Well the wildcard playoffs are done so now it is time to take a look at the divisional round as we are one step closer to the Super Bowl. We have all the top seeds moving on so we won’t have a New York Giants 2007 style run to championship. Both of these games are rematches from week 14 and week 15.
Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens
There is no team hotter in the NFL than the Broncos with a stellar MVP-like season for Peyton Manning. After losing to the New England Patriots in Week 5, they have not lost since. The Baltimore Ravens are coming over a huge Wild Card win over Indianapolis Colts. This was the first game that Ray Lewis has played in since tearing his bicep in week six against the Dallas Cowboys.
When these two teams met back in week 15 it was a one sided game. The Broncos led in every phase of the game especially total yards, time of possession and turnover margin. Manning, however, wasn’t dominating as in throwing for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns but he didn’t need to be. His running back Knowshon Moreno provided 115 yards running the ball and one touchdown. That is ball control offense at its finest.
The key to the game will be the play of the Manning and Lewis. These two savvy veterans always seem to be on top of their game when the playoffs roll around. As far as a prediction for the game, I find it hard to pick against Manning and this game will be no different.
Prediction: Broncos 24-20
New England Patriots and Houston Texans
In Sunday’s matchup it is another rematch of the Week 14 Monday Night Football contest. New England stormed out to a 21-0 halftime lead and kept up the pressure winning 42-14. Despite the huge margin of victory, the box score was a lot closer. New England was the beneficiary of some timely defensive stops before Houston could get into the red zone.
Coming into that game Houston was 11-1 and in control of their destiny for home-field advantage. After losing to New England they would finish the season 12-4 losing their next two of three games. This would tie them with New England after the Patriots won two of their final three games.
The key to this game will be the playoff experience of Tom Brady and the lack thereof for Matt Schaub. Schaub just played in his first playoff game meanwhile Tom Brady has a playoff record of 16-6 and 10-2 at home. You just don’t beat Brady at home in the playoffs. Let’s also not forget he is 6-2 in Divisional Playoff games.
Prediction: Patriots 27-21
And let’s hope Houston doesn’t wear those letterman jackets again.