The NFL Divisional Playoff Matchups

The NFL regular season has concluded and the playoffs will begin next week.  This year was unique for many reasons.  First, two teams (Saints and Colts) started at least 13-0, and each of the teams lost their final 2 games (the Saints lost their final 3).  In addition, the first round of the playoffs will feature 3 rematches of Week 17.  Finally, Titans running back Chris Johnson became the sixth running back in NFL history to eclipse the 2,000 yard mark in a season.  But what hasn’t changed is that once the calendar turns to the New Year, it is playoff time. 

The AFC playoff picture looks as such:

The Colts (1) and Chargers (2) will receive byes in the first round.

The Ravens (6) will travel to Foxboro to face the Patriots (3), Sunday at 1PM on CBS.

This game will come down to whether or not the depleted New England offense, with Wes Welker out for the season and Tom Brady dinged up, can still move the ball effectively against the always stout Baltimore defense.  In addition, can Joe Flacco be composed well enough in only his second year to take his team deep into the playoffs again.  I think that the Raven running game will control the tempo of the game, and the New England offense will not be able to recover from its best receiver’s injury.

My prediction: Baltimore wins 20-10.

The Bengals (5) will host the Jets (4) on Saturday at 4:30 on CBS.

In a rematch of last week’s finale, the Bengals will look to get Chad Ochocinco back healthy.  The key matchup will be Jets CB Darrelle Revis, the best corner in the league, against Chad Ochocinco, the Bengals’ top receiver.  In addition, it will be a battle of two strong running games, led by Thomas Jones for the Jets and Cedric Benson for the Bengals, with veteran Larry Johnson in the backup role.

My prediction:  The Bengals run defense has allowed the team to beat both Pittsburgh and Baltimore twice this year, and will remain stout in this game.  Thomas Jones will not have the effect he needs to for the Jets to win the game.

My prediction:  Cincinnati 24–New York 20

The NFC Playoff Picture looks like this:

The New Orleans Saints (1) and the Minnesota Vikings (2) receive byes in the first round.

The Philadelphia Eagles (6) will travel back to Dallas to play the Cowboys (3) at 8 PM on Saturday on NBC.  The Eagles will look to turn the tide after getting hammered by the Cowboys this past week 24-0.  The game quite simply will come down to whether or not the Eagles can stop the Cowboys offense and keep themselves in the game. 

My prediction:  The Eagles will play better than they did last week, but not quite well enough to beat the Cowboys.  Cowboys 31–Eagles 20.

The final game of the weekend is the Green Bay Packers (5) traveling to Arizona to play the Cardinals (4) at 4:40 on Sunday on FOX. 

Once again, this game is a rematch of the final week of the season.  The Packers crushed the Cardinals, who rested many starters.  Green Bay has been one of the hottest teams in football, and the game will come down to whether the Green Bay offensive line can continue to protect Aaron Rodgers, as the o-line has been the achillies heel of the Packers at points this year. 

My prediction:  The Packers handle the Cardinals 31-13.