2011 NFL Playoffs: Divisional Weekend Cheat Sheet

Wow, could I have been more off on my predictions last weekend? Yikes. Ended up going 1-3. Here's hoping this weekend fares a bit better.

Again, you will not have a break from football on Saturday. Like last week, you'll have the two matchups late afternoon Saturday, followed by the mid/late-afternoon matchups on Sunday. Here goes nothing...

Saturday, January 14, 4:30 pm EST
New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers
Well this matchup pits my one winning pick last week versus a surprising team this season. With a new coach in Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers were not thought to be a team to make the playoffs, much less take the #2 seed. But Harbaugh has instilled a winning philosophy into his team. Honey badger don't care. This is a toughie, though...man, I really just don't know who to pick, AND I like both teams, so I can't even go with a bias here...you've got a powerful offense in the Saints and a very stingy and aggressive defense in the 49ers...I mean...this could go either way.

Prediction? Saints 28, 49ers, 27...yes...or it could go the other way around...

Saturday, January 14, 8 pm EST
Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots
Well ain't this a surprise! No Pittsburgh? Tebow prevailed last week in overtime, which, unless you live under a rock (in which case, how did you get here?), I do not need to explain the outcome. Tebow faces a bigger challenge this week...no, not the Pats' defense (no one is scared of that), but the Pats' offense. Again, unless you live under a rock, you should know who Tom Brady is. A master picker-aparter of defenses. Broncos boast a solid one. I just think their magic may run out this time. Sorry, Willis McGahee, you know I still like you.

Prediction? Patriots 30, Broncos 21...wish I could say it was closer...

Sunday, January 15, 1 pm EST
Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens
OK, if you know me well, you'll know I have major stake in this game. I mean c'mon, Lauren "Purple Friday." So I'll be at this game...meaning the Ravens will win...ha but seriously, I'm a little nervous. Though the Texans are on the third string quarterback, he's proved to be a decent game manager, and the last time we beat the Texans, they were without Andre Johnson (though they did have Matt Schaub). That game was close and it was in Baltimore. In the end, I believe it'll come down to who has the better quarterback...and in this case, that will be Joe Flacco.

Prediction? Ravens 24, Texans 20...yup, a close one...

Sunday, January 15, 4:30 pm EST
New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers
Like Texans-Ravens, this is another rematch of a close game. Not too long ago, the Giants were nearly the first team to end the Packers' unbeaten streak. But, as is usually the case, Aaron Rodgers prevailed. This one should be pretty close itself, with both teams seeking some sort of "revenge." The Giants on their loss aforementioned, and the Packers on the NFC championship loss back in 2008 (the year the G-men would go on to win the Superbowl). In the end, I predict a possible overtime victory...

Prediction? Packers 32, Giants, 29...random score, yes.

So let's see if I can go better than 1-3 this weekend...and if I have to go 1-3, you know which game I want to be right about!

Happy Purple Friday!
Lauren

2011 NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Weekend Cheat Sheet

Well, another NFL regular season has wrapped up. As usual, it went all too fast and I can't believe we're already into the postseason, especially considering around six months ago, we were unsure if there'd even be a season.

With the end comes the beginning of one thing...PLAYOFFS! For my NFL newbies, I've put together a quick 'n' dirty cheat sheet so you can chime in on this weekend's conversation.

Important: this weekend, unlike most, there will be NFL football on both Saturday and Sunday. So you gotta be ready for a whole weekend of football!

Saturday, January 7, 4:30 pm EST
Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans
This game features the surprising Bengals (9-7), with their ginger-maned rookie quarterback, Andy Dalton and their, well, distractionless 2011 squad. I say distractionless, because you don't even have to be a huge NFL fan to remember the days of Ochocinco and TO. Lately, their biggest distraction has been seeing how high Jerome Simpson can flip into the endzone. You've got to credit the Bengals' coach, Marvin Lewis, who turned what was expected to be another disappointing season into a relatively successul one.

The other side of the ball features the Texans, who are making their first-ever playoff appearance. That's something to celebrate. Granted, playing in the same division as the Peyton-less Colts and the hapless Jaguars did help. But the Texans proved they are a team that subscribes to the "next man up" philosophy. Except that recently, they've took a tumble, losing their past three quarterbacks and having to start their fourth of the year. Third stringer TJ Yates, who hurt his non-throwing shoulder on Sunday, is appearing likely to play. Not sure if that's good or bad, seeing I don't know much about this guy having seen him in so few games...

My prediction? Bengals win, 27-24. I'd prefer the Texans win so we can face them at M&T on the 15th, but I just don't see them pulling it out with all the injuries.

Saturday,  January 7, 8 pm EST
Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints
Well this is one game where I really don't have anything against either team. You've got the good ol' Lions, who haven't made the playoffs since the 90s, and the Saints, who bolster a roster of many "good guys," a la Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham. So basically, do you cheer for the surprise story of the NFC, the underdog in this situation, given how hard it is to win in New Orleans? Or do you go for the favorites, knowing you may not have a huge problem seeing the Saints in the Superbowl again. I imagine this will be a high-scoring affair, pitting two pass-heavy offenses (led by Brees on the Saints and Matt Stafford on the Lions) against each other.

My prediction? Saints win (you're welcome, Lily!), 45-36 (yeah, pulled that second number out of my ass). The Saints are unstoppable at home, but I do hope it's a close, exciting game, being in the nighttime spot!

Get enough rest on Saturday night? I didn't think so. Onto Sunday!

Sunday, January 8, 1 pm EST
Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants
I hope to write another entry on this topic soon, but this matchup has a 10-6 team (Falcons) going on the road to play a 9-7 team (Giants). This discrepancy isn't so terrible, but remember last year's Saints (11-5) going on the road to play a mediocre (or so we thought) Seattle Seahwaks at 7-9? Something just doesn't seem right about a team in a tough division finishing in second place at 10-6 going on the road to face a "lesser" opponent. But that's for another time. This matchup is about two teams that have been slightly schizophrenic all season. You've got prettyboy "Matty Ice" for the Falcons versus ELISHA (Eli) Manning on the Giants. One thing you can look forward to, if the Giants lose, is seeing the Manning pout. I imagine this will be a closer game, and another high-scoring affair.

My prediction? Falcons win, 33-30. I almost flipped a coin, though. The Falcons, who play in a dome most of the season, aren't as used to the cold, windy temperatures that they'll face in New Jersey (yep, stadium is not actually in New York!). However, the Giants have been so unpredictable this season, that I really just don't know if I can trust them...

Sunday, January 8, 4:30 pm EST
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos
Well ladies, I don't think I need to help you on this one. Tim Tebow vs. Ben Roethlisberger. Religious devotee versus former accused rapist. Need I say more? In both of their defenses, Tebow has shown toughness and character throughout his up and down ride to a season. He led his, what we originally thought was hopeless, Denver Broncos to six wins in a row. Which was abruptly cut short by Tom Brady, as they lost their final three in unadmirable fashion. But, since the rest of the Broncos' division is just...unfort...they backed into the playoffs. Then you have the Steelers, who show another reason why I think the seeding should be re-thought. They're 12-4, and they're playing 8-8 Broncos in Denver. Whatever. You've got a limping Big Ben, starting running back out for the year, and numerous other injuries. I don't think this will be a high-scoring affair, especially since the combined amount of points scored by each team last week was 16. Then again, I can never really count out Big Ben (I'm a Ravens fan, need I say more?) nor can I count out Tebow (religious powers on his side).

My prediction? Steelers win, 16-10. Wow, do I really have 3/4 of all road teams winning this weekend? Let's see how that holds up...

Stay tuned next week as I preview the divisional matchups!

Happy Purple Friday!
Lauren