Divisional Round Preview & Picks

Haz Bey

Last week I completely nailed the NFC picks going 2-0 with accurately predicting the Saints would score 45 points in their win, but as far as AFC picks went, well that's another story. So here we go. These are my picks for this weekend's games. 

Haz Picks This Post Season (2-2)

AFC DIVISIONAL GAMES

Broncos @ Patriots
The absolutely hardest game to pick for me this season. You would think the mystic of the Patriots led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick would be too much to handle with the inexperienced Tim Tebow led Broncos coming into town, but there might be more than meets the eye here. Denver has the kryptonite to that high powered offense of New England and that's a tough, physical running game. The Ravens and the Jets respectively had similar offenses that led to 2 New England losses in their last 2 home playoff games. In their earlier regular season match up, the Broncos were able to rush for 200 yards in the 1st quarter alone. Look for that trend to continue in this weeks match up. Tim TeBow and the offense will also have to not turnover the football like they did in the first match up. Denver committed 3 turnovers for 17 New England's points that changed the momentum of the game and led to Denver losing the football game. I predict that Denver will fight hard throughout the ball game, but with the loss of safety Brian Dawkins and Von Miller playing with 1 arm, Tom Brady will put points on the board early and often.
Patriots Win 31-20

Texans @ Ravens
All I have been hearing is that these teams are mirror images of each other. OK, maybe, but last time I check Baltimore is a perfect 8-0 at home. With Ray Rice controlling the clock and that legendary defense led by Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs & Haloti Gnata, I see T.J. Yates having a very long day. Running backs Arian Foster & Ben Tate will have to work extremely hard this week and right now the tandem will not be enough. The Ravens should win this game with no real threat coming from Houston.
Ravens Win 24-9

NFC DIVISIONAL GAMES

Saints @ 49ers
This game does not shape up well for the New Orleans at all. San Francisco's home field has a dirt foundation and if it becomes wet, forget about it. The Saints are like Rams of the early 2000s, "The Fastest Show On Turf". All the weapons at Drew Brees' disposal were meant to run past defenses at home in the Super Dome. Playing that nasty defense of the San Francisco 49ers on that field will not benefit the Saints at all. San Fran on offense will pound the Saints defense with a healthy dosage of running back Frank Gore. Keeping Drew Brees off the field by killing clock. The Saints defense is going to have to force some turnovers to gain some extra possessions to give them a shot of winning on the road. Coach of the Year candidate Jim Harbaugh will have his troops fired up to play their first playoff game as a collective unit and will the extra week off, linebacker Patrick Willis will fly all over the field making plays and hitting Saints players in the mouth. This is a bad spot for the Saints who will have to use running back Darren Sproles in the screen game to slow down San Fran's pass rush. In this battle of 13-3 teams, I am taking the home team in this one.
49ers Win 27-17

Giants @ Packers
The Packers have been unstoppable all season long. They have the best receiving core in football hands down. They have arguable the best quarterback in the league. They have 2 of the best defensive play makers in the the game in Clay Mathews & Charles Woodson. So this game this week should be a breeze right? Wrong. The New York Football Giants come into town with an "Empire State of Mind". Eli Manning is playing lights out as of late. His receiving core of Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks & Mario Manningham are probably the 2nd best receiving core in football. The Giants defensive line with their 3 headed monster of Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora & Jason Pierre-Paul are going to give Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offensive line fits all game long. Most importantly, 17 players on the Giants roster are part of the 2007 Super Bowl winning championship team that also went into Green Bay and knocked off the Pack in the NFC Championship game that season. The Giants are physical on both sides of the ball and are by no means intimidated by the Packers. All the pressure is on the Packers to get the win and lets not forget that it took a 58 second drive for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to defeat the Giants in the final moments earlier in the regular season 38-35. I think you know where I am going with this. My upset special. The G-Men get it done.
Giants Win 31-27