- Can the Ravens continue their playoff dominance over the Pats?
- Can Cam and the Panthers continue their hot streak in a hostile Seattle environment?
- Will Aaron Rodgers overcome his injury and out duel Tony Romo?
- Which Peyton Manning will show up following a bye week- regular season or playoff?
Here is what we have to say about each one of these pivotal games;
Ravens at Patriots- In recent years, we have seen a Billy Cundiff field goal sail wide to seal the Ravens fate as well as a fantastic performance by the defense to beat a solid Patriots team. Once again, these two teams meet but with very different teams. The Patriots have four running backs that they switch in and out keeping the defense on their toes; Shane Vereen, Lagarette Blount, Jonas Gray and Stevan Ridley. Tom Brady frequents receivers Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell as well as many other talented players. The Ravens have lost a few components since their last meeting but have found some great replacements. Justin Forsett has fit in seamlessly into the offense. Steve Smith Sr. and Owen Daniels have been two of Flacco's favorite targets this season. The Ravens have a formidable front seven and hold teams under 100 yard rushing on average. The secondary proved to be solid as well in last weeks game against Pittsburgh where they held Antonio Brown's explosive plays to a minimum and tacked on two interceptions to seal a victory. The Patriots also have a well rounded defense in large part to Darelle Revis locking down receivers on the outside. Look for his play in todays game today be huge.
Key: Tight end play will be huge. Whichever team racks up more receiving yards from their tight ends will have an advantage.
Prediction: Patriots: 27 Ravens: 23 - Low scoring first half, Brady takes lead into fourth and Flacco's comeback falls just short
Panthers at Seahawks: This game features the defending superbowl champion vs the hottest team in the NFL. The Panthers are riding a five game win streak into this huge game. Cam Newton has been shaky throughout the season and hasn't been explosive as previous years, but has developed into a solid game manager. Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen will have to work against one of the toughest secondaries in the league with Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas. The Seahawks front seven is similar to the Panthers. both have talented linebackers and are stingy against the run. Due to this, look for Jonathan Stewart and Marshawn Lynch to have less carries and look for the quarterbacks to get a few chances to run. Russel Wilson leads all quarterbacks with six rushing touchdowns and Cam Newton is known to make men miss in the open field.
Key: The Panthers need to play virtually perfect football to have a chance to survive this tough game in a hostile environment. This means no turnovers and manage the field position.
Prediction: Seahawks: 28 Panthers: 19 Seahawks score 21 in the second half and hold off Cam Newton and company
Cowboys at Packers: This is the first playoff matchup between these two since the ice bowl. This game pits the Cowboys coming off a huge playoff win last week who are 8-0 on the road vs the Packers who are undefeated at home. The Cowboys are solid on offense with the leagues best o-line and weapons throughout the field. Terrance williams was a huge x-factor last week with two touchdowns in the win against the Lions. Demarco Murray was fairly quiet last week but had a huge game against the Packers last year as well as Dez Bryant who played very well in that game. The Packers defense in the first half will be critical as Aaron Rodgers gets into a rhythm despite being injured. look for Eddie Lacy to get plenty of touches to get the Packers play-action going. There should be opportunities for Cobb and Nelson to get against an average Dallas secondary, but look for a short passing game strategy for Green Bay since Aaron Rodgers will be less mobile because of his calf injury. This game could be a shootout despite the cold weather, so half time adjustments for both defenses will be huge. This game will be exciting until the end and a win for either side will bolster their legitimacy about being amongst the leagues best.
Key: Whichever team get the run game going first and continue to do so into the second half will have an advantage so they can keep the defense rested on the sidelines while the take time off the clock and manage the game.
Prediction: Packers: 33 Cowboys: 28 A shootout throughout the first three quarters with the Packers D capitalizing on late turnovers to seal a win.
Colts at Broncos: A classic showdown to close out the week between two great quarterbacks. Peyton Manning had another solid year throwing to Demaryious Thomas, Julius Thomas, Wes Welker and Emmanuel Sanders, but the biggest surprise for the Broncos would have to be the emergence of running back CJ Anderson. Anderson rushed for 849 yards as well as eight touchdowns helping the Broncos to 14 wins. Not all those wins were due to the offense, this year the Broncos ranked third in the NFL for total defense. As for the Colts will be relying on the arm of Andrew Luck who has had a better year statistically than Peyton and let the Colts to the league lead in passing yards per game. T.Y. Hilton will need another big game if they want to try and beat the defending AFC Champions. This game has the potential to be a great chapter in the Peyton v.s. Luck saga.
Key: Whoever win the ground game has the best chance to win. Both of these teams can sling it around, that means whichever team can control the ball has the best shot to make it to the AFC championship.
Prediction: Broncos: 28 Colts: 21 No lead will be safe in this game with the way these quarterbacks can throw, but Peyton Manning will come through and win the game.
Key: Tight end play will be huge. Whichever team racks up more receiving yards from their tight ends will have an advantage.
Prediction: Patriots: 27 Ravens: 23 - Low scoring first half, Brady takes lead into fourth and Flacco's comeback falls just short
Panthers at Seahawks: This game features the defending superbowl champion vs the hottest team in the NFL. The Panthers are riding a five game win streak into this huge game. Cam Newton has been shaky throughout the season and hasn't been explosive as previous years, but has developed into a solid game manager. Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen will have to work against one of the toughest secondaries in the league with Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas. The Seahawks front seven is similar to the Panthers. both have talented linebackers and are stingy against the run. Due to this, look for Jonathan Stewart and Marshawn Lynch to have less carries and look for the quarterbacks to get a few chances to run. Russel Wilson leads all quarterbacks with six rushing touchdowns and Cam Newton is known to make men miss in the open field.
Key: The Panthers need to play virtually perfect football to have a chance to survive this tough game in a hostile environment. This means no turnovers and manage the field position.
Prediction: Seahawks: 28 Panthers: 19 Seahawks score 21 in the second half and hold off Cam Newton and company
Cowboys at Packers: This is the first playoff matchup between these two since the ice bowl. This game pits the Cowboys coming off a huge playoff win last week who are 8-0 on the road vs the Packers who are undefeated at home. The Cowboys are solid on offense with the leagues best o-line and weapons throughout the field. Terrance williams was a huge x-factor last week with two touchdowns in the win against the Lions. Demarco Murray was fairly quiet last week but had a huge game against the Packers last year as well as Dez Bryant who played very well in that game. The Packers defense in the first half will be critical as Aaron Rodgers gets into a rhythm despite being injured. look for Eddie Lacy to get plenty of touches to get the Packers play-action going. There should be opportunities for Cobb and Nelson to get against an average Dallas secondary, but look for a short passing game strategy for Green Bay since Aaron Rodgers will be less mobile because of his calf injury. This game could be a shootout despite the cold weather, so half time adjustments for both defenses will be huge. This game will be exciting until the end and a win for either side will bolster their legitimacy about being amongst the leagues best.
Key: Whichever team get the run game going first and continue to do so into the second half will have an advantage so they can keep the defense rested on the sidelines while the take time off the clock and manage the game.
Prediction: Packers: 33 Cowboys: 28 A shootout throughout the first three quarters with the Packers D capitalizing on late turnovers to seal a win.
Colts at Broncos: A classic showdown to close out the week between two great quarterbacks. Peyton Manning had another solid year throwing to Demaryious Thomas, Julius Thomas, Wes Welker and Emmanuel Sanders, but the biggest surprise for the Broncos would have to be the emergence of running back CJ Anderson. Anderson rushed for 849 yards as well as eight touchdowns helping the Broncos to 14 wins. Not all those wins were due to the offense, this year the Broncos ranked third in the NFL for total defense. As for the Colts will be relying on the arm of Andrew Luck who has had a better year statistically than Peyton and let the Colts to the league lead in passing yards per game. T.Y. Hilton will need another big game if they want to try and beat the defending AFC Champions. This game has the potential to be a great chapter in the Peyton v.s. Luck saga.
Key: Whoever win the ground game has the best chance to win. Both of these teams can sling it around, that means whichever team can control the ball has the best shot to make it to the AFC championship.
Prediction: Broncos: 28 Colts: 21 No lead will be safe in this game with the way these quarterbacks can throw, but Peyton Manning will come through and win the game.
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