Last week I went 1-3 and Alex went 0-4. Not a great week for either of us, but I finally caught back up! Here are the Divisional Round Playoff picks:
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I have posted the times and days in which each game will be played, as well as the seed number each team is and what channel it will be on. Welcome to the playoffs!
The Playoff seeding is simple. In each conference there are 6 seeds, the top 2 seeds ( #1 and #2) do not play week 1 and instead will play a win from week 1 during week 2. In the AFC The seeding is as follows:
AFC NFC
#1 Colts #1 Saints
#2 Chargers #2 Vikings
#3 Patriots #3 Cowboys
#4 Bengals #4 Cardinals
#5 Jets #5 Packers
#6 Ravens #6 Eagles
The matchups for week 1 are separated by conference. In each conference in week 1, the #6 and #3 seeds will play each other, and the #4 and #5 seeds will play each other.
The #1 seed in each conference will play the LOWEST remaining seed in the playoffs next week. In other words, if the #6 seed beats #3 and #4 beats #5, the #1 seed will play the lowest remaining seed, #6. The #2 seed will play the only other team remaining.
With that out of the way, here are your Wildcard Weekend matchups. Please make note that the seed numbers will be color coordinated. Bold Red seeds will represent the AFC teams and Bold Blue seeds will represent the NFC teams. Also, the games are listed in the order in which they will be played.
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Saturday Jan, 16th. 4:30 PM EST (FOX)
#4
VS 
#1
VS 
#1(9-7-0) (13-3-0)
POROPAT
The Cardinals are a hot team in the playoffs and are playing the role of spoiler once again. Just like last year, they stumbled into the playoffs and took the Cardinal by the Beak and came alive in the playoffs. The way they are built, they could probably keep up with the Saints, but in order to beat them they really need to run the ball well. They have the ability to do that. They will also need their defense to play a LOT better than last week. The Saints need to get back into the groove of things after a colossal collapse towards the end of the season, limping into the playoffs on a 3 game losing streak. Its hard to pick this game because we really don't know which Saints team will show up on Sunday. I love taking the home team here, but the Saints lost the last 2 games at home, and the Cardinals are 6-2 on the road. So I'm really torn between the facts. Its going to be hard for the Saints to get it back together, but if they are going to do it, a week off could help.
Cards win, 31-30.
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RHOADES
The Cardinals were awfully impressive last week when they dismantled the Packers defense. Kurt Warner had more TD passes (5) than incompletions (4.) This season it seemed like the Cardinals were a better road team then home team, which might cause trouble for the Saints. The Saints haven't won a gams since the Cowboys beat them in week 13 and have really struggled since then. The Saints should come out fired up and beat the Cardinals in the Superdome.
Saints win, 49-48
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Saturday Jan, 16th. 8:15 PM EST (CBS)
#6
VS 
#1
VS 
#1POROPAT
The Ravens are one of the few teams that match up well defensively against the Colts. In the previous meeting between these two teams, the Colts were held to a mere 17 points, but the Ravens couldn't get the ball into the end-zone, scoring only 15 points on 5 field goals. If the Ravens can turn just a couple of those scoring chances into touchdowns, they can run away with this one. The two big differences in this game? Well, for starters its in Indianapolis, and those fans know when to get loud, and when to stay quiet. Thats not to say that the Ravens had an advantage at home, since the Colts offense works off of a silent count, but its just that they weren't at a DISadvantage, like they will be in Indy. The other big difference is Ray Rice's play the last few weeks. Raven's HB Ray Rice is on fire, and their offense is built on their run game, if they can use it effectively and score a few touchdowns, they can be up early and take some time off the clock. The key to this game though is in Joe Flacco's hands. Literally. He needs to not only take care of the ball on offense, but he really needs to be efficient with it in this game. Unlike the Patriots game, the Ravens defense will more than likely not get the Ravens the ball on the 15 yard line every drive, and they cannot expect to be get up fast.
Bottom Line: The Colts need to start fast and put the Ravens in a hole, making them one dimensional. If the Ravens can get a pass game early and/or making a few great defensive stands or turnovers to start the game, the Colts could be in trouble.
Ravens win, 27-24.
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RHOADES
The Ravens were on the winning side of a New England demolition, there first loss at home all year, in which Ray Rice destroyed the Patriots defense. QB Joe Flacco went 4-10 with 34 yards, which is terrible, but still got the job done. The Colts are coming off a couple of embarrassing losses in which they pulled there players. The Colts hope to get there swagger back by starting off strong.
Colts win, 34-31
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Sunday Jan, 17th. 1:00 PM EST (FOX)
#3
VS 
#2
VS 
#2 (12-5-0) (12-4-0)
POROPAT
The Cowboys are on fire, especially their defense. They come to a Minnesota dome which hasn't seem a game in which the Vikings lost. The Vikings have finally found a very balanced attack and aren't so one-sided offensively. The Vikings' offensive line is my key to this game. They have had some serious trouble as of late blocking for AP and Brett Favre. With the vicious pass rush of LOLB Anthony Spencer and ROLB Demarcus Ware, they will really need to step it up. If the Cowboys can get pressure on Brett Favre and AP, it could be a bunch of turnovers, especially for AP's questionably hands. However, the Vikings are still undefeated in the dome, and it should stay that way.
Vikings win, 24-21.
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RHOADES
The Cowboys come into this game red hot after stomping on the Eagles 2 games in a row. Tony Romo is playing the best Quarterbacking in the league and they have arguably the best defense going as well. The Vikings killed the Giants in the last week of the season, even though the Giants threw the towel in the week before. The home field will be a big factor for the Vikings, who hope to cool the Cowboys "Ro-momentum"
Vikings win, 24-10
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Sunday Jan, 17th. 4:40 PM EST (CBS)
#5
VS
#2
VS
#2(10-7-0) (13-3-0)
POROPAT
The Jets are easily the best defense in the league. They are ranked first is nearly every defensive category, and in the rushing offense category. The Chargers are just straight up hot. This is a really tough one for me to pick... i REALLY want to take the Jets in this game... but the Chargers are on fire, and are at home. The problem i have in this game, is that KNOW that the Jets will hold the Chargers to around 24 points, but I'm not so sure the Jets will be able to score that many points. Should be the best game of the week in my opinion. Ill take the home team, and the favorite.
Chargers win, 24-20.
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RHOADES
The Jets beat up the Bengals two weeks in a row and now face the Chargers, who might be the best team in the league. If the Jets want to have a chance, they need to run effectively and play great defense. If not, the Chargers will destroy them.
Chargers win, 27-24.
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