New Orleans @ San Fransico Sat 3:30 Fox
The leagues best offense against the leagues best defense. This is going to be a great matchup tomorrow. The 49ers return to the playoffs after a long divorce from the NFL post-season. It is nice to see a franchise that was once the class of the league finally get back into the ranks of the leagues elite. The New Orleans Saints are another feel good story that has kind of been forgotten because of recent NFL success. It is hard to imagine anyone or anything stopping the unstopable New Orleans offense. However, we often see in the NFL that an unstopable offense can become predictable in the post season and be shut down, just look at the Patriots of 08 for a recent example. It is hard to imagine the Saints score more than 30 against the San Fran defense, however, it is hard to imagine anyone can keep the Saints below 20. So the question comes down to this: Can the 49ers offense generate enough points to win this game? My answer: no.

My prediction: Saints 28-13

Denver @ New England Sat 7:00 CBS
I will start this off by saying that I am still not a Tebow fan. He had a good game at times last Sunday, but I think his performance was more a factor of poor play by the Steelers defense than it was of great play the the Denver offense. With a healthy Rothlisberger, the Steelers win that game. The Patriots controlled the second half of their earlier game against the Broncos in Denver this season. It is hard to imagine a scenario where Belicheck loses to Tebow in Boston, I expect the Patriots to be at their best in this game. No way Tebow wins in New England, not possible.

My Prediction: New England 45-17

Houston @ Baltimore Sun 12:00 CBS
This one should be a good game. Houston is a very good defensive team, and Baltimore is as well. Both teams have real suspect offenses led by suspect quarterbacks. I have to give the nod to the Houston offense in this game, I think they have the better back field. If Baltimore gets solid play out of Joe Flacco, they should find themselves in another AFC Championship game, but if they get suspect play from Flacco, they will find themselves looking down another surprising post season failure. Earlier this season Houston lost in Baltimore with Matt Shaub as their starting quarterback, it is hard to imagine that they could fair better with Yates at QB, even if they have Andre Johnson this time around. I think the Ravens will be inspired by finally having a home playoff game this year, and will play well on Sunday.

My prediction: Ravens 20-13

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers
This one should be much better than people expect. I wrongly picked against the Giants last weekend, I underestimated the Giants. The Packers boast one of the best regular seasons in recent history, however, that has not panned out so well for the those teams in recent history as well. Last year the Packers over-achieved on their way to the superbowl. The Giants have been here before, on the road in a hostile place against a team they have no shot against on paper. I think the NY defensive line can make Rodgers uncomfortable in the pocket and can frustrate him like the Kansas City defense did. I also have very little faith in the Green Bay defense right now, Eli Manning should be able to make some plays against this Packers defense. It is very hard to pick against Rodgers after the past 12 months that he has had. The Packers clearly were the best team in the league this year, however, it is the playoffs now and that means it is a new season.

My prediction: Giants 34-27

 

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I hope you are right.

That would mean the NFC Championship would be played in the Mercedes Benz Super Dome.

 

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Went 4-0 last week. Going with the 49ers, Patriots, Ravens and Packers.

All season I have refused to believe in the 49ers, but again there has to be one upset and I can't talk myself into any of the other dogs this week. 9ers are at home and are built to beat teams like the saints and more importantly, no one is giving them a chance in this game. So the unthinkable happens, Alex Smith beats Drew Brees.

As I expected, injuries finally caught up with the Steelers last week and Tebow Magic exposed them. I like this matchup a lot for Tebow but I just don't think the broncos defense will be able to stop Tom Brady enough times.

Its too bad the Texans don't have Schaub or Mario Williams right now. I think they would have won the AFC. Its also a travesty that none of their o-line was voted into the pro bowl. They are without a doubt the best line in the league. Ravens win in the home playoff game they've waited so long to get.

Picking the Packers simply because I can't imagine them being a one and done team this year.

 

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Not going to make score predictions.

Saints - Saints are my SB team, so I'll continue riding them. I don't think the 49ers will be able to slow down the Saints all that much. The Saints have a very balanced offense unlike the Packers and Patriots. And the Saints go on long scoring drives, due to that running game. The Saints have been overlooked for much of the year and boast the best offense imo and a defense that is good enough to keep them in games. I think it will be something like a 10-14pt game. But if the 49ers turn the ball over it will be a blow out.

Patriots - Nothing against Tebow, but I don't think their team is even close to the level of the remaining AFC teams. The Steelers really struggled in December due to injuries. The Broncos boast one of the best o-lines in the league, but the Patriots have a habit of confusing opposing teams.

Houston - Both teams are mirrors of one another. I don't trust Flacco one bit. And I just like Houston better.

Giants - Picking couple upsets. I don't think the Packers are going to make it to the SB this year. If they beat the Giants I don't see the Saints losing to them again. I like the Giants chances in this game. They have a strong pass rush and the offense is getting the running game going.

 

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i hate score assumptions, so wont do them...im here in the steel mill today and we all have our bets.

i actually carry around our betting notepad to keep track of all the bets we have here in the mill.

im picking SF and NE today...although im Denver beats Brady and Co. also taking the Ravens over the Texans and i think GB media blitz ends tomorrow against the Giants.

 

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First game going how I figured it would with one exception: New Orleans turnovers. I almost commented on my write up that the x-factor would be how many turnovers the 49ers defense could get, since that would help generate some offense. That is exactly what has happened in this game, most of the 49er offense has been generated by Saints turnovers. I picked the Saints cause I didnt think the 49ers could generate enough offense to match the Saints in this game, but the turnovers really put the Saints in a hole.

 

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Brees brought them back to win the game and the defense let them down. But the turnovers dug that hole. Otherwise it would have been a blow out. The special teams turnovers were the most baffling to me.

I was impressed with the 49ers defense. They were giving 1000% on nearly every play in the first half. They were flying to the ball and making good tackles. They were tired in the 4th quarter. The one thing I was disappointed with was the spearing on the 49ers part. Knocking Pierre Thomas out with a helmet to helmet blow was despicable. I'm sick and tired of seeing hits leading with the helmet, rather than just trying to tackle.

 

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Man I was three yards away from nailing the final score of the Denver-New England game right on the money. I have to give props to the San Fransico team, I did not think they could muster the offense to win, but those last two scoring drives were as clutch as they come. Saints should have won that game, they definitely let this one slip away from them.

 

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Well I had the AFC side of the playoff nailed almost to the teeth. Almost called the Denver-New England score perfectly, and nailed the Baltimore Houston score right on the head. TJ Yates played a good game, but he made a few rookie mistakes, which was to be expected from a rookie QB making a road playoff start. Houston will be a contender next season, and for the next few years. Giants and Green Bay is looking like a great game tonight, even though the Giants just got screwed on that fumble ruling, that looked like it was a fumble to me.

 

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huh? just sayin is all....

 

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