What a set of games! Let's review and then look forward to this weekend.
Chiefs vs. Colts
Got this one right, but I was sweating at the half. Andrew Luck is simply amazing. He was the difference in this game, that and the ridiculous number of injuries the Chiefs had. The Colts are only scratching the surface...
Saints vs. Eagles
I actually wasn't able to watch this game, but I think the better team won. It was cold, but the weather was good enough for Brees and Payton to do their thing late in the game. Much like Luck, Chip Kelly and his system should scare the crap out of the competition because he's just that good. The Eagles are far ahead of where I thought they'd be. Look out in 2014!
Chargers vs. Bengals
I didn't get this one right, but I'm not surprised why. Andy Dalton doesn't appear to be a good enough QB to take this team to a championship. 1 TD and 6 pics in 3 playoff games are terrible numbers. The Chargers played well enough and took advantage of Dalton and a team that doesn't have the best psychology in crisis. A hard game to watch.
49ers vs. Packers
I was a wreck after this game, but glad my favorite team won. The 49ers are simply a better team than the Packers and ultimately the physical Niners defense played lights out and Kaepernick made enough plays. I didn't love Harbaugh's play calling (not running the ball), but in the end the better team won.
Divisional Round
Saints vs. Seahawks
Winner: Seachickens
I think this game will be truly fascinating to watch. The Saints are heavily emotionally invested in this game given the way Seattle has played them in the past. The questions will be are the Seahawks focused enough to take the Saints seriously and have the Saints made enough adjustments to stifle one of the most physical teams in the league. Ultimately I think the home field advantage and the physicality of the Seahawks overwhelms the Saints and the schemes they come up with. Don't be surprised if the Seahawks are down at the half though. The Saints are going to come with some new tricks up their sleeve, but Pete Carroll makes great half time adjustments on defense and Russell Wilson's psychology in crisis is second only to Brady and Luck.
Colts vs. Pats
Winner: Pats
If you had to watch only one playoff game this weekend (a painful proposition) I'd pick this one. Why? Because these two QBs are as good as it gets in pro football. Both of these rosters are beat up and that puts even more pressure on the QBs. I think this game could hinge on which team runs the ball more effectively. The Colts cannot commit as many turnovers as they did last week and win, but the Pats margin for errors isn't that much wider. An effective running game will allow either team to control the number of snaps the other QB gets. Belichick is a mastermind, but he's never been this limited from a personnel standpoint so I think the Colts can make some plays. In the end I think the Pats make fewer mistakes and one or two more plays to win a close game.
49ers vs. Panthers
Winner: 49ers
Grab the smelling salt because this game is going to be a knockout. Both of these defenses are very physical and both have QBs that can make plays outside the pocket. The 49ers have big game experience and are hungry for revenge. They're also a healthier team from the one the Panthers faced earlier in the season. QBs in their first playoff game aren't usually great, and the Panthers don't have a tradition of playoff excellence, which can help mitigate the playoff learning curve. The Panthers do have the most physically gifted QB the NFL has ever seen, a QB for whom things are really clicking upstairs. I'm going to be watch Cam as much as I can before kick off because I want to see if the maturity he's demonstrated this season continues. Will the Panthers be satisfied with their spectacular end to the regular season? The 49ers couldn't care less about their season ending winning streak and aren't celebrating anything. If Cam and Panthers are too celebratory before things even kick off then I think they get steam rolled. If not, then I think the Panthers' limitations on offense prevent them from keeping up with a Niners team that makes 2-4 more big plays than them. This game could be one sided if the Panthers don't have their minds right.
Chargers vs. Broncos
Winner: Broncos
This game will go as Peyton goes. The Broncos should win this game comfortably, but Manning plays his best in the regular season not the postseason. I think this game could end up being a track meet because Philip Rivers won't be under duress with Von Miller out. This is the type of game the Chargers trash talking QB loves, one where he's supposed to lose to the better team or better QB. The Broncos have got to control the Chargers' running game and make them one dimensional. The mile-high defense is very vulnerable and the Chargers have all the confidence in the world after stealing a win in week 15. If the Broncos offense sputters in the first quarter then they're in trouble. Manning will need things to be just so and the longer the Chargers frustrate him the worse he'll play. Broncos big if they score two TDs in the first half.
If I'm right about these picks then we're in for one hell of a championship weekend! Enjoy the games.
Chiefs vs. Colts
Got this one right, but I was sweating at the half. Andrew Luck is simply amazing. He was the difference in this game, that and the ridiculous number of injuries the Chiefs had. The Colts are only scratching the surface...
Saints vs. Eagles
I actually wasn't able to watch this game, but I think the better team won. It was cold, but the weather was good enough for Brees and Payton to do their thing late in the game. Much like Luck, Chip Kelly and his system should scare the crap out of the competition because he's just that good. The Eagles are far ahead of where I thought they'd be. Look out in 2014!
Chargers vs. Bengals
I didn't get this one right, but I'm not surprised why. Andy Dalton doesn't appear to be a good enough QB to take this team to a championship. 1 TD and 6 pics in 3 playoff games are terrible numbers. The Chargers played well enough and took advantage of Dalton and a team that doesn't have the best psychology in crisis. A hard game to watch.
49ers vs. Packers
I was a wreck after this game, but glad my favorite team won. The 49ers are simply a better team than the Packers and ultimately the physical Niners defense played lights out and Kaepernick made enough plays. I didn't love Harbaugh's play calling (not running the ball), but in the end the better team won.
Divisional Round
Saints vs. Seahawks
Winner: Seachickens
I think this game will be truly fascinating to watch. The Saints are heavily emotionally invested in this game given the way Seattle has played them in the past. The questions will be are the Seahawks focused enough to take the Saints seriously and have the Saints made enough adjustments to stifle one of the most physical teams in the league. Ultimately I think the home field advantage and the physicality of the Seahawks overwhelms the Saints and the schemes they come up with. Don't be surprised if the Seahawks are down at the half though. The Saints are going to come with some new tricks up their sleeve, but Pete Carroll makes great half time adjustments on defense and Russell Wilson's psychology in crisis is second only to Brady and Luck.
Colts vs. Pats
Winner: Pats
If you had to watch only one playoff game this weekend (a painful proposition) I'd pick this one. Why? Because these two QBs are as good as it gets in pro football. Both of these rosters are beat up and that puts even more pressure on the QBs. I think this game could hinge on which team runs the ball more effectively. The Colts cannot commit as many turnovers as they did last week and win, but the Pats margin for errors isn't that much wider. An effective running game will allow either team to control the number of snaps the other QB gets. Belichick is a mastermind, but he's never been this limited from a personnel standpoint so I think the Colts can make some plays. In the end I think the Pats make fewer mistakes and one or two more plays to win a close game.
49ers vs. Panthers
Winner: 49ers
Grab the smelling salt because this game is going to be a knockout. Both of these defenses are very physical and both have QBs that can make plays outside the pocket. The 49ers have big game experience and are hungry for revenge. They're also a healthier team from the one the Panthers faced earlier in the season. QBs in their first playoff game aren't usually great, and the Panthers don't have a tradition of playoff excellence, which can help mitigate the playoff learning curve. The Panthers do have the most physically gifted QB the NFL has ever seen, a QB for whom things are really clicking upstairs. I'm going to be watch Cam as much as I can before kick off because I want to see if the maturity he's demonstrated this season continues. Will the Panthers be satisfied with their spectacular end to the regular season? The 49ers couldn't care less about their season ending winning streak and aren't celebrating anything. If Cam and Panthers are too celebratory before things even kick off then I think they get steam rolled. If not, then I think the Panthers' limitations on offense prevent them from keeping up with a Niners team that makes 2-4 more big plays than them. This game could be one sided if the Panthers don't have their minds right.
Chargers vs. Broncos
Winner: Broncos
This game will go as Peyton goes. The Broncos should win this game comfortably, but Manning plays his best in the regular season not the postseason. I think this game could end up being a track meet because Philip Rivers won't be under duress with Von Miller out. This is the type of game the Chargers trash talking QB loves, one where he's supposed to lose to the better team or better QB. The Broncos have got to control the Chargers' running game and make them one dimensional. The mile-high defense is very vulnerable and the Chargers have all the confidence in the world after stealing a win in week 15. If the Broncos offense sputters in the first quarter then they're in trouble. Manning will need things to be just so and the longer the Chargers frustrate him the worse he'll play. Broncos big if they score two TDs in the first half.
If I'm right about these picks then we're in for one hell of a championship weekend! Enjoy the games.
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