NFL Divisional Round Predictions

After wins by the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, and Baltimore Ravens in Wild Card weekend, the Divisional Round will provide four exciting games.

The New Orleans Saints (1 NFC) will play the Arizona Cardinals (4 NFC).

This game is a game with many complex subplots.  The Cardinals defense has struggled at times, and the New Orleans offense was the best offense in the league for a majority of the season (although not recently).  In addition, the New Orleans defense has struggled this season, and the Cardinals offense put up 51 (45 offensive) points against the Packers, a top defense in the NFL.  This game will come down to which defense can contain the other team’s explosive offense.

My prediction:  The Saints offense will return to form and will outperform the Cardinals offense in a shootout. 

Saints 45–Cardinals 38

The other NFC Divisional Round game will be the Minnesota Vikings (2 NFC) against the Dallas Cowboys (3 NFC).

This game is also very difficult to pick because of how the teams have played down the stretch.  The Cowboys have looked like the hottest team recently, both on offense and defense.  The Vikings have looked good for the majority of the season, struggled a bit down the stretch, but then crushed the Giants in Week 17 to put a positive end to the regular season going into the bye week.  The key to this game will be whether the Cowboy defense can continue its almost unfathomable stretch of defense against dynamic offenses.

My prediction:  The Cowboys defense will slow down the Viking offense, and the Cowboy offense will continue to control the ball and time of possession (TOP), and will move on to the NFC Championship Game.

Cowb0ys 27—Vikings 14

The AFC matchups pair two very different teams in terms of personnel and philosophy.

The Indianapolis Colts (1 AFC) will face the Baltimore Ravens (6 AFC).

This game pairs the running minded Ravens and the passing minded Colts with MVP Peyton Manning at quarterback.  The game will come down to whether or not the Raven defense can keep the Colt offense in check, and whether the Ravens offense can keep the ball out of Mannings hands.  Another key will be the impact the resting of starters for 2 consecutive weeks will have on the Colts.

My prediction:  The Colts will not play poorly, but will not be crisp early in the game, and the Ravens will take advantage.  The Colts offense will be limited in its possessions by both the Ravens defense and its offense reliance on running the ball and time of possession (TOP).  

Ravens 24—Colts 20

Finally, the San Diego Chargers (2 AFC) will play the upstart New York Jets (5 AFC).  This game will be extremely interesting, as the Jet defense has looked stellar, while the running game has remained the best the league has to offer, led by offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.  The Chargers have been arguably the best team in the league the last 2-3 months.  Therefore, this game will pair two very talented teams who are playing very well right now.  The key to this game will be whether the Jets defense can force turnovers on the explosive Chargers offense.

My prediction:  The game will be closer than expected, but the Chargers offense will take control late in the game.

Chargers 31—Jets 21