NFL Playoffs-2nd Round Predictions

Pop Culture Badger is back, and I'm bringing my predictions for the 4 divisional round playoff games that are set to kick off this weekend. I went 3-1 last week and should have gone 4-0, but RGIII's leg disintegrated on national TV twice, after leading the Redskins to a 14-0 advantage(Word is RGIII maybe out for the entire 2013 season. Sorry 'Skins fans). My picks for the scores last week were quite a ways off, as the weekend was filled with surprisingly low scoring games from some of the most high powered offenses in the league. I cant let that sway me this week. I've just got to go with my gut. Without further adieu, here we go!


Saturday @ 3:30 PM CT

Balitmore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos

Ray Lewis and Co. travel to the Mile High City to take on roboneck himself, Peyton Manning, and the suddenly unstoppable passing attack of the Denver Broncos. The second round of the playoffs is always tough to judge as you have the first set of teams who have had almost two weeks to practice and gameplan for the visitors. Occasionally this absolutely backfires and the home team gets demolished(See NY Giants vs. GB Packers in january of 2012).

I dont foresee a let down by the Bronco's in this game. With Manning, you have one of the greatest QB's EVER whose been in virtually every situation possible. There is literally no game situation you can throw at him that he hasn't seen before. Throw in Denver's defense which is arguably the best he's ever played with and you have one of the toughest teams around.

Baltimore on the other hand had to play last week and needed a nigh-perfect game from shaky Joe Flacco to win. Add in the fact that Baltimore probably used up all of the feel good mojo from Ray Lewis' impending retirement to offset the "Chuckstrong" mojo from Indy. Denver's favored by 10 which feels about right considering all the mitigating factors. Denver win's handily.

Prediction:

Denver 30, Baltimore 13


Saturday @ 7 PM CT

Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers

By far the biggest and most evenly matched game of the week, Packers vs. 49er's marks the return of Aaron Rodger's to his home state(A fact that will be brought up at least 100 times in the pregame alone). The Packer's will be looking to avenge the 1st week schellacking San Fran layed down on the Packers at Lambeau.

Last week the Pack, playing at full strength for the 1st time in months vs the Vikings, were able to contain Adrian Peterson and thusly won handily. Thanks must be given to Minnesota's QB replacement, Joe Webb, who could not have played worse. Outside of a throwaway TD late in the game, GB would have won by three scores which would have been the biggest blowout of the playoffs.

San Francisco will be down one of their best defensive players, Justin Smith, who has a torn tricep. He may still play, but will definitely not be at full strength. Considering the erratic play of the Packers' offensive line this definitely is a late christmas gift for the Pack. Helming the 49er's offense will be late season replacement QB, Colin Kaepernick who is a run and gun QB in the mold of Michael Vick or RGIII. He replaced the more traditional pocket QB San Fran started the season with, Alex Smith. On the bright side for San Fran, Kaepernick has had several weeks to get acclimated to being a starter while also playing several top of the line teams(New England, Seattle). On the downside, this will be Kaepernick's first playoff start and he'll be competing against one of the top 2 or 3 QB's in the league in Aaron Rodgers.

With the return of Charles Woodson, as well as most of the Packer's original starting lineup, as stated before, GB is not only at full strength but is also motivated to even the score from week 1. Close game, but GB pulls it out in the end.

Prediction:

Green Bay 27, San Francisco 24


Sunday @ 12 PM CT

Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons

Its the Bird Bowl! On one side, Seattle, the most over-hyped bandwagon team of recent memory, vs the Falcons, the first #1 seed in several years that has gotten virtually no respect. Both teams are down dominating defensive players; Chris Clemons for Seattle and John Abrams for Atlanta.

Seattle, even with the loss of Clemons, is fielding the best defense left in the playoffs, while Atlanta's offense can still put up HUGE numbers thanks to one of the most loaded passing team's with Matt Ryan tossing balls to Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez. This game will depend on who break's first.

As much as it pains me to write this, Seattle at this point does look unstoppable. They've got definitive edges at virtually every important position and have momentum on their side. In most games, having homefield advantage would help a team's cause, but Atlanta is notorious for having some of the worst pro fan's in the league.

Still, Atlanta is favored by 3 so Las Vegas see's something in Atlanta that the rest of us are missing. Putting prejudices aside, I can't see how Atlanta pulls this one out. I see a close game early, until Seattle pulls away ensuring a Seattle vs. Green Bay rematch in the NFC Championship.

Prediction:

Seattle 30, Atlanta 14


Sunday @ 3:30 PM CT

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots


In a game between the AFC's future(Houston) versus the AFC's dominating past(New England), the second weekend of the NFL playoffs ends with what should be an entertaining slugfest.

Houston disappointed some fans, myself included, with a rather pedestrian effort against Cincinnati, which they could have easily blown if not for an equally inept performance by the Bengals. Houston has stars on both sides of the ball, but must face the fact that their QB, Matt Schaub, still has yet to prove himself as an elite level player. Too often, his throws are offline or his poor decision making leads to untimely turnovers, which are both extremely detrimental to a teams chances once the playoffs arrive.

New England still has Tom Brady and Bill Belichick leading the way, but as both get older, their window for another Super Bowl win closes a little more. The Patriots, as evident by their curb-stomping of the Texans on Dec. 10th to the tune of 42-14, can still dominate quality teams if everything breaks right, but lest we forget the same Patriots team lost to the Arizona Cardinals who were by far one of the worst teams this year.

More often than not, the Patriots played quality, mistake free football this season, which does not bode well for the Texans. As a dome team, the Texans will have to travel to Foxboro in mid january and attempt to keep pace with a rested Patriots squad. Patriots are favored by 10 in this one and I see them covering as one too many Schaub misfires lead to unintended New England scores.

Prediction:

New England 28, Houston 17


So if my predictions are correct, Seattle will travel to Green Bay in a rematch of the "Fail Mary" game, while New England travels to Denver to pen another chapter in the Brady vs. Manning storyline. I would say I'm not the only fan that is salivating over a possible final four of those teams. Fingers crossed, I'll see you all next week.

Go Pack!