Analysis and predictions for the NFL playoffs

There’s a reason it’s called Wild Card weekend. And it has nothing to do with the word “card,” for all you confused readers out there. The first round of the playoffs came and went with a bang, with a little bit of everything throughout the four games.

The Texans handled the Bengals in their franchise’s first career playoff game 31-10. Later that night, the Saints handled the Lions 45-28 and seemed like the team to beat.

The Sunday games brought a Falcons team that seemingly had no business being in the playoffs, losing the Giants 24-2. That’s right—two points. The final game of the weekend was one of the best in recent memory, as the Denver Broncos and their no-name quarterback (I can’t even remember his name now) beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on the first play of overtime, sending the city of Denver into an absolute frenzy.

 

Round two comes this weekend, starting with the San Francisco 49ers hosting the New Orleans Saints. The Saints high-flying offense goes on the road looking to put up the same numbers against a 49er defense that ranks as one of the best in the league.

Prediction: With the forecast looking to be sunny and mid-60’s, the argument that the Saints can’t play the same style of offense in an outdoor stadium will be seemingly void. The 49ers defense can create turnovers, but I don’t think their offense can keep up with Drew Brees and company. Saints win 24-17.

The Saturday night game pits two quarterbacks who are clearly in God’s favor. One, Tim Tebow, uses such favor to pull out miraculous wins in the last second. Just ask any Steelers fan. The other, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, is clearly in favor because, well, his life is perfect (Just search for his wife on Google).

Prediction: This game intrigues me, purely because Tebow finds a way to win, and the Pats defense has been comparable to a high school team’s defense. I think Brady exploits the Broncos secondary using his multiple offensive weapons, though, and the Pats win 31-21.

Sunday starts off with the Houston Texans, coming of an emotionally charged victory last week, head into Baltimore to play the Ravens and their terrifying defense. Their defense is so scary, I’m going to avoid writing anything bad about them in this column. Ray Lewis might be hiding under my bed, or in my closet. Seriously. I wouldn’t put it past him.

Prediction: While rookie quarterback T.J. Yates has been a feel-good story, the Ravens defense is just too good for any rookie to handle. Ravens QB Joe Flacco will manage a good game, and if all goes to plan for the Ravens, they should handle this game pretty easily. Ravens win 28-7.

And finally, in the last game of the weekend, we finally get to see the regular season’s best team, the Green Bay Packers, start their quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions. It won’t be easy, though, as they start this journey by playing a tough New York Giants team. Eli Manning has been playing great, and the Giants defense has found their long-lost pass rush.

Prediction: Picking the Giants to upset the Pack has been the “sexy” pick all week, but, as many ex-girlfriends might tell you, I’m far from sexy. Packers win 28-24.