This is what we’ve all been waiting for. Congrats to all of those who’s favorite teams made the playoffs…especially you Bengals & Texans fans. Too bad one of those will be golfing next weekend. And, Detroit! Its been a long time coming, but it’s great to see the Motor City in the postseason, as well.
This weekend’s match-ups look good.
Saturday 4:30 est
GAME 1. CIN @ HOU is a replay of a week 14 (HOU’s last regular-season win). TJ Yates found Owen Daniels for 100 receiving yards, while the CIN defense had done a great job shutting down HOU’s running attack. Yates drove HOU to the winning TD…Final 20-19 in Cincinnati. I dont see this game being too different. I imagine Foster will be a big factor in the offensive attack, especially if Andre Johnson is still limited. When push comes to shove (and it will) HOU’s homefield advantage and crowd noise will become the determining factor. HOU wins (finally) 26-24 (so, CIN +4 is the pick).
Saturday 8 est
GAME 2. Another regular season rematch from week 13 in Detroit @ New Orleans. NO won 31-17 (covering the 9.5) last time. Detroit was without Suh who we all know makes a big difference pressuring the QB. Without Suh, DET was unable to get enough pressure on Brees with their front 4. This resulted in blitzing schemes, which Drew Brees just begs defensive coordinators to do. On the other side, Detroit is coming off an offensive explosion against GB. They will be able to keep some of that momentum rolling early in this game, but in the end, New Orleans has a better defense than GB. New Orleans, at home, is simply too tough and too hungry (after last year’s 1st round bounce) to lose this game. New Orleans wins 34-28 (Pick: DET +11).
Sunday 1 est
GAME 3. This game, in my opinion, is a true coin-flip. ATL @ NYG. The Giants have had issues in their secondary dating back to the preseason. ATL’s passing offense has simply blown up over the last half of the season. Julio Jones, Roddy White, & Tony G may be too much for NYG to handle. The Giants will need to get pressure without blitzing if they plan on winning this match-up. If Atlanta is able to establish the run game early, opening up passing lanes up the middle, the Giants could be in a position they are all too familiar with this season…Fourth Quarter Comebacks. For NYG, Bradshaw & Jacobs need to move the chains and control the clock. Their best defense will be to keep Matty Ice on the sideline. NYG -3 looks like a sucker’s bet. This game is going to resemble the NO @ ATL game from week 10. A close match, possible overtime, with a field goal separating the winner from loser. Im picking ATL +3 and the over (47).
Sunday 4:30 est
GAME 4: Am I going to be the first one who has to say that Denver has an incredibly strong chance to WIN this game? All week all Ive heard is how much of a “slam-dunk” this is for the Steelers. As I agree that PIT is the better team, they are without Mendenhall, Pouncey, Clark, and Ben is hobbled. On the other side, Champ Bailey is going to shut down Mike Wallace and Dawkins should be back to control the secondary. If you think Redman can move the ball against Dumervil and Miller, you just may be certifiably nuts. I have a feeling Tebow, DEN defense, and the Denver faithful are going to make this a difficult game for PIT to win. If the score is close in the fourth quarter, we could all be witness to “Tebow-Time”…DEN+9 is a lock!
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