NFL Conference Championship Preview and Predictions

Julius Peppers and the Packers defensee may have a

tough time containing Russell Wilson

Green Bay @ Seattle Seahawks (-8) - Seattle will try to keep their winning streak at home alive at 8 games.  Green Bay will try to find some of its magic back in 2011 when it won 3 games on the road and eventually ended up winning the Super Bowl.

The two teams met in week 1 of the NFL season, as the Seahawks blew out the Packers 36-16.   Still, the structure of both teams are different.  Seattle's wide receiver Percy Harvin who had 100 all purpose yards was traded to New York Jets.  Also, Green Bay's Eddy Lacy was not fully healthy and the Packers eventually became a much better team with improved chemistry as the season progressed.

Seattle's defense has been daunting as it slowed down a relatively healthy Cam Newton last week.  The Packers offense on paper is theoretically better but Rodgers has suffered an injured quad and could be limited as he was against the Cowboys.  Even without accounting for Rodger's injury, the Packers' offense has shown signs of vulnerability against opponents like the Buffalo Bills. Seattle should  be able to exploit a wounded Rodgers moreso than the Dallas Cowboys given that the Seahawks have a stronger front seven and secondary.  The crowd noise could also force Green Bay to commit penalties and could potentially for Green Bay into more third down and long conversions.

Seattle's offense also has the propensity to wear opponents out with it run game anchored by Marshawn Lynch.  Plus Wilson ability to extend plays should frustrate the Packers.  Seattle's offense was explosive enough against a really good Carolina defense which has better than the Packers.  Green Bay did have a good showing against the Cowboys with the help of a controversial juggle by Dez Byrant at the 1 yard line but despite not having any big name targets, Seattle offense should be able to put up more than 21 points than the Cowboys did last week.

Overall, it's hard for me to see Green Bay keeping this close unless Rodgers puts up a great effort. Even so, the odds are stacked against the Packers in this one against a Seattle defense that they have struggled to put up points, averaging only 15 points per game in their last two matchups

Andrew Luck is peaking at the right time,

will it be enough to beat the Patriots?

Indianapolis Colts (+6.5) @ New England Patriots-  This game could either be mark of continuous success for Tom Brady and the Patriots or a new era of change featured by Andrew Luck.  The Patriots have not even kept it close in their past two matchups against the Colts.  New England beat the Colts last year 43 to 22 in the playoffs and lost their regular season matchup 42 to 20- and each time compiling at least 4 rushing touchdowns.

Still, the Colts have conquered a few of its demons.  Indianapolis did end up beating the Broncos after losing the week 1 opener on Sunday night.  And the the Colts' defense so far in the playoffs has ended up making the solid NFL quarterbacks look silly including Andy Dalton and Peyton Manning.  The question is if the Colts defense is actually good enough to slow down Tom Brady.  Certainly, the Colts defense seems to be more intact health wise in the secondary than the Baltimore Ravens.

While the Patriots have suffered some bad playoff losses over the year, the feel of this team is slightly different with a healthy Gronkowski being a dynamic playmaker.   Tom Brady looks to back in pro bowl form with his favorite target back

Tom Brady celebrated a lot 

this year with Gronkowski healthy

While Andrew Luck has been inconsistent from game to game, the Colts offense should be a tougher test than the Ravens offense.  And yes, Luck has struggled at times on the road, but he did pick a great time to pick up the slack in the postseason against a tough Cincinnati defense and in the cold weather in Denver.  Luck has enough big play targets to make this game interesting.

I think the Patriots are still the slight favorites, but I get the sense that the Colts are growing up and could play the the Patriots close.  I think the Patriots will hold on for the win but Andrew Luck may have his chances to be the victor in the 4th quarter.  

Divisional Playoff Playoff Previews and Predictions

This will be the sixth matchup between  Joe Flacco and Tom Brady

Baltimore Ravens (+7) @ New England Patriots- The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, the Ravens dismantled the Patriots by a score of 28-13.  Still, the make up of these teams were different most notably that Rob Gronkowski was out and the Ravens are missing a few pieces from that eventual super bowl winning team including Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed.  

More likely than not, the Patriots should pull out a win because of their homefield advantage.  Still, the Ravens have a habit of keeping games close against the Patriots and it could be a struggle for the Patriots if Ngata, Suggs, and Dumervil.  Joe Flacco is also 5-0 in his last 5 playoff games.  Steve Smith Sr. will also be motivated against the Patriots especially since he lost to New England in the Super Bowl when he was with the Panthers.

 

Seattle's defense should be able to contain 

a banged up Cam Newton

Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks (-12) - In the past couple of years with Russell Wilson, Seattle is 4-1 in the postseason and 2-0 at home when they went on to win the Super Bowl.  Yes, it is true that Carolina held Seattle to 13 points in their last meeting. Still Carolina offense struggled against the Seahawks and only put up 1 touchdown in its past 3 meetings.  

The outcome of this game will come down to Cam Newton who looked progressively more banged up against Arizona as the game went on.  Turnovers could become problematic for Carolina especially with a loud Seattle crowd where the Seahawks have not lost a home playoff game since 2004.  

 I like Seattle to cover here with Seattle capitalizing on turnovers.  Carolina will have a chance at an upset if Cam Newton is healthy and he keeps his poise since Carolina's defense has been holding less than 20 points in its last five games.  Still, Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch will prove to be a much better than test than Ryan Lindley and the Cardinal's offense.   

Aaron Rodgers has yet to throw an interception at home this season

Tony Romo will have to be be far better than he was last week against the Lions

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers (-7) - The Packers are 8-0 at home and the Cowboys are 8-0 on the road.  Still, the conditions for this game will be unfamiliar territories for both teams as temperatures will approach will be 8.5 degrees.  Cold weather may favor the run and defense, Demarco Murray has been the better running back but it remains unclear if he will be as effective as he injured his hand and wears a padded glove.  Murray did run for 75 yards on 19 carries last week.  Aaron Rodgers also suffered a partial calf tear but he was still good enough to lead the Packers in a comfortable victory over the Lions.  

Personally, I think the passing attack of the Packers will be too much for the Cowboys who have not faced an offense this good all season.  If Rodgers is limited and the weather are the big concerns which could level the playing field for the Cowboys.  

When Andrew Luck was taken in the 2012 by the Colts

it made Peyton Manning expendable

Indianapolis Colts @ Denver Broncos (-7)-  People may be drawn in to decide this game based on a Luck and Manning matchup.  While Luck may have better physical attributes especially in cold weather conditions, it still remains to be seen where else the Colts will have an advantage.  

The Broncos will certainly feature a better running attack with CJ Anderson while Indianapolis offers little after Ahmad Bradshaw went down with a season ending injury.  Things have gotten so bad for the Colts running attack that Trent Richardson, who was the #3 pick back in 2012, will start playing special teams this week.  

The Broncos also have better receiving targets for Manning to throw to including DeMaryus Thomas and Julius Thomas.  Also giving Manning an extra weak to prepare against his former team and it remains to be seen if the Colts defense can slow down a team like Denver.

Wild Card Weekend Preview and Picks

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) - This matchup features two quarterbacks that have won Super Bowls:

Big Ben has 2 rings while Flacco recently won his in 2012.  

Each team won their respective home game this season to split the series.  Both teams are limited by injuries- Leveon Bell is out for this game.

As it stands right now, the Steelers are 3-0 against the Ravens and go into this game having won its last 4 games.  The Ravens with Flacco have won its 2 past road games in the postseason when it went on to win the super bowl.  Still, the defense does not have guys like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed to help out the Ravens defensive unit, and has been decimated by injuries on the offensive line and secondary.

Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers (-5.5)- Ryan Lindley makes a start who is so far 1-5 as a starter and 0-2 this season in place of Stanton.  While the Cardinals defense has been solid all season, they have struggled to contain rushing quarterbacks like Russell Wilson.

 Cam Newton has rushed for over 50 yards in each 

of his past two games since his car accident.  

It also looks like the Panthers defense is playing well given that they held the Falcons offense to only 3 points last week.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) -

AJ Green is doubtful with a concussion. 

 While Indianapolis is only 2-4 against playoff teams this season, it's one win was a 27-0 victory over these Bengals.  This is certainly a winnable game for the Bengals, but given that Andy Dalton has been inconsistent and his playoff stats have been lackluster with only 1 touchdown and 6 interceptions in three starts.

Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) -

This may be the year that Tony Romo

gets it together in the postseason

Since losing to the Eagles on Thanksgiving Day, the Cowboys have averaged over 40 points in their past 4 games.   The Lions may prove to the toughest defense that the Cowboys have faced in a while.  Still, the Lions offense has been anemic and has not scored more than 20 points since week 9.