Football - General
Divisional Weekend Playoff Games
By Thomas Cool
Jan 13, 2007, 13:48

NFL Divisional Playoff games

Game 1: Indianapolis Colts vs Baltimore Ravens

This game offers the basic matchup in NFL- can a great offense defeat a great defense? Indeed, in the parlance of NFL, 'a good defense wins games'- this is as good a test of that idea as any!

Peyton Manning had a dreadful game last week, but this week he faces the best Defense in the entire NFL! The Colts will probably pass first, in order to make the run be successful. So far this season the Ravens have been very difficult to run against. RB J Addai has a lingering injury, but the Colts also have D Rhodes. The return of TE D Clark would help immensely. Last year the Colts lost to SD when their OL couldnot contain the pressure from the LB's; that could be a tell tale omen for this game, given the quality of the Ravens LB's.

On defense, the Colts will have to stop a pedestrian, fairly simple Ravens run game. Their pass game is efficient with S McNair at QB, but his only prime receiver is TE T Heap. With LT J Ogden nursing an injury that won't bode well for protecting the QB from DE D Freeney.

The Ravens have to establish RB J Lewis and Lewis must have at least 100 yards rushing for the Ravens to win. TE Heap and WR's Clayton and D Mason need to be productive against the zone defense. The Ravens cannot afford any turnovers. They must keep P Manning off the field with a ball control offense, making him go long distances against that defense.

Prediction: The Ravens defense will demonstrate how good they are, playing very physically against the Colts. Still, Manning will have some success, he can't play any worse than last week, right? The Ravens offense may have trouble moving the ball, they must limit the turnovers and play field position. Matt Stover could prove to be the game winner in the last minute of play.

Indianapolis 14
Baltimore 16

Game 2: Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints

This game pits the hottest team in the NFL, the Eagles, against the team/city that probably is a sentimental favorite.

Experience lies with the Eagles, they have been here a lot the past 5 years. QB Jeff Garcia did not have a great game last week, but he managed the game, didn't throw any INT's and managed one TD pass. RB Brian Westbrook IS the Eagles offense-stop him and your team can win the game. Still the Eagles have two young WR's in Brown and Stallworth that are explosive. TE LJ Smith is inconsistent. The Eagles OL is improving.

On defense, the Eagles will miss CB L Sheppard, out with a sprained elbow. Still, look for the Eagles to blitz a lot. But so far this season the Eagles defense has not been good against the run. Last week the Giants attacked the Eagles on the edge, with some success. It will be interesting to see if the Saints do the same with Deuce and Reggie. Bush is the Saints equivalent to Westbrook although not yet as proficient. If WR J Horn can play, then QB D Brees will have an awesome array of weapons, including WR M Colston.

The Saints defense is somewhat underrated, their DL is very good at pressuring the QB. The LB play has improved this year, but their DB's are still vulnerable.

Prediction: Game is in NO Superdome so weather is no issue. This could be the Westbrook vs Reggie show...so dont miss it! The biggest question to answer in this game will be how the Saints handle the pressure of the Playoffs and the Eagles Defense. For sentimental reasons I will pick Saints to win...

Philadelphia 24
New Orleans 30

Game 3: Seattle Seahawks vs Chicago Bears

This game is the one that could be adversely effected by weather.

On offense, the injuries to D Jackso and Hackett limit what they can do with their WR's. RB S Alexander and QB M Hasselbeck have to carry this team if they are to win. The OL needs to play very well-if they can win the trench battles they can win this game.

The SeaHawks are extremely depleted in the defensive backfield due to injuries, which could prove their undoing. Look for Chicago to use Berrian and M Muhammad on crossing patterns and deep passes. To combat this, look for Seattle to blitz Grossman-I am sure they watched the Bears last game!

The Bears on the other hand will run a heavy dose of Jones and Benson at the Seattle defense, then try to hit their WR's or TE D Clark when the safeties play the run hard. The Bears OL should be able to handle the DL of Seattle, how they handle the blitzes will be key. QB R Grossman will be on a short lease, if he doesn't perform, look for B Griese to make an early appearance.

On defense, the Bears get CB C Tillman back which will help a lot. Still, the Bears defense has not played as well the last 6 games as they did the first 10. They are no longer viewed as invincible. But the limited Seattle offense may not be able to win this game.

Prediction: IF WR D Jackson can play then the Seahawks have a chance, if not then they don't. If Grossman has one of his bad days, L Smith better jerk him quick or the game will be lost just as quick.

Seattle 13
Chicago 17

Game 4: New England Patriots vs San Diego Chargers

This game pits the Playoff savvy Pats and Tom Brady versus the Playoff upstart Chargers with Philip Rivers. First impressions would suggest that New England should be favored. But lets not forget one Ladainian Tomlinson....

New England has the grand master in QB Tom Brady. He should be able to pick apart the Chargers defensive backs, IF his OL can keep S Merriman and company off his back. RB's Dillon and Maroney will get a lot of opportunities to control the clock. WR R Caldwell probably relishes this return to SD-so look for a big game from him. The TE's could be very useful weapons also against a weak Charger back four.

On defense, look for Belichick to design some defensive alignments to confuse Rivers. They also need to stop both LT and A Gates. Those two are the playmakers for SD.

The Chargers must keep running LT, even if they don't meet with success early. Plus they must find him in passing routes where he excels. TE A Gates will be a prime target, but look for NE to blanket him. That makes WR McCardell and V Jackson possibilities for big games. Philip Rivers may have some mobility issues with his troublesome foot, so the Charger OL must play a very good game.

On defense, everyone know about the vulnerability of the Charger DB's. Therefore, LB S Merriman and Phillips must pressure T Brady. The DL has to stop the run and pressure Brady, otherwise he will pick them apart.

Prediction: the sentimental pick would be San Diego, but I am going with the experience factor.

New England 31
San Diego 27

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