Cincinnati @ Houston ( Sat. 3:30 NBC )

This might just be the best game of the weekend. These two teams played a 20-19 thriller earlier in the season. First time two rookie QB's will faceoff in the playoffs. I think this game will come down to defense and the running game. Cincinnati has a much improved defense from last year, but no one is more improved than the Houston Texans defense. I have to give the nod to the Houston defense at home in this game. I have much respect for Cedrick Benson as a runner, but at the same time its hard to argue with Arian Foster being one of the best RB's in the league. Recent history also does not support the Bengals playing very well in the Wildcard round. As much as it pains me to do so, I have to go with Houston to win their very first playoff game.

my predicton: Houston 27-17

Detroit @ New Orleans ( Sat. 7:00 NBC)

The night cap game featuring two very good offenses. The record setting Saints offense is probably one of the best we have ever seen in the NFL. However, there is an old saying in the NFL that you pass to sale tickets and you run to win championships. Both of these teams feature really good QB's and very good WR's, but without Javid Best on the field, neither of these teams has a viable running attack. Neither of these defenses are one that will scare you, however, I have to think the Saint defense will do a good job forcing mistakes out of a playoff rookie in Stafford. The Saints have been here before, playing at home in a staduim they have not lost in this year, coming off one of the most embarassing wildcard round losses in playoff history; I find it hard to imagine a scenario where the Saints don't humiliate the Lions.

my prediction: Saints 47-24

Falcons @ NY Giants (Sun. 1:00 FOX)

If the Cincinnati-Houston game is not the game of the weekend, then this game is. The Falcons are coming off of two consecutive one and done playoff runs, they will definitely be looking to get the monkey off their back against a NY Giants team that backed their way into the post season. The NY Giants have a very good passing offense led by Manning and Victor Cruz, but the Giants are very weak on the defensive side of the ball right now. The Falcons are probably one of the more balanced teams in the playoffs, they can throw the ball behind Matt Ryan and Roddy White, or line up and pound it down your throat with Micheal Turner. Its hard to pick against the NY Giants after what they did in 2008, but I think the Falcons are going to come out on a personal mission to put their previous two playoff failures behind them, I think the Falcon win a close one in NY.

my prediction: Atlanta 24-20

Pittsburgh @ Denver (Sun. 3:30 CBS)

Let me start this one off by saying this: I am probably one of the biggest Tebow haters in the world. I have nothing good to say about the kids football skills, he simply is not a viable NFL quarterback. A defense like the Steelers defense should completely limit this Denver offense to the point of being tough to watch. How do you manage three points in an entire game against the KC defense? If you cant put up a touchdown on the KC defense in a game where you are fighting for your playoff lives, how do you expect to score enough to beat the Steelers offense? Injury concerns do plague the Steelers right now, but I think it will be next week before it catches up with them. This game should be the most uncompetitive of the weekend. Big Ben and the Steelers are going to prove to the entire world that Denver does not belong in the playoffs

my prediction: Pittsburgh 27-3

 

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I'm not real confident about how the Cinci-Houston game will go. I like the Texans, but both teams have some real weaknesses.

I don't see the Saints getting upset this year. But a blow out is unlikely imo. The Lions are better than they are being given credit for.

The game that interests me the 2nd most is the Atlanta and Giants game. The Giants come in on a streak of 2 wins and boast the best pass rush in the play-offs. Atlanta's defense has struggled down the stretch. I still don't view Matt Ryan as an elite QB. I think he is best when they run the ball effectively and open up play-action. I just don't trust Ryan like I would Eli. I think the Giants are going to walk away with this and it may not be that close.

The Steelers-Broncos game is the one I'm looking forward to. Steelers are down a RB, center, and safety (due to health concerns). Broncos are still down Dawkins. But I don't think Dawkins is the key to the Broncos defense playing well, like Skip Bayless thinks. If the Steelers can play disciplined on defense and keep Tebow in the pocket this game won't be close. Teams have shown lately what happens when you prevent Tebow from scrambling and running and force him to throw it. Tebow has a terrible pocket presence. Instead of seeing him step up I always see him run backwards attempting to roll out. And if the defensive ends or linebackers are disciplined enough to keep him locked in a \/ pocket he struggles. He just keeps rolling back and usually ends up sacked for 15-20 yards or throwing off the backs of his feet leading to an under thrown ball. Defenses just need to play man to man coverage and not over pursue Tebow when he scrambles and he will make his own mistakes. Which has been happening. Tebow has yet to learn to step forward in the pocket or have confidence in doing that. And he won't learn that in 1 week. Tebow has potential, but still needs a lot of coaching. I'm not a hater, just a realist.

 

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Houston 20-13

I don't like the rookie QB on the road against a very good defense.

New Orleans 34-24

Saints are on fire right now and I can't imagine a team that just got torched by the Packers backup QB slowing them down. I don't think this game will be as close as this score indicates.

NY Giants 20-14

Don't like the Falcons outdoors.

Denver 13-12

This one defies all logic but there has to be one upset. The Steelers have a ton of injuries right now. If Big Ben is hobbled like he was against the 49ers then this matchup of QBs is just about equal.

 

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I have been slacking a bit when it comes to the boards...apologies, but Amendial you have pretty much nailed the first two! (dont gloat)

I agree with the rest of your picks as well...although I was hoping to see Detroit pull it out. They have been in the gutter so long, it would have been nice to see them come out of it.

 

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Seems Liquid forgot who he was talking to...

 

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I just want the Broncos to lose so we can end the Tebow talk for the year.

 

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well at least this game he was...and like many others, i couldnt believe my eyes. but i work with a ton of steeler fans..(i know shocker since i work in a steel mill) when i got to work and seen them in the locker room, i made sure i did the tebow kneel and pray thing for them...it was amazing! LOL

 

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God loves Jesus Christ more than he loves a date rapist, no surprise there!

 

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Yeah, wow, the Steelers defense made Tebow look like the second coming of Elway. The Steelers played down to their competition all year and barely scraped by with wins (2 vs Cleveland, Indy, Jax, KC). It finally caught up with them. Everybody in the world knew that Tebow was going to run that TD up the middle in the 2nd quarter, how did they let him through? And the 5 offensive linemen couldn't keep 3 rushers from getting to Ben. It was just a bad game for the Steelers all around. But now I have to root for Tebow the rest of the way. I hate the Patriots and the Ravens. I have no feelings whatsoever for the Texans. So I'll root for Tebow since he seems to be a good guy. And if he keeps winning, it will make all the big time analysts' heads explode since "he has no business being a QB in the NFL."


eta: And the saddest thing to me is that it may have been Hines Ward's last game as a Steeler. He's no longer a starter. And the Steelers have a tendency to get rid of their old veteran highly-paid players when the production slips.

 

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I do agree to an extent with you. The Steelers defense looked old and slow. Ike Taylor looked awful in man coverage. Maybe the key to bottling up Tebow is with the right personnel for man coverage. But the AFC has been weak this entire year imo. I'd rank all 4 of the remaining NFC teams above all of the AFC teams.

Saints-Texans SB !!!

 

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