Divisional Round Preview!

After a very exciting Wild-Card round. Were off to the divisional round. where all match ups will be exciting, and physicall. Anything could/will happen.

Saints @ 49ers  (Saturday 4:30pm EST)

Without a doubt this is the toughest game to pick this week, but I'm going to go with San Francisco.

The 49ers finished the regular season at 13-3, which was a seven game improvement from last year. It was all done under a new coach, and a QB struggling to find his place in the NFL. San Francisco also has the leagues 2nd ranked Defense allowing 14 ppg, 16th versus the pass, and first versus the run. With Patrick Willis healthy, stud Navarro Bowman, Justin Smith, and Aldon Smith in company. The Saints are going to have a tough time running past San Fran's front seven. The 49ers were in the middle of the pack in pass defense this season, however Carlos Rogers was tied for fourth in the league in interceptions, and Tarell Brown (#25) was tied for 13th in pass deflections.

He conquered the record, and the Lions, but
San Frans forecast doesn't include a Brees.

Drew Brees threw for 466 yards last week versus the Detroit Lions defense. A defense which was ranked 23rd overall, and 22nd against the pass. No way that happens again this week, if San Francisco can force an interception or two, Brees will be off his game. Alex Smith has proven he can make plays when need be, which is why Jim Harbaugh gave him another chance in the first place, and he still remains the starter. The 49ers were 4-1 against playoff teams this season beating the Bengals, Giants, Steelers, and Lions with their only loss coming against the #2 seed in the AFC the Baltimore Ravens. Not to mention San Francisco has the best punter in the league in Andy Lee, and probably the best special teams in the league starting with Andy Lee (P), David (K) Akers, and Tedd Ginn Jr (KR).

Note: David Akers set the scoring record this year for kickers, with 44 field goals made (52 attempts,) and 165 points.


But what really lead me to pick the 49ers over a boiling hot Saints team was, New Orleans loss last year to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild-Card round. The Seahawks had backed in to the post season last year, winning the west with a record of 7-9. They had bounced back and fourth between an injured 35 year old Matt Hasselbeck and an unproven Charlie Whitehurst. Marshawn Lynch had been a Seahawk for only a number of weeks, and NOBODY had the Seahawks beating a hot Saints team. A Saints team in which you could argue was just as hot last year as they are this year. Winning 7 of their last 9 games (4 of which came against playoff teams, and Drew Brees had fallen a mear 30 yards shy of Dan Marinos all time passing record in a single season (in which Brees eclipsed this year.) In a game that was in Seattle the Saints lost 41-36, coming off of Matt Hasselbecks 4 touchdown passes, and Marshawn Lynches 131 yards.

This years Saints team has won 9 in a row, and has to travel 1,920 miles west to Candlestick park (where we don't know how long the lights will stay on.) New Orleans hasn't been a great road team this season. In fact all three of their losses came on the road to the Packers, Rams, and Buccaneers.

What does this years Alex Smith and last years Matt Hasselbeck have in common? Last year Matt Hasselbeck threw for 3,001 yards, this years Alex Smith threw for 3,144. Last years Matt Hasselbeck threw for 18 touchdowns, while this years Alex Smith had 17. Last years Matt Hasselbeck threw 18 interceptions, while this years Alex Smith only has five. These stats are very similar, and I put it up here for the people who think Alex Smith has no chance in hell in winning this football game. As I said before Alex Smith can make the big play when needed to, and going against the NFL's 30th ranked passing defense I'm expecting it, but the most important thing is he's very good at not turning the ball over.

This is why I like the 49ers on Saturday. However even with the case being made for San Francisco, I definitely would not bet against Drew Brees. Brees is a former super bowl champion, while Alex Smith is just making his first postseason start as are most of the rest of this young 49er team.

Bottom line! I'm not counting the Saints out, their to hot, and to good to count them out. The second ranked Saints offense clashes against the second ranked 49er defense. See you Saturday.


Denver @ New England (Saturday 8:00 EST)

Pause for a minute....From week four of the season who would of thought that the BT: (Before Tebow) 1-4 Denver Broncos would be playing the Patriots in the playoffs??

Tim Tebow and credit to "Tebow Mania" literally carried this team into the playoffs since that week 4 mark. With that the Broncos defense stepped up, and their run game has been huge factor.

The Broncos have all the momentum coming into this game, and sometimes momentum is all it takes.

 It's what carried the 2007 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants through their tough playoff run. All the way to beat the NFL Record 18-0 Patriots. That team was great! In my opinion one of the best super bowls of all time. The Giants had every aspect working for them.

This years Broncos do as well starting with their run game, defense, the quarterback, and special teams. Their potential to beat the Patriots this week is incredibly high! In fact I believe the Denver Broncos have a better chance of beating the Patriots this week, then the Saints do of beating the 49ers. #YeaISaidIt.

Week 15 Patriots 41 Broncos 23. This time their
In Foxborough.

They have a higher chance, but its still not happening.

The New England Patriots have to much experience, Their playing at Gillette Stadium, Tom Brady is playing better than ever, and Bill Belichick knows how to work the run game. Tom Brady isn't going to let this potential MVP season go to waste like the last four. (Brady is win less in last four playoff starts). It sounds ironic, but it's not happening. Brady's decade of playoff dominance isn't over.

Was it even announced this year that along with Drew Brees, Tom Brady also beat Marinos single season passing record of 5,084? He smashed it with 5,235 yards this season. 39 touchdowns 12 interceptions to come with a 105.6 QB rating. Look I'm not praising any of these quarterbacks because that's just not my style. It's just the facts. The New England Patriots will emerge victorious Saturday night, and will be on their way to Gillette stadium for the AFC Championship game.

As for Tim Tebow, his future will remain with the Broncos. Their will be a explicitly high amount of questions weather John Fox, and Elway quote "Will be sold on Tebow long term." But there is just NO WAY Tebow is going anywhere. I, as well as you should ignore all of it. Regardless of a loss, Tim Tebow will be the Denver Broncos LONG TERM Starter.

John Elway may be a stubborn GM, but there's
no way he can/is passing up this opportunity.

Bold Prediction: The Denver Broncos will make the playoffs at least 3 times out of the next five years, WITH Tim Tebow.




Houston @ Baltimore (Sunday 1:00)

Besides the awful timing of this game, we have a good matchup ahead of us. Seriously though who wants to watch a 1:00 playoff game. Please fix this next year NFL.

Baltimore is a 7 1/2 point favortie for this game, and that seems just about right. Being a Baltimore fan, and just living in Maryland. This game has so much hype to it words can't even explain it. M&T Bank Stadium might actually shake on Sunday. Terrell Suggs told the media today that "this is the best ravens team he has ever been a part of'." That lets me know right there that the Texans have no chance at winning this football game. Players are getting involved with the fans via twitter, facebook, and the community. Which creates great chemistry with the fans, and the team. It's Balimores time, and there not looking back.

Before I get to the Texans let me throw some stats at you. Ravens 8-0 at home, Joe Flacco 44-20 (4-3) in the postseason (first home playoff game). Flacco is the first QB to lead a team into the playoffs four years in a row (stat dates back to his rookie year.) Terrell Suggs 3 time AFC defensive player of the week, December's defensive player of the month, 14 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. Easily a top canidate for defensive player of the year. I could go on, but those alone are key in why Baltimore will win this game.

Houston is a great team, but they have to big of a brick wall in their way. When these two teams played back on week 6 of the regular season. Arian Foster was held to a 49 yards on the ground, in a 29-14 loss. Matt Schaub was also healthy at the time.

The Texans run game, and defense has been what carried this team after Matt Schaub was lost for the season. But with Baltimore having just as good of a D, and their ability to stop the run. The question comes up again. Can T.J. Yates be that guy? Can T.J. Yates throw for 300 yards, pass for 2-4 touchdowns? I don't think he can, and he certainly hasn't been asked to do it either.

I can tell you guys one thing however. Their will be no blowout A.K.A. 42-7. Joe Flacco will show the world..much like Alex Smith did last night. That he is a factor. Believe it!