NFL DIVISIONAL ROUND PREDICTIONS

The bar is open this week to discuss the divisonal round of the NFL playoffs this weekend.  Last weekend ye old tender batted .500 and looks to improve on that record this week. Here we go.....

Saints at 49ers

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints performed their best Detroit stomp last week and tamed the upcoming Lions.  The Saints showed their offense os something to fear and that Greg Williams is again proving he is in another class as a d coordinator.  This week however the Cajun Offensive juggernaut faces its toughest defense all year.  The 49ers are led by the next great backer Patrick Willis and are as stingy a defense as the league has to offer.  Top that with a monster down hill runner in Frank Gore, and this NEW Alex Smith and there is no surprise they were as good as they were this year.  Jim Harbaugh may get coach of the year, but Sean Payton is going to show him how the big boys play.  The niners best defense is their offense.  They need to be succesful running the ball to keep Brees on the sidelines as long as possible.  Unfortunately Greg Williams has a few tricks up his sleeve too...Saints---27 49ers---10

Broncos at Patriots

OK, a friend asked me last week if I had a million dollars would I bet it all on Steelers or keep 500k and bet the other 500k on the Broncos.  I bet all $1mill on Steelers and like the rest of the world watched in utter divine shock!!  The Mile High Messiah did it again!!!!  This time against a real defense and a playoff staple in the Steelers.  He had some help of course as the Denver Broncos D was outstanding in pressuring a gimpy big Ben.  This week is another chance for all of us to wonder if God really is a Broncos fan.  Can The Tebowner pull another miracle out of his crucifix?  Tammy Brady and the Patriots are going to pose a real challenge as they will score, and often.  Bill Bellichek is a sour puss but nobody game plans better than he does...nobody. New England's D is awful though and if the Broncos can put the same pressure on Tammy as they did big Ben this game could be very very close.  Remember in their last meeting the Broncos jumped out to a big lead until they started turning over the ball.  If they erase the turnovers, the Patsy's could have another one and done year...unfortunately I think the credits are about to role on the Tebow Disney movie we all have loved watching...Broncos---24 Patriots---34

Texans at Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are 19-2 at home over the last 2 1/2 seasons  and are undefeated, under John Harbaugh, after a bye week.  They also are unrelenting against rookie QB'S. Add all that up and then mix in a crowd of 75k + that have waited 5 years to erase the last home playoff game debacle and this is the mt Everest of hills for the Texans to climb.  TJ Yates has played well but never in this kind of environment, and Arian Foster only mustered 49 yes on 15 carries when the 2 teams met in week 6.  However the 2nd rated Texans D is playing out of this world, and the match up to watch in this game is JJ Watt vs Michael Other.  If Other doenst lock him down this game will get interesting.  The Ravens are the best team in the AFC when they show up.  They have showed up at home the last 2 years with no problem and will again this week...Texans---13 Ravens---23

Giants at Packers

When the Giants won the Super Bowl in,'07 they lost the last game of the season against the then undefeated Patriots 38-35,and then went on to beat them in the Super Bowl.  This year the Giants lost to then undefeated Green Bay 38-35 hmmmmmmm.  The last time these 2 met in the playoffs was that 07 Super Bowl year for the Giants in the "Tom Coughlins face is gonna fall off" bowl.  The Packers haven't forgotten and are poised to get revenge...EXCEPT the Giants are playing great football and aren't afraid of this years Packers.  They were a blown Jody Nelson coverage away from beating them in the regular season.  This is the only game I am going out on a limb for...Giants---30 Packers---27