Divisional Prediction

Wow it has been way too long since I've updated this. Well here goes nothing.

Saturday 4:30 AFC Divisional Playoff Game

Baltimore
@ Tennessee (-3)


Baltimore

Had it not been for Matt Ryan leading Atlanta out of the deepest sewer, Flacco was hands down the best rookie in the league. His stats are not that impressive but he does not make too many terrible mistakes. He looks very poised in the pocket and never seems to get flustered. In fact, if you put Flacco's stats up against Kerry Collins of Tennessee, he leads in every major category except Collins has thrown five less interceptions.

And as for the defense, wow is the only word. With names like Reed, Ray Lewis, Suggs, Ngata, Pryce, Scott, Rolle, and an emerging Leonhard, no wonder they are so good.


Tennessee

In my eyes, Collins deserved the comeback award for this year. No disrespect to Pennington but I'm not quite sure how you win this award twice. In fact, I would've voted Pennington as league MVP, but that's just my opinion. Collin's has reemerged as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. Like Flacco, he doesn't have the most glitzy stats, but he doesn't make crucial mistakes.

Albert Haynesworth will have a decent outing in this game but I think the young offensive line in the Ravens will keep him at bay for most of the game. I know the Raven's offensive line is very young, the oldest one being only a four-year starter, but they have been able to stop the pass rush for most of the season and in very crucial games (see Baltimore vs. Dallas).

Prediction

Baltimore leads the series over Tennessee 4-3. Two of those four wins have come by one point. I say the Raven's extend their lead over the Titans with another one point victory and win the game 19-18.


Saturday 8:15 NFC Divisional Playoff Game

Arizona
@ Carolina (-9.5)

Arizona

With wide receivers like Boldin and Fitzgerald, it's hard to beat these guys. Especially when you have Kurt Warner throwing to them. But this team is really going to have to buckle down if they want a shot at this game. They led their first game with Carolina 17-3 at one point but started to crumble and the Panthers pounced. This team knows how to beat Carolina, now they have to learn how to finish them off.

No specialty here on defense. Hopefully they can find a way to stop the rushing attack that Carolina has.

Carolina

Jake Delhomme has been quietly putting together a very nice year. He has been very efficient and has not made too many crucial mistakes. He makes big plays when he needs to and let's DeAngelo Williams take care of the rest. He has an NFL second best of 5.5 yards per rush. But an even bigger stat? He has ZERO turnovers in his 273 attempts. He truly is an amazing running back and look for him to dominate this game.

As long as this defense can shut down Warner, Boldin, and Fitzgerald, they will be fine. Unfortunately, I don't see this happening as the Cardinal's are averaging nearly 300 yards a game through the air.

Prediction

Here's an amazing stat. Not only is Arizona an underachieving 3-5 on the road but Carolina is a staggering 8-0 at home. Let me repeat, 8-0. Carolina wins this one in an offensive shootout with a score of 34-26


Sunday 1:00 NFC Divisional Playoff Game

Philadelphia
@ New York Giants (-5)

Philadelphia

When McNabb and Westbrook are on all cylinders, no team in the NFL has an easy solution as to how to stop them. They are the hottest duo in the league. And I have said numerous times in the past couple of weeks that Philly is the hottest team in the NFL. Yes, even over Indy, or San Diego, and even over my beloved Ravens. The only question to answer now is which Eagles team is really going to show up? Is it going to be the team that laid an egg and tied the Bengals or the team that took a commanding control of against Dallas? Only time will tell.

This team will have it's hands full with the best rushing team in the NFL, but no worries here, this defense can hang. They are only allowing 92.3 rushing yards per game, ranking fourth in the NFL. Eli could hurt them though as he is averaging nearly 245 yards per game.

New York

A Super Bowl MVP at quarterback, 7-1 record at home, one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL, playing a division rival for the chance of a second straight Super Bowl appearance. Now that makes for some exciting football. For New York fans, this is truly one of the best matchups of the year. But this will be no easy win and advance situation. The Eagles have a lot to prove. Look for Jacobs to make some huge gains to setup the Giants to some nice scoring drives. Manning will have a decent day with Toomer being a big part of the offense.

This defense will also have a lot to handle with Westbrook running at them but they also have a great run defense ranking ninth in the league. If I were the Giants though, I'd be worried about McNabb as the Giants are giving up almost 300 yards a game to opposing quarterbacks.

Prediction

This will be a good ol' fashioned NFC East matchup showcasing good defenses and effective offenses. It won't be a blowout by any means but I'm predicting the upset here, as Philly will win on a last minute drive with the score being 24-23


Sunday 4:45 AFC Divisional Playoff Game

San Diego
@ Pittsburgh (-6)

San Diego

Wow. I keep watching that replay of Sproles' winning TD run and I am amazed every single time. That guy is fast. The way he moves his feet is incredible. After watching that performance on Indy, that guy will have a contract somewhere as the starting running back. He's just too good to be a backup. As for Rivers, he is by far the best quarterback of the year. Despite what the probowl voting says, despite what the AP thinks, just look at the stats. He finished the year with a 105.5 QB rating. Who was second? Chad Pennington with a 97.4. And now, he gets a second chance to show the probowl voters why they got it wrong.

There should be no worries in the defense on stopping the run, although in their last meeting with Pittsburgh, they did have trouble stopping Willie Parker, who rushed for 115 yards. What this team needs to worry about is controlling the game clock. If they can do that against this team, they are putting themselves in the best position to win.

Pittsburgh

Not much to say with Pittsburgh's offense. They are only averaging 312 yards per game on offense but they are doing enough to score points and let the defense do their job. Roethlisberger will be forced into some bad decisions in this game and will have a couple of turnovers. Willie Parker will have an effective day on the ground but will not gain 100 yards on this defense like he did the last time.

This defense is absolutely smothering. If this team goes up early, it will be very hard to come back against this defense at all. As long as this defense doesn't fall asleep like they did against the Titans, they will be fine at stopping the very effective offense of San Diego.

Prediction

This game will be the lowest scoring of the four games this weekend but Pittsburgh will prevail at the end forcing key turnovers. This game will take a toll on everybody on the field but the score will be 16-13