Divisional Round Weekend Discussion Thread!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

So the wildcard weekend was quite frankly crap, but the divisional shapes up to be a little humdinger!

Firstly we have the two AFC games with the same 4 teams returning to this stage as did in 2011/12!

Baltimore travel to Denver in what I think could be a potential banana skin for the Denver. Everything points towards a Denver win quite easily, but I quite fancy Baltimore to make this a close contest and actually nick the game. Look for Ray Rice to bounce back with a big game.

The Texans travel to Foxboro to take on the Patriots in what promises to be a very tense matchup. I am obviously as a New England fan gonna pick my Pats, but I think Houston could put up a good fight in this game! All depends on if Matt Schaub can find any sort of form, if he can they have a legit shot, if he plays like he did against Cincy then Houston are heading home in my opinion.

Then the NFC which has the better of the matchups I think!

Seattle travel to Atlanta in a real close matchup! I like the Falcons to take this one, not because they are infinately better, because I think both teams are quite even teams, but purely because in my opinion this is a game Atlanta just HAS to win. If they lose the media will be so smug, I will find it funny! But on a serious note this is one Atlanta has to have, and with the homefield advantage I fancy them to just edge it

In the matchup of the week Green Bay travel to Candlestick to take on San Francisco in a game which should make you fall in love with football all over again. Key to the matchup for me is whether Green Bay can protect Aaron Rodgers. If they can I can't see the Niners hanging with Green Bay's offence. And on that note it is paramount that San Fran get Justin Smith back. Aldon Smith has looked lost without him, and if he isn't back I like Green Bay's chances of protecting Rodgers

[Derbyblue]

this is a game Atlanta just HAS to win.

Yes please do for the sake of my enjoyment of this forum.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

this is a game Atlanta just HAS to win.

Yes please do for the sake of my enjoyment of this forum.

I don't mind either way. I'd like to see how Roddy White's reaction on twitter if Atlanta lost, and Cherries reaction on here is Seattle lose. Win win for me

[GSC]

If the Seahawks lose we won't see Cherries on this section until the draft

[thunder and lightning]

In the matchup of the week Green Bay travel to Candlestick to take on San Francisco in a game which should make you fall in love with football all over again. Key to the matchup for me is whether Green Bay can protect Aaron Rodgers. If they can I can't see the Niners hanging with Green Bay's offence. And on that note it is paramount that San Fran get Justin Smith back. Aldon Smith has looked lost without him, and if he isn't back I like Green Bay's chances of protecting Rodgers

Really looking forward to this one, reports suggest Smith will suit up, how healthy he is we'll have to see, even without Smith I think Rodgers has a hard time staying upright. Look for a big game from Crabtree, quietly had a very good season and has good chemistry with Kapernick, I really fancy the 49ers to take this one.

On the others, I think Denver win quite convincingly against the Ravens, same with the Pats over the Texans, and I see the Seahawks pulling an upset (if it even is with the streak they are on) and taking out the Falcons in a tight game that goes to overtime, Matty Ice once again proving he can't get it done when it counts.

[mikeygnfl]

Apparently Peyton Manning is 0-3 in the playoffs in cold weather and it looks like it is going to be freezing in Denver this weekend. In those three games he threw one touchdown and seven inceptions.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

He is also 1-3 coming off a bye week I read somewhere. Little things like that always influence me

[GSC]

After going 4/4 last week:

Gotta go for Denver over the Ravens, Denver is a complete team, while the Ravens D is too old/injured to carry them.

I'm going to reverse field though and go for Houston to win a shocker in NE though. Yep, the Patriots obliterating a rival in the reg season then going 1 and done to them in the postseason. Sounds kinda familiar. The Texans can run the ball, and play defense, and I've got an inkling they can get Brady off his spot.

Gotta take the Packers over 49ers, Justin Smith will play, but at less than 100%, and if he can't dominate Aldon Smith struggles to impact games and the 49ers struggle to stop aerial attacks. I don't trust Kaepernick.

Falcons over Seahawks for me, without Clemons the Seahawks will struggle. Jones vs Browner is a mismatch, and the Seahawks will have to cover Irvin, as he a massive liability vs the run

[GSC]

Peyton also was carrying the Colts quite a few times. This Denver team can run the ball and play D

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Peyton also was carrying the Colts quite a few times. This Denver team can run the ball and play D

Oh yeah they can. But I just fancy Baltimore, gut feeling.

Knowshon Moreno is due a fumble or two right

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

To be honest this week I have gone with gut over any real reasoning. The matchups are all so close on paper imo, that I found it quite difficult to choose.

As a Patriots fan I worry about the Texans game purely for the reason GSC stated. That Jets experience in 2010 is fresh in the memory. But I do quite fancy our run D against there run, but Daniels I think is in for a big game because our LB's suck against the pass

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Rodgers returning to the area he is from, playing the team he supported when he grew up who passed on him in the draft.

Gotta have a chip on his shoulder

[mikeygnfl]

In my comp the Broncos lead 12-2 in peoples predictions and the Packers 10-4.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

So so so gutted I am gonna miss the 49ers-Packers game!!!!

I'll be on the box for Baltimore-Denver if any of you kind fellows wish to join moi

[twelve283]

After going 4/4 last week:

Gotta go for Denver over the Ravens, Denver is a complete team, while the Ravens D is too old/injured to carry them. Denver should be too strong for the Ravens.

I'm going to reverse field though and go for Houston to win a shocker in NE though. Yep, the Patriots obliterating a rival in the reg season then going 1 and done to them in the postseason. Sounds kinda familiar. The Texans can run the ball, and play defense, and I've got an inkling they can get Brady off his spot. Nah

Gotta take the Packers over 49ers, Justin Smith will play, but at less than 100%, and if he can't dominate Aldon Smith struggles to impact games and the 49ers struggle to stop aerial attacks. I don't trust Kaepernick. I wouldn't say the 9ers defense "struggle" in any area but if they want to win they can't come out flat like they did against the Seahawks.

Falcons over Seahawks for me, without Clemons the Seahawks will struggle. Jones vs Browner is a mismatch, and the Seahawks will have to cover Irvin, as he a massive liability vs the run. Would not be surprised to see the Seahawks win this one TBH.

Fair play you called the Colts/Ravens game last week, didn't watch it all but the Colts seemed to put up a fight untill the Ravens started to abuse Cassius Vaughn with Anquan Boldin.

[GSC]

They put up a fight but the Ravens always had an air of control.

Given how badly my accu failed I'm not infallible lol

[mikeygnfl]

Here are some head-to-head stats for this weeks games:-

Denver Broncos vs Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens lead the Broncos 6-4 in head-to-heads including a playoff win on New Years Eve in 2000.

In those 10 games the average scores work out as Broncos 17-23 Ravens

New England Patriots vs Houston Texans
The Patriots have meet the Texans only four times but lead them 3-1 games.

The average scores for those games are Patriots 33-19.

San Francisco 49ers vs Green Bay Packers
The Packers lead the 49ers 34-27 in head-to-head and one tie. In playoff games only the Packers lead 4-1.

In their 10 previous encounters, the Packers lead 8-2 with the 49ers winning the previous meeting back in September.

Over them last 10 games the average scores work out as Packers 26-19 49ers.

Atlanta Falcons vs Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks lead the Falcons 8-5 in head-to-heads.

In their last 10 games against each other, they are tied 5-5 though. The average scores in those games are Falcons 26-26 Seahawks (Falcons 25.6-25.7 Seahawks).

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Encouraging signs for Baltimore on that drive.

As I type that Denver returns the punt for a TD!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Real poor special teams by Baltimore

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Flacco with all sorts of time throws a deep bomb to Torrey Smith for a TD and the Divisional round is already better than Wildcard weekend!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Oooo nice start by Peyton...

[GSC]

Not really sure what Peyton could do about that. PI and a drop

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Great 1st quarter!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Smith is deep everytime past Bailey

[GSC]

Its not a secret. Everytime I watch Flacco he seems to spend most of the time bombing to Smith

[Derbyblue]

Smith is deep everytime past Bailey

Doesn't stop Flacco overthrowing him.

[GSC]

Pretty worrying for the rest of the NFL when a Peyton Manning QBed teams can pick up short yardage on the ground vs the Ravens

[GSC]

Broncos to receive in the 2nd. Flacco might not next throw a pass in anger until hes 21 points down

[GSC]

Ravens badly needed that

[GSC]

Might be an idea to leave help over the top on Smith.

Min 10 point swing

[Skyforger]

More like Chump Bailey...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Bailey is getting done by Smith every single time. Denver gonna have to fix this at the half.

Ruins there defensive scheme because they are gonna have to go Bailey safety help, which they usually don't give him. Gonna be interesting to see how they adjust

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Somehow Baltimore go in 21-21 after looking like going in 28-14

[Derbyblue]

Doesn't stay 21-21 for long...

[GSC]

Fun fact, Trindon Holliday is 16-0 this season apparently

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Ravens special teams

[GSC]

My main worry with the 49ers D, is Justin Smith goes out the game and suddenly Brady gets all kinds of time. Aldon Smith has been a non factor without his namesake clearing house. 49ers have a good secondary but if they dont get to Rodgers then its goodnight

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Offsides killing the Denver D

[GSC]

Denvers D would have more success if they had 11 men on the field and lined up on the right side I feel

[GSC]

And just like that the Ravens shoot themselves in the foot

[GSC]

Will Denver let them off the hook twice

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

No chance

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

That's a BS call

[GSC]

Evens it up somewhat

[GSC]

The longest 6 yard drive ever

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

And Denver let them off the hook again!

Refs have completely taken sting out of the game with the prolonged natter in the middle of the field

[GSC]

The extended breaks arent helping Peyton stay warm I suspect so ravens should inspire a few more

[GSC]

Thatll be tuck ruled I suspect

[RDuncan8]

BS refs. How is that not tuck rule? Joke.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Tuck rule is reserved for Tom Brady only

Denver still hasnt put Baltimore to bed! Should be out of sight by now!

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