New England Patriots (12-4) at Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
8:15 P.M. Saturday January 11, 2014
CBS
Line: New England -7
New England Regular Season Review
The Patriots had another good season when they weren’t supposed to apparently not have a lot of talent around Tom Brady. But that’s what they're know for isn’t it? Brady had another great year throwing for over 4000 yards 25 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. Julian Edelman was the number one target this year and as he brought in 105 catches. There was inconsistency with the other top targets on the team. Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski the two thought to be the top targets missed significant time do to injury. The young guys Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins played well in bursts but their inexperience showed at times.
The Patriots running backs are key to their success or at least they were this year. Shane Vereen is a beast of a receiving threat out of the backfield. He’s very versatile and one of the main keys to the New England air attack. When he can hold on to the ball Stevan Ridley is one of the top young running backs in the league. But equally important to the ground game is LeGarrette Blount who also ran for 700 yards this season and is one of the hardest backs to bring down at nearly 250 pounds.
Indianapolis Colts Wild Card Review
The Colts made me look bad this week as they sent the Kansas City Chiefs home for the year winning 45-44. I did not expect this game to be high scoring at all I must say. I didn’t think the Chiefs offense was capable of keeping up with Andrew Luck if it turned into a shootout, but I didn’t think the Chiefs defense would let the Colts offense put up a lot of points. The Colts were allowed to make one of the biggest comebacks in playoff history as they were down 31-10 at the half.
But thanks to a great second half where they outscored the Chiefs 35-13 and scored in the final minutes of the fourth to lock up the one point win. This team has been a giant slayer all year which makes them dangerous in the playoffs.
Patriots Colts
Passing Offense 255.4 (10th) 232.8 (17th)
Rushing Offense 129.1 (9th) 108.9 (20th)
Scoring Offense 444 (3rd) 391 (14th)
Passing Defense 239.0 (18th) 233.3 (15th)
Rushing Defense 134.1 (30th) 125.1 (26th)
Scoring Defense 338 (10th) 336 (9th)
Turnover Margin 9 (3rd AFC) 13 (2nd AFC)
Point Differential 6.7 (8th) 3.4 (10th)
Key Matchups
Colts Linebackers vs. Shane Vereen: Vereen is a very deadly back receiving out of the backfield. He is also very elusive in the open field.
Tom Brady vs. Andrew Luck: They won’t be facing off on the field but I couldn’t resist, it’ll be fun to see these two duel this week.
Biggest Mismatch
Both teams rushing offense vs the rushing defense: Are these front sevens capable of tackling?Because they sure can’t stop the run. I’m looking for these two teams to have absolutely no trouble running the ball. Especially the Colts as the Patriots are missing big Vince Wilfork to clog up the middle.
Prediction
Patriots: 38
Colts: 28
The Colts have been giant slayers this year but I don’t go against Brady in the postseason. The Colts have a good chance of knocking the Patriots off, but Brady is a superhero in January. He’s so good in the postseason the only time I liked a team beating him in the playoffs was the Ravens last year.
San Diego Chargers (9-7) at Denver Broncos (13-3)
4:40 P.M. Sunday January 12, 2014
CBS
Line: Denver -10
San Diego Chargers Wild Card Review
The Chargers were able to upset the Bengals at home in the wild card round but the definitely had some help. The Bengals turned the ball over four times threes of which go to quarterback Andy Dalton. So its not surprising that a lot of people have said the Bengals gave the game away as much as the Chargers won it.
But the Chargers are a very good team and they deserve some respect. They didn’t turn the ball over once against the Bengals and that big run from Ronnie Brown in the fourth was fun to watch. Philip Rivers also played well as he tallied another touchdown pass, I really like how he’s played this year.
Denver Broncos Regular Season Review
The Broncos were one of the hottest teams in the first couple weeks of the season, Peyton Manning killed any MVP competition he had by week three, and the defense that was supposed to be terrible without Von Miller held its own even though they on the field so much. The Broncos also set a NFL team record for points with 606, breaking the previous mark of 589 held by the Patriots.
But let’s be real Manning was everything this year as he was easily the most dominant quarterback in the league. He set some records himself, passing yards 5,477 surpassing Drew Brees’ mark by one yard and 55 passing touchdowns surpassing Brady’s 50. The only question about the Broncos all season long is what will they do in the postseason?
Chargers Broncos
Passing Offense 270.5 (4th) 340.2 (1st)
Rushing Offense 122.8 (13th) 117.1 (15th)
Scoring Offense 396 (12th) 606 (1st)
Passing Defense 258.7 (29th) 254.4 (27th)
Rushing Defense 107.8 (12th) 101.6 (7th)
Scoring Defense 348 (11th) 399 (22nd)
Turnover Margin -4 (9th AFC) 0 (6th AFC)
Point Differential 3.0 (11th) 13 (1st)
Key Matchups
Chargers secondary vs Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas: Thomas and Welker have become if not the best one of the best tandem in the league. Along with Eric Decker and Julius Thomas the Chargers will have their hands full.
Ryan Mathews vs the Broncos front seven: I want to focus on Mathews again, he didn’t do much this year but he’s a good young talent. I want to see him have a good game against a Broncos defense that’s just decent against the run.
Biggest Mismatch
Philip Rivers vs the Broncos Secondary: Rivers is having a really good season and the Broncos secondary is eh…. not. Especially with how the Broncos like to score quick and often, Rivers should have success threw the air this week.
Prediction
Chargers: 45
Broncos: 51
Don’t see this being a low scoring games that’s not really these teams M.O. Big days for Manning and Rivers but in the end Manning and his weapons will be too much for the Chargers. I’m going with Denver with the win in “Mile High”.