NFL: Divisional Round Predictions
Welcome to TVBigBoard’s first ever NFL predictions column! I’m a confident rookie, so you can practically take these predictions as law.
A very exciting wild-card weekend is leading up to what looks like the most exciting divisional round in a few years. Jackonville @ NE, SD @ Indy, Giants @ Dallas, and Seattle @ Green Bay. Each game has a few nice story lines, and all four games are going to be out-and-out battles. Like every team, I have something to prove so let’s jump right into the predictions.
Jacksonville @ New England (Saturday, 8pm EST on CBS)
ATS: Jacksonville (+11.5)
Straight-up: New England
It’s been said a hundred times already, but I might as well say it: The Jags match up well against the Patriots. I don’t think that means that Jacksonville squeaks out a win here, but I think the game will be pretty close - provided they get back to what they do best, which is running the damn ball. It’s no secret to anyone that the Patriots run-D is their one glaring weekness. That should have been at least a ten point win for the Jags against Pittsburgh last weekend, but instead Jack Del Rio started doing his best Mike Martz impression. If Jacksonville can keep running the ball and control the clock, it will keep the Pats offense off the field and they can keep the game close.
That all being said…New England at home with an extra week of rest and preperation is just going to be too much for Jacksonville in the long run. That offense can be slowed but not stopped. During the game with the Giants, Cris Collingsworth used the word “relentless” to describe the Patriots offense. Jacksonville simply can’t put up enough points to beat this team.
NY Giants at Dallas (Sunday, 4:30pm EST on FOX)
ATS: Dallas (-7.5)
Straight-up: Dallas
I’m making this pick with one assumption: TO is in the lineup for Dallas (and i’m willing to bet he’ll be, and i’m even making it a question). Without TO, I still think Dallas wins, but it will be a much closer game and the Giants will cover the spread.
Everyone is jumping on the Eli bandwagon, but I’m not quite there yet. I’m not sure he can string together 3 good games in a row, especially with the playoff implications involved. Look how long it took Peyton. Speaking of Peyton…
San Diego @ Indianapolis (Sunday, 1pm EST on CBS)
ATS: Indy (-8)
Straight-up: Indy
Probably the most interesting game of the weekend. The Colts are strangely flying below the radar. Nobody really seems to know what to think of them. They can run, stop the run, and have an excellent passing attack. Meanwhile, San Diego has a great running game, a great defense, and Eli-West in Philip Rivers (it’s becoming more evident that no one gained anything in that trade). San Diego won the first meeting…but they didn’t exactly dominate Tennesee, did they? The only thing Tennesee did wrong was they couldn’t put up any points. With the game close, the Chargers could keep running LT (or making the defense think they were going to run LT) rather then being forced to pass alot more.
Well, I think the Colts can do the exact same thing, except they can score points and force the Bolts to pass more. Peyton is NOT having another 6 INT game this time around. In fact, this will be the only blowout of the weekend.
Seattle @ Green Bay (Saturday, 4:30pm EST on Fox)
ATS: Seattle (-8)
Straight-up: Green Bay
Their defense is good, but Seattle’s offense is just overratted. Hasselback cannot avoid at least one back-breaking mistake in a big game. They practically handed the game to Washington last weekend, only to have Washington hand it right back. You’re telling me that they are now going to march into Lambeau and pull out a win? I think they’ll find a way to keep it close, but I can already envision another magical 4th quarter comeback by Brett Favre - driving a stake right through his former coaches heart.
So yeah, I picked all four home team favorites to win outright. Sue me. The top two teams from each division just seem a little stronger then the rest of the playoff contenders this year - and each team has a fairly unique home field advantage scenario that helps them out. We’ll revisit this after the weekend and recap each game, but in the meantime, make sure to place your bets!