New Orleans Saints (11-5) at Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
This one should be a gimme. New Orleans spanked the Seahawks during the regular season 34-19 behind 382 yards and 4 touchdowns from Drew Brees. As we mentioned earlier this week, the Saints are going to be short running backs after putting both Chris Ivory AND Pierre Thomas on the injured reserve, but I don't think that's going to matter. Not even an apparently healthy Matt Hasselbeck will be enough to swing this one in Seattle's favor. Seattle's 27th ranked pass defense (3994 yards 31 touchdowns) will be their downfall.
Saints 31 Seahawks 13
New York Jets (11-5) at Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
Despite a rash of injuries, the Colts were once again the winners of the AFC South so they'll host the Jets Saturday night. After Peyton Manning's 3 game stretch (weeks 11-13) where he threw 11 interceptions in the midst of a 3 game losing streak, he has the Colts back on track and they cruise into the playoffs winners of 4 straight. Even without Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez, the Colts offense is potent, so you're basically looking at the Colts offense against the Jets defense. While Rex Ryan may think he has the best team in the AFC, I'm not one to bet against Peyton Manning at home. I see this one playing out similar to the AFC Championship game last year when Manning threw for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns during a 17-6 deficit into a 30-17 victory. Sorry Rex.
Colts 27 Jets 16
Baltimore Ravens (12-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
The Chiefs ran for 2627 yards this year to lead the National Football League. The Ravens have the NFL's 5th ranked run defense. Something's got to give. Will Jamaal Charles (1467 yds 5 TDs) and Thomas Jones (896 yds 6 TDs) have their way with Ray Lewis and the vaunted Ravens defense? Don't forget the Chiefs can move the ball through the air as well with Dwayne Bowe catching 15 touchdown passes from Matt Cassell. The Ravens aren't exactly slouches on the offensive end either. The additions of Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh have added new elements to their passing game and Ray Rice tallied nearly 1800 yards from scrimmage. This one for me comes down to experience. The Ravens have been here before. The Chiefs have not.
Ravens 23 Chiefs 21
Green Bay Packers (10-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
A lot has changed since these two met way back in Week 1. Ryan Grant was the Packers running back. Kevin Kolb was the Eagle quarterback. Neither one finished the game. The Eagles jumped out to a 20-3 lead and held on to win 27-20. Clay Matthews led the Packers defense with 13.5 sacks and Aaron Rodgers threw 28 touchdown passes despite missing time due to a concussion during the regular season. The Eagles counter with dynamic playmakers Desean Jackson (22.5 yards per catch), Jeremy Maclin (10 receiving TDs), LeSean McCoy (1672 yards from scrimmage) and Vick (30 total touchdowns) however the stumble into the postseason losing to lowly Minnesota and Dallas in their final two games. I think momentum is important, and the Packers are playing well on both sides of the ball.
Green Bay 31 Philadelphia 27
So there you go. Let the playoffs begin!
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