steve Smith will play in this game. It's mostly likely that he will play, with the time off, but if he doesn't play, The Panthers are in trouble. That leaves only Greg Olsen has the #1 target for Cam. Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn aren't bad wide receivers, but I trust that the 49ers' secondary can keep them in check. I also trust NaVorro Bowman and/or Patrick Willis to cover Greg Olsen. The only viable weapons that the Panthers have are Cam Newton and their pass rush led by Greg Hardy. Greg Hardy has been widely underrated throughout the year and the 49ers' offensive line will be tested by this Carolina pass rush. Also, Luke Kuechly is a monster. That is not a hyperbole. Kuechly will do what he can to slow down Frank Gore and Colin Kaepernick in the run game. If Steve Smith doesn't play, I expect the 49ers to win handily.
San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos
Remember when I said there is at least one upset in the Divisional Round? This is the game where it's going to happen. Come on it's perfect. Last game of the Divisional Round, the Chargers are clearly the "Nobody
Believes in Us team", the Broncos are the "Everybody Believes in Us team", Phillip Rivers is undefeated on the road when he wears his bolo tie, and it's Peyton Manning and Wes Welker in the playoffs, they'll find a way to mess it up. The Chargers need their offensive lineman to be healthy in this game to assist Phillip Rivers and the run game. The loss of Von Miller will be present in this game when the Broncos will struggle in the pass rush and in trying to stop Danny Woodhead in the open field. The Chargers have played close against the Broncos before. Losing by 8 in week 10 and winning 7 in week 15. Expect to see a similar type of game, somewhere in the 20s, and the Chargers beating the Broncos.
Picks
NO+8, NE-7.5, SF-3, SD+9
Last week: 3-0-1
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