NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round

With a fresh slate of classes and CM-Life taking over, today's post is a little short and a little late. Last week's Wildcard Weekend didn't disappoint. All three games proved to be pretty interesting and all the games went the way I picked them. Whoo hoo. This week, it gets a little harder for the teams that tasted victory last week. The Packers head west to take on a 49er team that beat them 30-22 in week one and Baltimore and Denver clash in Peyton's first playoff game as a Bronco. Sunday gives us a battle of the NFC's best and hottest teams in the Atlanta-Seattle game and another blowout rematch in the Texans-Patriots game. Who has a spot in the Conference Championships? Let's find out.

The Baltimore Ravens vs The Denver Broncos 
Who would have thought Denver would have been here a year ago. Of course, when a team adds Peyton Manning to the roster, almost anything can happen. Manning has lead the Broncos by passing for 4,659 and 37 touchdowns which is hardly a shocker. The Bronco defense is the real story for Denver. They only allow an average of 199.6 passing yards per game and 91.1 rushing yards per game. This should be enough to hold the Ravens mediocre offense in check. The Ravens will need RB Ray Rice and QB Joe Flacco to have career days if they want to win. Joe Flacco was able to do this when these two teams face in week 15 by throwiing for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Now the Ravens need Ray Rice need to show up this time.   The once stellar Ravens defense looks like it could be torn up by Manning again this season and I think they will.
According to the NFL on FOX, Manning is 0-3 in playoff games when the temp is below 40 degrees. The forecast calls for a kick off temperature of 19 degrees. Though that is an interesting stat, the Broncos are 7-1 at home and are on an eleven game winning streak. I have the Broncos winning 35-17.

The Green Bay Packers vs The San Francisco 49ers
The outcome of this game falls squarely on the Packer's defense. They need to stop the run for another week. The Packers did a hell of a job containing Adrian Peterson last week and they will need to do the same to Frank Gore this week. It will be a tough task since the 49ers average 155.7 rushing yards per game. San Fran QB Colin Kaepernick will be a great weapon for the 49ers because the Packer's have yet to face him and won't be able to handle his dual threat capability. When all is said and done, the 49ers will slow down Aaron Rodgers and tear up the Packers defense to win 33-20.

The Seattle Seahawks vs The Atlanta Falcons
This will be the first meeting of the season for these two teams which makes for interesting playoff games. The Seahawks will have to use RB Marshawn Lynch to attack a Falcon's defense that allows an average of 123.2 rushing yards per game. Russel Wilson will also help with his ability to make plays on the ground and extend his passing plays. Falcons QB Matt Ryan will have to face a defense that allows an average of 203.1 passing yards per game. The Falcons are also at a disadvantage because they lack in the running game.
I think the Seahawks defense will slow down the one dimensional Atlanta offense and Marshawn Lynch will run rampant on the other side of the ball. I got the Seahawks winning 27-19.

The Houston Texans vs The New England Patriots
This match up doesn't look good for the Houston Texans. Ever since New England their  blasted them 42-14  back in December, I haven't been able to see this team getting to the Superbowl. New England has Tom Brady and the rest of that exciting offense and a defense that can stop the run. That spells danger if you're the Texans. The Texan's one hope is in the passing game. Tight End Owen Daniels is a mismatch and could cause some issues for the Patriot defense.
In the end, I don't have enough faith in the Houston defense. Tom Brady carves them up for a second time this season and leads the Pats to a 29-10 victory.

Thanks for reading!