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The Perspective — Playoff Predictions – SF/NO  **  DNVR/NE  **  BLT/TX   **  NYG/GB 

WILDCARD PICKS FROM LAST WEEK’S GAMES…

Cincinnati versus Houston – Sat 4:30pm
Houston – 24 Cincy – 13  ** CORRECTOMUNDO!

Detroit versus New Orleans – Sat 8pm
New Orleans – 41 Detroit – 30  ** HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!

Atlanta vs. NY Giants – Sun 1pm
Atl – 34 NYG – 17 ** A SWING AND A MISS!

Pittsburgh vs. Denver – Sun 4:30pm
Denver – 20 Pittsburgh – 17 ** DOUBLE BONUS POINTS FOR THE UPSET SPECIAL!!  

3-1 LAST WEEK  W/ THE BRONCO’S PICK, MAKES ME FEEL ALL WARM AND INTELLIGENTLY.

ON THAT NOTE…

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS — WEEK 2

New Orleans at San Francisco, Saturday @ 4:30pm

Drew Brees vs.  ___________  (An actual team?)

This game is going to be all about how far SF defense bends dealing with the force that is Drew Brees and his band of merry WR’s.  If SF jumps on opportunities (say turnovers and sacks) without allowing Brees to go all, you know, Drew Brees, then things could go well.

I think an important advantage in this matchup is Home field.  The 49ers have it and its worth 3 points.  But I also feel like Moore, Meachem & Colston have the chops to overcome Akers and Home Field.

FINAL PREDICTION – New Orleans – 27   San Francisco – 21

Denver at New England, Saturday @ 8pm

I’m going to try to stay away from the obvious names and the obvious predictions that every talking head is making… Tebow is a miracle & Patroits are going to destroy the Broncos.

I think this matchup comes down to 2 variables.

#1.  Denver defense getting consistent pressure on Tom Brady.  If they hurry & hit him all day, they can control the NE offense, to a degree.  No one can actually control that offense, just make it run inefficiently.   Denver’s defense must also stick to NE’s TE’s (thats what she said?) like glue.  History supports this logic.

#2.  Does Tebow have enough intestinal fortitude to overcome the legend and big moment heroics of Thomas Brady?  I’m seeing a Tebow score to take a late lead but leaving 1:12 on the clock, of which Brady uses :62 seconds to march downfield for the winning score.  Does that sound about right?  I hope not, because I’m going in the opposite direction.

FINAL PREDICTION – Denver – 31  New England – 30  ** Yeah it looks and feels a bit crazy, as I stare at it now, but I’m sticking with it.  John Fox is going to be dialed in!

Houston at Baltimore, Sunday @ 1pm

Houston can run all day!  Baltimore used to be able to shut down offenses completely.  This has CHAOS written all over it.  Everything you thought you knew about this game could easily get turned on its head.

Logical Thoughts;  TJ Yates is underwhelming, Arian Foster runs for 100 yds & 1 td, Texans defense performs admirably.   Joe Flacco underwhelms and disappears at clutch moments, like 2 minutes to go in the 4th quarter.  Ray Rice runs for 100+ yds and 1 TD and catches 5 passes for 50 yards and 1 TD.  The Baltimore defense makes a play.

Reality;  This game is going to be ugly.  Both QB’s are indeed going to underwhelm, and the defenses will be predicated on stopping the run and bringing pressure on those QB’s.  I see INT’s, Fumbles and boatloads of incompletions…  One offensive player from each side will do their best to drag their respective team onto their back…  Let’s go with Arian Foster & Billy Cundiff.

FINAL PREDICTION – Baltimore – 23   Houston – 16  

NY Giants at Green Bay, Sunday @ 4:30pm

Eli, Eli, Eli.   His arm may fall off this game.  Can Eli attempt 60 passes while completing 45?  Doubtful.  Maybe 35!  I think he has to throw to keep up with the Green & Yellow Juggernaut.

Meanwhile, the NYG are going to counter with a ferocious defensive blitz attack on Rodgers.  The downside to this Russian Roulette of blitzing is, long passes to open WR’s for TD’s.

For all the hype, I think this game is a statement for the defending champion Packers.

FINAL PREDICTION – Green Bay – 48   NYG – 34

Here are some other ‘Opinions’;

ESPN Sports Nation – Ravens v. Texans – 

ESPN Sports Nation – NO Saints v. SF 49ers

ESPN Sports Nation – NE Patriots v. Broncos

ESPN Sports Nation – NYG v. GB Packers

Sports Illustrated – Peter King’s Picks 

Yahoo Sports Guru’s – Silver, Carpenter, Cole

SB*Nation – Playoff Picks

Bill Simmons – 4-0 in Week 1 of the NFL Playoffs.  Let’s see what he’s got in Week 2.