Playoff Predictions- Divisional Weekend

[Landshark]

One thing's for sure.  This is definitely a wild Wild Card weekend (pun intended).  The Redskins, Seahawks, Colts, and Vikings are what make it wild.  I'll bet that there aren't too many fans who, at the beginning of the season, thought that these four teams would still be playing at this point.  Here are my predictions:

Ravens at Broncos- The Ravens defense shut down a good quarterback in Andrew Luck... in front of their home crowd.  Now they face one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game in Peyton Manning.... in front of a hostile crowd in the thin air.  Denver's defense is just as talented and stifling as Baltimore's.  And Joe Flacco is no Peyton Manning.     

Prediction:  Broncos    


Texans at Patriots- Houston's offense struggled mightily to beat Cincinnati.  Despite outplaying the Bengals in nearly every facet of the game, the Texans won by a small margin.  While you have to give credit to the Texans defense for shutting down AJ Green and harassing Andy Dalton, they will not be able to do the same against Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez, and The Gronk.

Prediction: Patriots


Packers at Niners- Aaron Rodgers struggled mightily in the season opener in San Francisco.  I'm sure he will have a fire in his belly to exact revenge.  Considering he has improved tremendously since his slow start to open the season, I'm sure this game will be a lot closer.  However, Colin Kaepernick brings an added dimension to the Niners attack that the Packers will not be able to contain.  This game will be a lot closer than the season opener, but the home crowd tips the scales.

Prediction: Niners


Seahawks at Falcons  The Seahawks had trouble stopping RGIII, until he re-injured his knee and could not do what he does best.  Matt Ryan is fully healthy, in front of his home crowd, and has some dangerous targets downfield in Julio Jones and Roddy White.  Add two talented running backs to pound the ball and it will be too much for Seattle to handle, even with Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch leading the charge.

Prediction: Falcons

[EKnight]

Coming off my 4-0 start, I'm picking: Ravens, Pats, Pack, Seahawks. -EK

[BigDaddyFin]

Denver, NE, Sea, GB

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Ravens, NE, 49rs, falcons

[Brian Fein]

Green Bay is the only road team worth a crap.

ATL, GB, Den, NE

[EKnight]

Really surprised that Seattle isn't getting more love. They go on the road and down 14-0 at the end of the first don't seem rattled or intimidated in the least. Their defense is the best of the remaining teams, IMO, and Marshawn doesn't appear to be able to be brought down by less than three defenders. I seriously haven't seen someone run like he does in a long time. I know Washington finished the game with no RG3, but he doesn't play defense. If Lynch doesn't fumble twice, they may have won by 20+. I don't see him turning it over like that again. -EK

[Brian Fein]

Personally, I think Seattle is garbage.  But that's just me.  Smoke and Mirrors.  When did Marshawn Lynch, the bum-ass-bum that couldn't even see the field in Buffalo, become a stud? 

Their defense is above average - NOT even close to the best left.  San Fran, Denver, Baltimore, and maybe Atlanta are all better units. 

Washington handed them that game.  They shouldn't even be this far.  They'll be exposed this week by the NFC #1 seed.

[bsmooth]

Really surprised that Seattle isn't getting more love. They go on the road and down 14-0 at the end of the first don't seem rattled or intimidated in the least. Their defense is the best of the remaining teams, IMO, and Marshawn doesn't appear to be able to be brought down by less than three defenders. I seriously haven't seen someone run like he does in a long time. I know Washington finished the game with no RG3, but he doesn't play defense. If Lynch doesn't fumble twice, they may have won by 20+. I don't see him turning it over like that again. -EK

That same defense that lost to Miami, and barely beat St. Louis last week. They are not consistent. They go from being dominant, to mediocre. Not the top defense left.

[EKnight]

Above average? Inconsistent? They were 4th in yards allowed, led the league in points against, top 10 in INTs, and top 5 in forced fumbles. I think that's a bit better than "average." Their last five games they've outscored it's opponents 194-57. That's an avg of right at 4 TD's per game. Seriously, does this board just poo poo on every team that's not Miami? Or do you guys just not watch any other teams? -EK

[miamid45]

Above average? Inconsistent? They were 4th in yards allowed, led the league in points against, top 10 in INTs, and top 5 in forced fumbles. I think that's a bit better than "average." Their last five games they've outscored it's opponents 194-57. That's an avg of right at 4 TD's per game. Seriously, does this board just poo poo on every team that's not Miami? Or do you guys just not watch any other teams? -EK

They have been really really good on both sides of the ball the last half of the season.  They are a punishing team and will give Atlanta all they can handle next weekend.  Really think that wilson was the pick of the draft...good head on his shoulders with RG3 type speed...(did you see that block he made on their TD?)  Very very imporessed with this kid!

Seattle struggled in Miami against a combination of our defence being very good and playing in the South Florida heat...same goes for the St.Louis game.

[Landshark]

Seattle's best pass rusher, Chris Clemons tore his ACL yesterday. 

[Dave Gray]

I am also 4-0 in the first week.

Broncos, Patriots, Packers, Seahawks

[EKnight]

I am also 4-0 in the first week.

Broncos, Patriots, Packers, Seahawks

Good job Dave! -EK

[Dave Gray]

@EK   --   Go Broncos!?!?

That's all we differ this week.

[Brian Fein]

Above average? Inconsistent? They were 4th in yards allowed, led the league in points against, top 10 in INTs, and top 5 in forced fumbles. I think that's a bit better than "average." Their last five games they've outscored it's opponents 194-57. That's an avg of right at 4 TD's per game. Seriously, does this board just poo poo on every team that's not Miami? Or do you guys just not watch any other teams? -EK

See, that's just it - I WATCH games.  Every team.  Know what I don't do?  Look at stats.  Don't care.  I watch games.  I see what teams are good at and what teams are not good at.  I am pretty sure Seattle, while they have may have a decent defense, could get torched by MOST of the other 7 teams remaining.