Sports: NFL Playoffs Divisional Round

NFL Playoffs:  Divisional Round

Well, it wasn't a great weekend for my predictions - but more importantly, it was a great weekend to watch the games.  Two of the games were decided by field goals at the very end, and the Chiefs-Colts game was the most entertaining I've seen in years (possibly top 5 all-time).  Really, only the 49ers-Packers game went as I thought it would.  Chiefs-Colts was just bonkers and defied everyone's expectations.  The Saints showed great patience and resilience while the Eagles were ineffective and went away somewhat meekly.  And the Bengals were snake-bitten by a few crucial plays (esp. RB Bernard's fumble) that went against them, plus the miserable play of QB Andy Dalton.

Hopefully we'll get a similarly entertaining weekend for this round.  Although as long as the evil TTSNBN is vanquished, I will be happy.


AFC:

Indianapolis Colts @ TTSNBN
Saturday, 8:15 PM ET

Talking about TTSNBN makes me feel ill, unless it's about how they've just lost, so let's try to jinx them and move on.

Prediction:  TTSNBN - 34; Colts - 20

San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos
Sunday, 4:40 PM ET

Ooh, here's a doozy to pick.  There are perfectly rational arguments to be made for either team to win.  On the one hand are the underdog Chargers - they've already beaten the Broncos in Denver this year, and only lost by 8 in their other meeting.  Plus, the Chargers have won five straight including last week's convincing defeat of the Bengals.  On the other hand, the Broncos are the highest scoring team in regular season history, and their QB has broken the single-season yard and TD records.  They went 13-3 in the regular season, and consistently looked dominant.  So which of these arguments prevails?  Since it's almost a tie in my head, I'm going to go with my gut and say the Chargers; I think people are more likely to ignore their advantages and be shocked if/when the upset occurs.  (But I'm rooting for the Broncos!)

Prediction:  Chargers - 28; Broncos - 24


NFC:

New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks
Saturday, 4:35 PM ET

These teams have already played this year, and it was NOT pretty for New Orleans, a 34-7 beat down. The Saints didn't even get 200 total yards on offense; they had as many rushing yards last week as they did in that game.  Of course, the Saints probably shouldn't count on Brees having one of his usual 300-400 yard passing games because the Seahawks have the #1 pass defense in the league.  On the other hand, the Seahawks' offense seems to be in need of some WD-40 recently, especially after their final home game, a 17-10 loss to the Cardinals.  I would be surprised if either team (particularly the Saints) won big in this one.  We know the Saints have a great offense and the Seahawks a great defense; but what will happen in the reverse roles?  That's where the game will be decided.  With an amped up Seattle crowd cheering them on, I'm betting (only figuratively) the Seahawks here.

Prediction:  Seahawks - 23; Saints - 17

San Francisco 49ers @ Carolina Panthers
Sunday, 1:05 PM ET

When these teams played in week 10, both were on a roll.  The difference was that the 49ers were a proven squad, having made the Super Bowl last year, and the Panthers were still being questioned due to their 7-9 record in 2012.  Well, the Panthers went on the road and slugged it out in a defensive battle, coming out on top, 10-9.  It ended up being huge not only in helping them win the NFC South but also preventing the 49ers from winning the NFC West.  As the week 10 meeting revealed, the teams have a lot of similarities.  Both have athletic QBs who are capable of brilliance, but also of long streaks of 3-and-outs and turnovers.  Both have physical, aggressive defenses.  I think the 49ers win, primarily because of experience but also, strangely, because they got to play last week.  San Francisco got to keep its momentum going last week (its 7th straight win), while the Panthers rested but also maybe had too much time to think about its first year of relevance in a while - and as the home "favorite".

Prediction:  49ers - 27; Panthers - 13


Let's hope for another good weekend of football, and above all else... GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!