NFL Predictions - Divisional Round

DIVISION WEEK PREDICTIONS

XENA AND TANNER CHEW ON THE PLAYOFF GAMES

Well, here we are at the best weekend in Sports (IMO), the NFL divisional round.  On paper the AFC games should present Denver and the Pats a chance to tune up before the game everybody wants to see next weekend.  The NFC games are on paper more intriguing contests with the oddsmakers giving just the home field nod to the Niners and the Falcons.

Ravens@ Broncos -- I am a little concerned for the Broncos that the cold weather will equalize the talent advantage they have over the Ravens, but I still like the Broncos.  The Bronco DBs match up well with the Raven wideouts.  I don't see Ray Rice going off against the Broncos.  The Ravens best shot is to take the air out of the game and keep Manning off the field -- if Baltimore falls behind early they are in deep dodo.  I like the Broncos something like 24-16.

Packers @ Niners - When these two teams played in week one you kind of had the sense that we could see a rematch in the playoffs.  The Packers are playing better of late -- more balanced contributions between offense and defense.  My concern for the Packers is that the Niner pass rush and ground game will negate the opportunities Rogers has to make big plays by:  Pressuring him into a more dink passing game and by controlling TOP.  Kaepernick is a wild card but I think his athletic skills take away some of the benefit of a healthy Matthews at LB for Green Bay.  Game could go either way but I like the Niners 24-23.

Texans@Patriots - Remember two years ago when the Pats killed the Jets 45-3 in the regular season and then lost 28-21 at home in the divisional playoff round?  Here is something else:  I heard a stat today that said there have been 22 rematches in the playoffs between teams where one team had crushed the other by 28 points or more during the regular season (The Pats demolished the Texans 42-14 in week fourteen).  Of these 22 times the team that won during the regular season is just 500 in the playoff rematch.  Does that mean Houston has a chance?  Like the Ravens, the heavy dog Texans need to control the TOP.  They got behind big early in the regular season and were never a factor.  I don't think New England has as easy a time, but I can't see the Texans stopping the many-headed Patriot attack.  I say New England 31-17.

Hawks@ Falcons - The Falcons had their hands full with the mobile Cam Newton this year -- he put 700+ yards of passing and running on the Falcons in two meetings.  Now they face the mobile Russell Wilson who seems to get better each week.  Seattle is the hot team and the 13-3 falcons seem to get little love.  I know Seattle has the better defense and a surging Marshawn Lynch.  Still, Atlanta is the more veteran team and I think that will be the difference.  The Falcons need this game in the worst way to shake off the ghosts of recent playoff failures.  The Seahawks took some body shots in Washington last week and fell behind 14-0 early.  I look for the Falcons to come out sharp and for the Hawks to have to play catch up again.  That is a dangerous way to live in the playoffs.  I like the Falcons 27-20.