Well last week didn't go as anyone planned. Especially Andy Dalton. I picked the Bengals to win and it was the only game that I was absolutely sure about. It just goes to show that with all the stats and all the research it doesn't matter. Its playoff time and the hunger for winning far outweighs sheer talent. If a team wants it badly enough then they can beat anyone. Now to add to that. Something that I lost sight of last weekend was that experience is highly valuable in the play offs. We saw that in Philly, KC, and Cincy. The Eagles had a good season but in a win or go home situation they were out played and rookie coach Chip Kelly was out coached by Super bowl winner Sean Payton. In Indianapolis the Colts have a team that is used to winning. Not just last year, but they have a group of veterans left over from the Manning era and the entire franchise is used to winning. I don't know if there is any habit in professional sports more valuable than the habit of winning. The Bengals are losers. Not to speak badly about them, but it's what they know in big games. Andy Dalton is a lot like Tony Romo in the aspect of winning the big game. I don't know if it is pressure or what. He put up career numbers in the regular season, and at home he's played his best. At home Dalton and the Bengals were undefeated until last Sunday. How does a team go undefeated at home all season then lose the one game that means anything in front of their home crowd? There is only one word for it... CHOKE! And its the most embarrassing thing I've seen on an NFL field this season. Now you ask yourself. After this weekend what can we expect this coming Sunday? Well, You can expect the unexpected. The Saints luck will run out and speaking of Luck? You can expect to hear his name for at least one more week. Here are my predictions for the divisional rounds...
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (10-7) @ DENVER BRONCOS (13-3)
San Diego will meet the Broncos in Denver for the third time. The season series is tied (1-1). It will be the ultimate tie breaker, winner goes home. The last time that these teams met it was in Denver and the Chargers pulled off the upset while limiting the Broncos to their lowest offensive output of the season. Phillip Rivers didn't have to do much against the Bengals. He didn't make any mistakes and played a good football game. But he will be the focal point of this Chargers team if they want to shock the world and win this week. Ryan Mathews will have success running in Denver and usually that means that the holes in the secondary open up leaving Rivers to take advantage. I think this game will be high scoring on both sides. Both teams rank in the bottom five in the NFL in passing yards allowed. So the key for this game is what ever defense can make the stops. San Diego's defense has been great while on their improbable run. In four of their last six games they've held opponents to 20 points or less. But the Broncos mission is clear. Its Super Bowl or bust. Peyton Manning has been on a tear all season. We know about the records on offense. What the Broncos need is for their defense to show up. What's troubling about Denver is that all three of their losses have been against the same teams that are still very much alive and well in the AFC playoffs. But the Broncos will be ready this Sunday. You will see the Chargers pumped up at the beginning of the game. They will probably even score an early Td and take the lead in the first QT. But by late 2nd Quarter, P. MANNING will find his groove and his team will settle down. It will be close going into halftime. But in the third quarter, Manning and the Broncos will be focused. Last week the Chargers defense allowed 343 pass yards by Andy Dalton and had two interceptions. If Manning has at least 300 yards he'll have three tds to go with it. San Diego has to be more aggressive, take chances and capitalize more on mistakes. But the Chargers won't be able to make a comeback. In the 2nd half of the fourth quarter the game will be out of reach and the Broncos will be one win away from the Super Bowl.
My Final: Den 49 - SD 31
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(13-4) @ CAROLINA PANTHERS(12-4)
The Niners squeaked out a 23-20 victory in Green Bay last week. They did it in typical, 49er fashion by a strong running game starting with Kaepernick. He had 98 yards on seven rushes and a score. SFs defense held GB to just 20 points. The Niners proved that they can stop any offense in any stadium across the country. The Carolina Panthers will be in for it this weekend. The Panthers don't have the offensive fire power that GB has so it will be interesting as they match up. Carolina's winning and losing depends on its defense. Its pretty much been that way all year. If they can't find a way to stop Kaepernick and his receivers then it will be a long day. One thing is for sure, if the Niners want to win they will have to do it through the air. That's been the only success teams have had against the Panthers. They have only allowed four rushing tds all season. And when I say teams that had success I mean The New Orleans Saints. I think with the receivers that the Niners have they could easily create the same problems for the Panthers. Watch for SF to stray away from their run game just a little. They will have to be more aggressive to win. Last time these teams met SF lost by one point after kicking three field goals and being limited to just nine points. Kaepernick has the talent to throw the ball for 300 yards. He's got to trust himself and his receivers. If the passing lanes open up then it will also open up the holes for Kaepernick to run. In this game of defensive juggernauts, it will be up to which offense can move the ball better. Carolina has lacked playmakers all season. In the first match up between these two the Niners were without WR MICHAEL CRABTREE. He will be the difference maker in this one. The Niners have won seven in a row and in that streak only one team has scored more then twenty points. Similarly, the Panthers have won 11 of their last twelve and only the Saints who scored 31, have scored more then 20. But SF has been here before. This will be Cam Newton‘s, and many of the Panthers first playoff game. And like a week ago I’m taking the team that has the experience and that’s the Niners.
My final SF 24 - 20
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(12-5) @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(13-3)
The Saints were able to do what they haven’t done best. Win on the road. Brees still struggled by throwing two interceptions and Jimmy Graham was also held in check as the Saints won 26 - 24. This week they will travel to Seattle an take on the Seahawks for the second time this year. The first time around the Saints had their worst game of the season and the reason for that is this. The Seahawks defense is just that good. They have 28 interceptions and they hold opposing QBs to an average rating of 63.4. The lowest rating in the league. What the Saints do so well is exactly what the Seahawks defend even better. The only bit of success against the Seahawks were when opponents pounded the ball up the middle with a big physical back. The Saints strong suit is not their running game. Mark Ingram will have his work cut out for him if the Saints try to use him to wear down the defense. Its hard to fathom the Saints playing two good games on the road in a row. Last week they got lucky that Philly couldn’t do more. The Seahawks will make sure that if Drew Brees makes a mistake it will turn into points for the Seahawks. The Saints don’t match up well at all against the Seahawks. Seattle has an answer for every one of New Orleans weapons. It might not be as lopsided as it was six weeks ago but its not going to be pretty for the Saints. Congrats on the season, and good luck next year Brees.
My final Sea 30 - 17
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (10-7) @ DENVER BRONCOS (13-3)
San Diego will meet the Broncos in Denver for the third time. The season series is tied (1-1). It will be the ultimate tie breaker, winner goes home. The last time that these teams met it was in Denver and the Chargers pulled off the upset while limiting the Broncos to their lowest offensive output of the season. Phillip Rivers didn't have to do much against the Bengals. He didn't make any mistakes and played a good football game. But he will be the focal point of this Chargers team if they want to shock the world and win this week. Ryan Mathews will have success running in Denver and usually that means that the holes in the secondary open up leaving Rivers to take advantage. I think this game will be high scoring on both sides. Both teams rank in the bottom five in the NFL in passing yards allowed. So the key for this game is what ever defense can make the stops. San Diego's defense has been great while on their improbable run. In four of their last six games they've held opponents to 20 points or less. But the Broncos mission is clear. Its Super Bowl or bust. Peyton Manning has been on a tear all season. We know about the records on offense. What the Broncos need is for their defense to show up. What's troubling about Denver is that all three of their losses have been against the same teams that are still very much alive and well in the AFC playoffs. But the Broncos will be ready this Sunday. You will see the Chargers pumped up at the beginning of the game. They will probably even score an early Td and take the lead in the first QT. But by late 2nd Quarter, P. MANNING will find his groove and his team will settle down. It will be close going into halftime. But in the third quarter, Manning and the Broncos will be focused. Last week the Chargers defense allowed 343 pass yards by Andy Dalton and had two interceptions. If Manning has at least 300 yards he'll have three tds to go with it. San Diego has to be more aggressive, take chances and capitalize more on mistakes. But the Chargers won't be able to make a comeback. In the 2nd half of the fourth quarter the game will be out of reach and the Broncos will be one win away from the Super Bowl.
My Final: Den 49 - SD 31
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(13-4) @ CAROLINA PANTHERS(12-4)
The Niners squeaked out a 23-20 victory in Green Bay last week. They did it in typical, 49er fashion by a strong running game starting with Kaepernick. He had 98 yards on seven rushes and a score. SFs defense held GB to just 20 points. The Niners proved that they can stop any offense in any stadium across the country. The Carolina Panthers will be in for it this weekend. The Panthers don't have the offensive fire power that GB has so it will be interesting as they match up. Carolina's winning and losing depends on its defense. Its pretty much been that way all year. If they can't find a way to stop Kaepernick and his receivers then it will be a long day. One thing is for sure, if the Niners want to win they will have to do it through the air. That's been the only success teams have had against the Panthers. They have only allowed four rushing tds all season. And when I say teams that had success I mean The New Orleans Saints. I think with the receivers that the Niners have they could easily create the same problems for the Panthers. Watch for SF to stray away from their run game just a little. They will have to be more aggressive to win. Last time these teams met SF lost by one point after kicking three field goals and being limited to just nine points. Kaepernick has the talent to throw the ball for 300 yards. He's got to trust himself and his receivers. If the passing lanes open up then it will also open up the holes for Kaepernick to run. In this game of defensive juggernauts, it will be up to which offense can move the ball better. Carolina has lacked playmakers all season. In the first match up between these two the Niners were without WR MICHAEL CRABTREE. He will be the difference maker in this one. The Niners have won seven in a row and in that streak only one team has scored more then twenty points. Similarly, the Panthers have won 11 of their last twelve and only the Saints who scored 31, have scored more then 20. But SF has been here before. This will be Cam Newton‘s, and many of the Panthers first playoff game. And like a week ago I’m taking the team that has the experience and that’s the Niners.
My final SF 24 - 20
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(12-5) @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(13-3)
The Saints were able to do what they haven’t done best. Win on the road. Brees still struggled by throwing two interceptions and Jimmy Graham was also held in check as the Saints won 26 - 24. This week they will travel to Seattle an take on the Seahawks for the second time this year. The first time around the Saints had their worst game of the season and the reason for that is this. The Seahawks defense is just that good. They have 28 interceptions and they hold opposing QBs to an average rating of 63.4. The lowest rating in the league. What the Saints do so well is exactly what the Seahawks defend even better. The only bit of success against the Seahawks were when opponents pounded the ball up the middle with a big physical back. The Saints strong suit is not their running game. Mark Ingram will have his work cut out for him if the Saints try to use him to wear down the defense. Its hard to fathom the Saints playing two good games on the road in a row. Last week they got lucky that Philly couldn’t do more. The Seahawks will make sure that if Drew Brees makes a mistake it will turn into points for the Seahawks. The Saints don’t match up well at all against the Seahawks. Seattle has an answer for every one of New Orleans weapons. It might not be as lopsided as it was six weeks ago but its not going to be pretty for the Saints. Congrats on the season, and good luck next year Brees.
My final Sea 30 - 17
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