New Orleans Saints (11-5) at Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
4:35 P.M. Saturday January 11, 2014
FOX
Line: Seattle -8
New Orleans Saints Wild Card Review
The Saints were able to edge out the Eagles by two points in Philly this past weekend. The game didn’t turn into the shootout we all hoped and prayed it would be but it was still a good game. The slow offensive start could be attributed to the horrible weather this weekend. The two high flying offenses were held scoreless in the first quarter, and at the half it only got to 6-7 Eagles.
Drew Brees eventually woke up but he still was held to a normal quarterback game with just 250 yards. This week hopefully we’ll see Brees and the boys have a better game in Seattle. Jimmy Graham was held to just three catches and 44 yards which is more than just disappointing. For the team to have a success and move on this weekend Brees and all of his weapons can’t have a slow start like they did in Philly.
Seattle Seahawks Regular Season Review
The were one of the most dominant teams this year in the NFL. Their defense is one of the most dominant in the league, and their defensive backs are hands down the best unit in the NFL. Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas have cemented themselves as top players in this league. We’ve seen them establish themselves as maybe the most physical defensive backfield in the league.
But opposing teams have to worry about way more than just the defense when feeling the affects of the “12th Man”. Russell Wilson has proved a lot of people wrong as he’s turned into one of the top young quarterbacks in the league. He had a really good year with 26 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. I also love how comfortable his is moving in the pocket and extending the play outside the pocket. Finally you can’t talk about the Seahawks without bringing up the Marshawn Lynch aka “Beast Mode”. Lynch has to be considered one of the top five running backs in the league with the success he’s had the last couple years. He runs so hard you just got to love watching him play.
Saints Seahawks
Passing Offense 307.4 (2nd) 202.2 (26th)
Rushing Offense 92.5 (25th) 136.8 (4th)
Scoring Offense 414 (10th) 417 (8th)
Passing Defense 194.1 (2nd) 172.0 (1st)
Rushing Defense 111.6 (19th) 101.6 (7th)
Scoring Defense 304 (4th) 231 (1st)
Turnover Margin 0 (8th NFC) 20 (1st NFC)
Point Differential 6.9 (7th) 11.7 (2nd)
Key Matchups
Seahawks Scoring Defense vs. Saints Scoring Offense: The Saints offense puts up points its what they’re known for, the Seahawks are known for keeping the points off the board. It’s going to be fun to see these units go at it and which one will come out victorious.
Earl Thomas vs Jimmy Graham: Graham was shut out in Philly but he’s facing better defensive backs this week. Thomas will keep him from striking deep and we might see them matched up man to man a couple times.
Bruce Irvin vs. Terron Armstead: These two will match up multiple times during the game and Armstead will have to keep Irvin off Brees if the Saints want to win this game.
Biggest Mismatch
Russell Wilson vs. Saints secondary: The Saints are good at keeping passing offenses in control and Wilson doesn’t really average gaudy numbers. I don’t anticipate Wilson changing that trend either.
Prediction
Saints: 35
Seahawks: 31
The Seahawks beat the Saints earlier this year and bounced them from the playoffs before as well. This is where Brees and the boys put their feet down and stand up to the 12th man.
San Francisco 49ers (12-4) at Carolina Panthers (12-4)
1:05 P.M. Sunday January 12, 2014
Fox
Line: San Francisco -2
San Francisco Wild card Review
The 49ers sent the Packers packing last week which wasn’t really a shocker since the Packers were still suffering from key injuries. They pulled out the three point win and it wasn’t a pretty performance but I did like what I saw from Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick had an ok day throwing the ball, but he made big plays in important situations with his feet. He tallied 98 yards on the ground and lead his team to a playoff win on the road.
You wanna know what else was good to see from the 49ers this week? Michael Crabtree looks to be back to at the least 90 95% of his old self. Maybe a doctor or one of these crazy analyst can point out where he limps or where he isn’t as fast as last year, but after an eight catche 125 yard day I’m ready to say he’s back.
Carolina Panthers Regular Season Review
The Panthers surprised a lot of people when they won the NFC South and and tallying 12 wins. Especially after they started off the season so slow. In week five the team was sitting at 1-3 and some people were saying Cam Newton was turning into a draft bust. Fast forward 12 games and not only is Newton again the face of the franchise but the Panthers bring one of the best defensive units to the table as well.
They’ve also faced the 49ers once before this season beating them 10-9 in week 10. They also beat other playoff teams like the Saints, Patriots, and they took the number one seed the Seattle Seahawks down to the wire in week one. Don’t sleep on this Carolina team, they’re hungry and have shown they can compete with the top teams in the league.
49ers Panthers
Passing Offense 186.2 (30th) 190.2 (29th)
Rushing Offense 137.6 (3rd) 126.6 (11th)
Scoring Offense 406 (11th) 366 (18th)
Passing Defense 221.0 (7th) 214.3 (6th)
Rushing Defense 95.9 (4th) 86.9 (2nd)
Scoring Defense 272 (3rd) 241 (2nd)
Turnover Margin 12 (2nd NFC) 11 (4th NFC)
Point Differential 8.4 (3rd) 7.8 (5th)
Key Matchups
Colin Kaepernick vs the Carolina secondary: Can Kaepernick continue to capitalize through the air and on the ground. It will be tough this week agaisnt a good defensive unit.
Cam Newton vs NaVorro Bowman: Newton will see his first playoff action against two of the best inside backers in the NFL. Him and Bowman are two rising stars in the league though so I want to see who wins this matchup.
Biggest Mismatch
Panthers offense vs. 49ers defense: The 49ers have a strong defense and the young Carolina offense has been shaky this year. The inconsistency may cost them a play off when this time.
Prediction
Panthers: 10
49ers: 15
Two awesome defenses against inconsistent young quarterbacks is a recipe for a low scoring game. I give the 49ers and Kaepernick a slight edge because Crabtree is playing so well so far. I also think Newton will have a slow start in his first playoff game.