NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round

Divisional Round picks:

Marshawn Lynch will turn on his "beast mode"
against the Saints.

(1)Seattle Seahawks vs. (6)New Orleans Saints
Since 2005, when a six-seed plays a one-seed in the playoffs, the six-seed has won six of eight total matchups.  The Seahawks, when playing a team twice in a season, have only won both games five of twenty times.  After this weekend, that number will be six.  In a battle of short statured quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Drew Brees will have to rely on their entire supporting casts to get a win.  Both teams have a strong pass-rush and an average offensive line.  This will force both teams adjust, which in turn will boil the game down to one factor; the 12th Man.  New Orleans painted a Seahawk logo on their turf and blared crowd noise through the Superdome speakers, but it isn't the same effect.  Even with all the favorable statistics, this is where the Saints quest for a second Super Bowl trophy in four years will come to an end.  Also, I'm feeling a Bobby Wagner pick at some point.

Prediction: Seahawks 34  Saints 20

Tom Brady hasn't had his best season, but hasn't slowed
when it comes to the playoffs.

(2)New England Patriots vs. (4)Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck may be the hottest name in the NFL right now.  That game last Saturday in Indy was one of the best playoff comebacks by an individual player I've ever seen.  Luck will look to duplicate that performance at Gillette Stadium tonight.  The Colts blindsided the Patriots earlier this week by signing ex-Patriot receiver Deion Branch, looking to fill a void in the receiving corps.  New England has some holes too.  However, even though they've struggled at various points in the season, I can't see Tom Brady losing this one.  His playoff experience and knack for making heroes out of nobodies on offense will carry the Patriots to the next round.

Prediction: Patriots 31  Colts 17

(2)Carolina Panthers vs. (5)San Francisco 49ers

With 120 individual tackles, 5 sacks, 11 passes defensed,
2 INTs, 4 FFs, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 defensive TD,
NaVorro Bowman is a Defensive POY candidate.

With Michael Crabtree active, the 49ers are undefeated this season.  Yes, I know that's only six games, but it's not without evidence.  The last time these two teams played each other, it was a nose to the grindstone fight, with only one touchdown scored and both quarterbacks throwing under 170 yards.  Crabtree didn't play, and San Francisco's speedy tight end Vernon Davis and rookie safety Eric Reid both left due to injury before the final whistle blew in favor of Carolina.  In Cam vs. Kaep 2.0, the outcome will be reversed.  While these teams are extremely similar- both have a dual-threat QB, a mediocre receiving corps., and a dominant defense, especially their front sevens- the one with the playoff experience, home crowd, and hottest hand(s) will move on to the NFC Championship.

Prediction: Panthers 17  49ers 20

Peyton Manning broke nearly all major passing records this
season, including passing yards and passing TDs in a season.

(1)Denver Broncos vs. (6)San Diego Chargers
Peyton Manning had arguably the best season a quarterback has ever had in the NFL.  He and the "four horsemen" have created the most potent offense in league history.  Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Wes Welker, and Julius Thomas each have 10 or more touchdown receptions.  Knowshon Moreno has 10 rushing touchdowns.  All these factors will bring the San Diego Chargers' season to an end.  The Broncos only lost three games all season, but the Chargers are riding their own 5-game winning streak into this matchup.  But while many point to San Diego's upset of Denver earlier this season, people forget Denver handled the first contest between these two division rivals.  Peyton will do it again Sunday in a high-scoring affair.

Prediction: Broncos 42  Chargers 31