Divisional Playoffs Predictions

Added on Jan 14, 2011 by Scott in

NFL

And then there were eight. A quartet of juicy Divisional Playoff matchups awaits pigskin fans this weekend. The conference’s top two teams throw down against number six seeds, the 8-9 Seahawks look to continue their surprising run and the Ravens-Steelers will engage in another bruising battle. Last week, road teams won three of four. Will we see similar results or will home field advantage make a difference? Let’s take a look.

(5) Ravens @ (2) Steelers – Baltimore had a fight on their hands in the Wild-Card round until the Chiefs imploded in the third quarter. Joe Flacco tossed 34 passes and did a credible job moving the chains with the run game stalling. Ray Rice combined to rush for 52 yards in the two regular season games against the Steelers. Look for more of the same on Saturday. Troy Polamalu is still nursing a bum ankle, but should be ready to go. This will come down to the quarterbacks. Ben Roethlisberger missed the Week 4 loss at Heinz Field and won the rematch thanks in large to Polamalu’s fourth quarter sack-fumble. Pittsburgh has been up and down. Baltimore has won five straight. Tough to bet against the black and gold at home. Steelers 17, Ravens 13

(6) Packers @ (1) Falcons – The well-rested Falcons dropped Green Bay in Week 12 20-17 and won seven of eight in the Georgia Dome this season. Michael Turner sets the table for the offense. The better he runs, the better Atlanta plays. The Pack are vulnerable to the run, but did an excellent job keying on Michael Vick last week. If they take away Turner and force Ryan to beat their secondary, they will be in good shape. Roddy White was held in check in the first meeting with 5 catches for 49 yards. Aaron Rodgers can throw against anybody, but needs a rush attack to balance the offense. James Starks was brilliant against the Eagles. Can he do it again? Atlanta still isn’t getting a lot of respect, which should serve as extra motivation, especially at home. That being said, I like the visitors. Packers 24, Falcons 23

(4) Seahawks @ (2) Bears – The best thing about being an underdog nobody thinks can win is not having to deal with pressure. Oh sure, the Seahawks coaches and players will tell you they face pressure to perform, but that’s just rehearsed rhetoric said before a playoff game. Truth be told, the Bears are the team under the microscope. Jay Cutler is making his first career postseason start. Lovie Smith is trying to prove 2006 wasn’t a fluke. The team as a whole is trying to forget they lost at home to Seattle in Week 6. I don’t trust the Bears, but I’m not prepared to pick them to lose. Cutler will make plays and the defense will stand tall. Bears 20, Seahawks 9

(6) Jets @ (1) Patriots – Between Rex Ryan and Antonio Cromartie, the Jets spent the week kicking the hornet’s nest. Attempting to psyche out Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the rest of the Patriots is a fruitless endeavor, but it does make for amusing headlines. New England has scored 30-plus points in eight consecutive games — all wins. The Jets defense is overrated. It will take a major collapse for the Pats to lose this one. Brady goes off. Sanchez flops. Patriots 30, Jets 13