Mattie T’s NFL Divisional Playoff Predictions..
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on January 15, 2010
So now, we get to see the elite quarterbacks in action with Favre, Brees, Manning & Rivers. Will all four get to advance to next Sunday’s Conference Championship Games?
Arizona at New Orleans.
Just 6 days after one of the most exciting playoff games of all-time, the Arizona Cardinals travel south to the Superdome to face the top-seeded New Orleans Saints.
Drew Brees promises he’ll be fine after 2 weeks of rest, but the Saints overall haven’t had a dominating performance since their 38-17 blowout win over New England on November 30th.
Kurt Warner should have his way with a defense that’s not nearly as strong as Green Bay’s. A lot of people didn’t know until last week that the Cardinals actually have the league’s top-ranked red-zone offense, and not the high-powered Saints.
I see a lot of points being scored, and if New Orleans gets off to a slow start, then it will be deadly to their Super Bowl hopes.
Arizona in a close & high-scoring shootout.
Baltimore at Indianapolis.
Ravens will try to knock off a top seed in the Divisional Round for the 2nd straight year, but Peyton Manning will pose a lot more threats than Kerry Collins did.
Baltimore’s going to have to convert their red-zone trips into touchdowns to have a chance, as they went 0-for-5 in their 17-15 loss to Indianapolis on November 22nd.
The Colts’ healthy pass-rush duo of Dwight Freeney & Robert Mathis should create havoc on Joe Flacco, who is dealing with a leg injury & won last week’s game against New England despite passing for just 34 yards.
Ray Rice might have himself another big game, but Flacco’s ineffectiveness at quarterback will cost Baltimore a chance to move on. Indianapolis wins & will host the AFC Championship Game.
Dallas at Minnesota.
Could be the most intriguing game of the weekend, as the red hot Cowboys will try to hand the Vikings their 1st home loss of the season.
It appears as if Tony Romo plays his best football in the 2nd & 4th quarters, whereas Brett Favre has had a rating of 100 or higher in all four quarters for the ENTIRE season.
With both teams displaying a strong pass rush & run defense, Favre edges out Romo here in what should be a very close and physical game.
Dallas will battle, but comes up just short as Minnesota holds on to advance to the NFC Championship Game.
N.Y. Jets at San Diego.
Mark Sanchez makes his California return & will try to knock off the hottest team in the NFL, as San Diego looks for their 12th straight win.
The Jets defense will have to play better against the run, as Cedric Benson torched them for 169 rushing yards last week.
Darrelle Revis will be keeping Vincent Jackson from having a big game, but Antonio Gates will cause matchup problems in the secondary.
This game will be somewhat close, but i like for San Diego to move on.
