NFL: Divisional Round
Best weekend of playoff football ever?
Hard to argue without seeing how the games unfold, but I think it will be and if you don't believe me, here's just a little of what this weekend's four divisional games feature.
The defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers with MVP Aaron Rodgers go up against Eli Manning and the excellent defensive line of the New York Giants. Drew Brees and the record setting Saints offense take on Patrick Willis and the best defense west of the Mississippi in the 49ers. Ray Lewis and the very physical Ravens defense welcome in Arian Foster and the Houston Texans, who are led by rookie quarterback in T.J. Yates. And finally, Tebow vs. Brady and Belichick in New England.
If that wasn't enough to convince you, here are a few more reasons why this weekend has the capability to be the best weekend of playoff football ever. The eight teams playing this weekend had a combined regular season record of 93-35 (.727). There are 42 players selected to this year's Pro Bowl roster playing this weekend.
20 from the AFC (Baltimore - 8, Denver - 3, Houston - 2, New England - 8), 22 from the NFC (Green Bay - 7, New Orleans - 5, N.Y. Giants - 2, San Francisco - 8), and 4 of them are quarterbacks. And that doesn't even include Denver QB Tim Tebow, Giants WR Victor Cruz, Texans WR Andre Johnson, or Saints RB Darren Sproles, just to name a few.
If you can find four other playoff matchups in NFL history of this caliber, with this kind of talent on the same weekend, please let me know.
The only way I can describe the excitement fans should be feeling this weekend is by watching Jets LB Bart Scott saying, "Can't Wait!", last year after defeating the Patriots in the divisional round.
The games this weekend should be as good as advertised and here's who I like to advance to the Conference Championships and get one step closer to Super Bowl XLVI.
Divisional Round Picks (Home team in CAPS)
New Orleans over SAN FRANCISCO: The obviously thing to watch in this game is the Saints offense versus the 49ers defense. The Greatest Show on Field Turf led by QB Drew Brees has been unstoppable this season, especially at home in the Dome, but on the road it's a different story. The field at Candlestick Park is always slick with the San Francisco weather and the 49ers arguably have the league's best defense this season, so the Saints will be tested out by the Bay.
As intriguing as this matchup is, I think the game will be won or lost in the other matchup, the 49ers offense versus the Saints defense. San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers did not lead the league with 52 field goal attempts just because Jim Harbaugh likes to see field goals rather than touchdowns. The 49ers struggled big time in the red zone this year and if they are going to beat Drew Brees and the Saints, who will put up some points in this game, they must get touchdowns.
It should be a close game, but I think the Saints will score just enough points to edge the 49ers.
NEW ENGLAND over Denver: Does God Care Who Wins Football Games? Former NFL quarterback and all-time great, Fran Tarkenton, has a great article about, "Mr. Tebow," and the role of religion in the NFL that's worth a read. If God does in fact care about who wins football games, one would have to think that he is pulling for Tebow and the Broncos Saturday night in Foxborough.
The things Tim Tebow and the Broncos have been able to do this season are remarkable and last week's overtime win against the Steelers some could only described as a miracle. Pittsburgh had the league's number one defense and they allowed Tebow to throw for a career high 316-yds, and WR Demaryius Thomas to haul in 204-yds receiving after only having 551-yds the entire regular season. You can call it luck, a coincidence, or even a miracle, but the fact of the matter is the Broncos are playing the New England Patriots Saturday night with a trip to the AFC Championship on the line, while the Steelers will be sitting at home on the couch.
Tom Brady and the Patriots offense won Round 1 against the Broncos, 41-27, back in Week 15 and I like them again in Round 2. I'll be honest, I'm a Tebow fan, not just for what he does on the field, but for the things he does off the field. ESPN's Rick Reilly explains. Tebow is a great leader, he has great character, unbelievable intangibles, great faith, and no one tries harder to succeed in football or in life, than Tim Tebow. You can love or hate Tim Tebow all you want, but you have to admit the guy is pretty special.
Would it be a great story if Tebow beat the Patriots, advanced to the Super Bowl, and maybe even won the whole thing? It would probably one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of sports, but will it happen? I doubt it, but with Tebow, anything seems possible.
The Patriots have Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, a lethal arsenal of offensive talent, and Josh McDainels, who just joined the Patriots staff, and he was the guy who drafted Tebow when he was the head coach in Denver. New England has a terrible defense, so expect Tebow and the Broncos to put up some points and keep it close, but I don't think it will be enough.
All good things must come to an end and I think it will be the end of Tebow Time on Saturday night, for now anyway. It sure was one exciting ride that Tebow and the Broncos took fans on this season and I bet we have only seen the beginning of what Tim Tebow is capable of doing on and off the field.
BALTIMORE over Houston: Texans rookie QB T.J. Yates will face the toughest test of his short career Sunday when he goes up against the Ravens very physical defense. Baltimore and Houston have two the league's best running backs and two of the best defenses and they all will be tested Sunday afternoon.
For the Ravens it's pretty simple, run the football, and you'll win the game. When Ray Rice gets 20-30 touches a game and the rushing attack is successful, the Ravens win. When they run the ball 14 times and throw it 40, they lose. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron better have about 30 designed plays for Ray Rice on Sunday if he wants to keep his job and get the Ravens to the AFC Championship game.
With the Texans going into hostile territory against that Ravens defense with a rookie quarterback, it's really hard for me to imagine a scenario where they win this football game. It will be physical and maybe even low scoring, but I like the Ravens to come out on top.
GREEN BAY over NY Giants: Will it live up to the hype? All week people have being talking about whether the Giants can go into Lambeau Field and knock off the 15-1 Green Bay Packers. I think they can and here's why.
Is there any team that is playing better right now than the NY Giants? They have won four of their last five games, they are running the ball better right now than they have the entire season, the defense is coming off its best performance of the season, and Eli Manning is having a career year and has been unstoppable in the 4th quarter this year with 15 TD passes.
After seeing the Giants play these last couple weeks, it really is appealing to pick them in an upset, but in case you forgot, the Packers were 15-1 this season and Aaron Rodgers is pretty damn good. He hasn't played in three weeks after sitting out the final regular season game against the Lions, then the bye week, and you can forget about him coming out a little rusty.
Rodgers threw for 4,643-yds, 45 TD, and only 6 Int this season, and the Packers offense has put up 24 points or more in all but one game this season. However, back in Week 13, they need a last-minute drive from Rodgers to knock off the Giants in the Meadowlands, 38-35. I think this one will again be close, possibly coming down to the final minute, and I'll take Rodgers and the Packers to win it.
If my picks are correct, that means next week we will get to see Baltimore take on Brady and the Patriots in New England, and most likely a shootout between Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field, all with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. "Holy Crap!" This weekend, though, should be entertaining to say the least.
Last Week: 2-2
Postseason: 2-2
Hard to argue without seeing how the games unfold, but I think it will be and if you don't believe me, here's just a little of what this weekend's four divisional games feature.
The defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers with MVP Aaron Rodgers go up against Eli Manning and the excellent defensive line of the New York Giants. Drew Brees and the record setting Saints offense take on Patrick Willis and the best defense west of the Mississippi in the 49ers. Ray Lewis and the very physical Ravens defense welcome in Arian Foster and the Houston Texans, who are led by rookie quarterback in T.J. Yates. And finally, Tebow vs. Brady and Belichick in New England.
If that wasn't enough to convince you, here are a few more reasons why this weekend has the capability to be the best weekend of playoff football ever. The eight teams playing this weekend had a combined regular season record of 93-35 (.727). There are 42 players selected to this year's Pro Bowl roster playing this weekend.
20 from the AFC (Baltimore - 8, Denver - 3, Houston - 2, New England - 8), 22 from the NFC (Green Bay - 7, New Orleans - 5, N.Y. Giants - 2, San Francisco - 8), and 4 of them are quarterbacks. And that doesn't even include Denver QB Tim Tebow, Giants WR Victor Cruz, Texans WR Andre Johnson, or Saints RB Darren Sproles, just to name a few.
If you can find four other playoff matchups in NFL history of this caliber, with this kind of talent on the same weekend, please let me know.
The only way I can describe the excitement fans should be feeling this weekend is by watching Jets LB Bart Scott saying, "Can't Wait!", last year after defeating the Patriots in the divisional round.
The games this weekend should be as good as advertised and here's who I like to advance to the Conference Championships and get one step closer to Super Bowl XLVI.
Divisional Round Picks (Home team in CAPS)
New Orleans over SAN FRANCISCO: The obviously thing to watch in this game is the Saints offense versus the 49ers defense. The Greatest Show on Field Turf led by QB Drew Brees has been unstoppable this season, especially at home in the Dome, but on the road it's a different story. The field at Candlestick Park is always slick with the San Francisco weather and the 49ers arguably have the league's best defense this season, so the Saints will be tested out by the Bay.
As intriguing as this matchup is, I think the game will be won or lost in the other matchup, the 49ers offense versus the Saints defense. San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers did not lead the league with 52 field goal attempts just because Jim Harbaugh likes to see field goals rather than touchdowns. The 49ers struggled big time in the red zone this year and if they are going to beat Drew Brees and the Saints, who will put up some points in this game, they must get touchdowns.
It should be a close game, but I think the Saints will score just enough points to edge the 49ers.
NEW ENGLAND over Denver: Does God Care Who Wins Football Games? Former NFL quarterback and all-time great, Fran Tarkenton, has a great article about, "Mr. Tebow," and the role of religion in the NFL that's worth a read. If God does in fact care about who wins football games, one would have to think that he is pulling for Tebow and the Broncos Saturday night in Foxborough.
 |
| Can Tim Tebow and the Broncos do it again Saturday night against Tom Brady and the Patriots? (Reuters) |
Tom Brady and the Patriots offense won Round 1 against the Broncos, 41-27, back in Week 15 and I like them again in Round 2. I'll be honest, I'm a Tebow fan, not just for what he does on the field, but for the things he does off the field. ESPN's Rick Reilly explains. Tebow is a great leader, he has great character, unbelievable intangibles, great faith, and no one tries harder to succeed in football or in life, than Tim Tebow. You can love or hate Tim Tebow all you want, but you have to admit the guy is pretty special.
Would it be a great story if Tebow beat the Patriots, advanced to the Super Bowl, and maybe even won the whole thing? It would probably one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of sports, but will it happen? I doubt it, but with Tebow, anything seems possible.
The Patriots have Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, a lethal arsenal of offensive talent, and Josh McDainels, who just joined the Patriots staff, and he was the guy who drafted Tebow when he was the head coach in Denver. New England has a terrible defense, so expect Tebow and the Broncos to put up some points and keep it close, but I don't think it will be enough.
All good things must come to an end and I think it will be the end of Tebow Time on Saturday night, for now anyway. It sure was one exciting ride that Tebow and the Broncos took fans on this season and I bet we have only seen the beginning of what Tim Tebow is capable of doing on and off the field.
BALTIMORE over Houston: Texans rookie QB T.J. Yates will face the toughest test of his short career Sunday when he goes up against the Ravens very physical defense. Baltimore and Houston have two the league's best running backs and two of the best defenses and they all will be tested Sunday afternoon.
For the Ravens it's pretty simple, run the football, and you'll win the game. When Ray Rice gets 20-30 touches a game and the rushing attack is successful, the Ravens win. When they run the ball 14 times and throw it 40, they lose. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron better have about 30 designed plays for Ray Rice on Sunday if he wants to keep his job and get the Ravens to the AFC Championship game.
With the Texans going into hostile territory against that Ravens defense with a rookie quarterback, it's really hard for me to imagine a scenario where they win this football game. It will be physical and maybe even low scoring, but I like the Ravens to come out on top.
GREEN BAY over NY Giants: Will it live up to the hype? All week people have being talking about whether the Giants can go into Lambeau Field and knock off the 15-1 Green Bay Packers. I think they can and here's why.
Is there any team that is playing better right now than the NY Giants? They have won four of their last five games, they are running the ball better right now than they have the entire season, the defense is coming off its best performance of the season, and Eli Manning is having a career year and has been unstoppable in the 4th quarter this year with 15 TD passes.
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| Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning have been two of the league's best quarterbacks this season, but only one will advance to next week's NFC Championship game. (Getty Images) |
Rodgers threw for 4,643-yds, 45 TD, and only 6 Int this season, and the Packers offense has put up 24 points or more in all but one game this season. However, back in Week 13, they need a last-minute drive from Rodgers to knock off the Giants in the Meadowlands, 38-35. I think this one will again be close, possibly coming down to the final minute, and I'll take Rodgers and the Packers to win it.
If my picks are correct, that means next week we will get to see Baltimore take on Brady and the Patriots in New England, and most likely a shootout between Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field, all with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. "Holy Crap!" This weekend, though, should be entertaining to say the least.
Last Week: 2-2
Postseason: 2-2
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