Divisional Round Picks

Andy Dalton walks off the field after the Bengals lost their fourth
straight playoff game in as many years.
(Glenn Hartong/The Cincinnati Enquirer)

The Bengals, along with the Cardinals, Steelers and Lions will have to wait another year for a chance at winning another playoff game. It's the same old story for the Bengals and there is no use discussing the game because as the old saying goes, there is no use in beating a dead horse.

Instead, let's focus on four excellent football games this weekend. The best eight teams in football -- well technically Carolina is only 8-8-1 on the season, so I still wouldn't say they are one of the best eight teams in football -- will take the field this weekend with a chance to advance to the AFC/NFC Championship and move one step closer to the Super Bowl.

My picks for this week's games are below.

Divisional Round Picks (Home team in CAPS)

NEW ENGLAND over Baltimore (Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET, NBC): No one is better in the playoffs than Tom Brady. His 18 career playoff wins are the most of all-time and him and Belichick seem almost unbeatable when it comes to games in January and February. However, the one team that has had some success against Brady and Belichick is the Ravens. Two years ago, the Ravens beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, 28-13, en route to winning the Super Bowl. Another thing working in favor of the Ravens is quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco has thrown 17 touchdowns and only one interception in his last seven playoff games. According to ESPN, the Patriots are 12-3 in the playoffs since 2001, but they are just 1-2 against the Ravens. If there is a team that can beat the Patriots in January, in Foxborough, it's the Ravens. I think Baltimore will make it a close game and it would not surprise me at all if they won, however, I'm picking New England. Patriots 27, Ravens 24. 

SEATTLE over Carolina (Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC): The Arizona Cardinals were only able to muster 78 total yards of offense against the Carolina Panthers last week and yet, they were still in the game in the fourth quarter. Three Carolina turnovers and numerous mistakes by the Panthers kept the Cardinals in the game even with Ryan Lindley looking like a Double-A quarterback. The Panthers played great defensively and Jonathan Stewart ran the ball effectively, but they cannot make mistakes against the Seahawks in Seattle on Saturday night or their season will be over. The Seahawks have the number one rushing attack and the number one defense in the NFL and that along with them being at home, will be the difference. I expect a close first half, but for Seattle to run away with it in the second half as they continue their quest to defend their Super Bowl crown. Seahawks 33, Panthers 17. 

GREEN BAY over Dallas (Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET, FOX): Tony Romo vs. Aaron Rodgers. Albeit a hurt Aaron Rodger, but nonetheless, arguably the best two quarterbacks in the NFL this season will face off on the frozen tundra, Lambeau Field, on Sunday afternoon. If Aaron Rodgers was 100% healthy, I think the Packers would undoubtably win this game. However, Rodgers calf injury is not fully healed and if he is unable to move around outside the pocket, then the Packers are in trouble. We all know how good the Cowboys are on offense and how well DeMarco Murry and Tony Romo have played this season, so it would not surprise me at all if the Cowboys went into Lambeau and won. When Rodgers is healthy, the Packers have the best offense in the league, in my opinion, and even with Rodgers hurt, I like the Packers in this one. Packers 31, Cowboys 30. 

DENVER over Indianapolis (Sunday, 4:40 p.m. ET, CBS): Peyton Manning vs. his old team, the Indianapolis Colts. Manning has not played well the past few weeks, call it old age or maybe he's hurt and we don't know it, but Peyton has not looked the same. The Broncos do have some advantages going into this weekend that will help Manning. Denver is 8-0 at home this season and they have had two weeks to get healthy and prepare. Historically, Manning has done very when has extra time to prepare and I think that will be the difference. The Colts have played well this season and Andrew Luck has been leathal throwing the ball, but Denver has a very good defense and the Colts will face much tougher competition this week than they did last week against the injury riddled Bengals. Luck and the Colts offense will kepp it close, but I can't pick against Manning and a good Broncos team in the playoffs. Broncos 34, Colts 27. 

Last Week: 1-3
Playoffs: 1-3
Overall: 183-76-1