This is a hard one because this season has had a lot of twists and turns that nobody expected.
It is also harder since the Steelers would have been an easier pick prior to Mendenhall being out for the entire playoffs with an ACL tear.
So let me give this a shot, and to let you know now, spread wise and O/U I am much better than W/L....
So....
- Cincinnati Vs Houston. I am going to take Texans here based on their defense, but I am worried that all it might take is one huge play by A.J. Green to change win the game. I expect this to come down to field position, kicking, and most importantly, Arian Foster. Arian Foster is the difference maker in this game and will end up winning it for the Texans.
- Pittsburg vs Denver. Well I was wrong about the Cardinals every-single-series in the World Series, so I am not going to take a chance on this one.
I am going to take... the BRONCO'S!?!?
I know they don't have the QB, and I know never to underestimate Roethlisberger, but I think with Big Ben's "maybe, almost, or slightly" broken foot, and no Mendenhall, this will be another game based on defense and kicking. Don't be surprised if it comes down to 6-3, but all it would take is for Von Miller to get one big hit on Ben and take him out of the game, even though he would refuse to be taken out. But that has to occur prior to Ben getting a big play with Wallace to win it for the Steelers.
But I can't say no to Tebow. He has the big man upstairs in his corner. This pick might be wrong, but if it's right, I will feel much better about myself. Haha.
- Detroit vs New Orleans. This will be the most fun game to watch in the first round. It might be the only game with any offense. Don't be surprised if this game is 41-35 or something similar. New Orleans is too good for Suh to have an impact on the game, and Suh would need to keep his head in the game and not get kicked out, or kick someone.
The thing New Orleans has that Detroit doesn't is Darren Sproles. I see him getting 100 yards receiving, and 300 total purpose yards.
- NY Football Giants vs Atlanta. Atlanta has a good team, but the Giants can rush the passer with only 4 men on the line. Barring Julio Jones having the game of the century, this should be an easy win.
The thing that the Falcons have in their favor is Eli Manning. If he pulls off any Tony Romo style mistakes, the Giants will lose badly.
Expect the Giants to win this 21-13 or 24-17. I think the D-Line and JP-P to be the difference in this one.
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Round 2:
- Houston vs NE. New England should have a pretty easy time in this one. I don't think the Texans can match the Brady's in a shootout, and I expect this.
Player that will win the game for the NE? The Law Firm of BenJarvis Green-Ellis. Just 75 yards from him will open up the big plays for Gronk the Caveman and (Insert other random WR here).
- Denver vs Baltimore. Baltimore is playing at the top of their game. God himself can't help Tebow stop Ray Rice, and Anquan Boldin will be back for that game, giving them even more depth on offense.
The real x-factor in this game is the Bye week the Ravens get. It will allow an older and injured Line-Backing corp like Ray Lewis to get healthy and they will just run over the Bronco's. But it will make for good television.
- New Orleans vs San Francisco. I don't know why, maybe it's because I haven't watched them that much since I am on the East Coast, but I don't think the 49'ers are nearly as good as their record would indicate. I think they got a lot of easy wins in a very weak conference,
I am going to go with New Orleans since Drew Brees and Darren Sproles will just pick apart the 49'ers. This is a QB league, and when it comes down to who has the best QB, the Saints win that battle.
- NYG vs Green Bay. Before talk of a 16-0 season, the Giants put up the best fight against the Packers compared to every other team they played.
I am going for the major upset of the playoffs, the biggest upset since... Well the Giants vs the Patriots. I am taking the Giants to go into Green Bay and beat Aaron Rodgers. Why?
The Giants, once again, have something no other team in the NFL has, and that is a very strong pass rush, and that is without having to blitz. That means the Giants will get pressure on Aaron Rodgers, who has had issues with his O-Line this season, without having to use extra men, and could double cover the WR's and not allow the short dump off's.
The only thing, once again, that could hurt the Giants, is Eli Manning. If it does become a shoot-out, Eli has a habit of making "Tony Romo" Style plays.
The x-factor here is keeping Aaron Rodgers off the field. That means the Giants will have to run the ball effectively, and they can do that, and they also have to be agressive the entire game. Even if they are up 2 TD's, don't put your foot on the gas.
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- Baltimore vs New England. I think this is the year Brady gets his team to the Super Bowl and not blow it in the playoffs.
I think, even with a good defense like the Ravens have, they can't beat a shootout with Brady.
The only way the Ravens can win is if Ray Rice completely dissects the Patriots and they have 9-12 minute drives. Otherwise, every time the Patriots get the ball, they are a threat to score.
- Giants vs New Orleans.
After 2 good wins by the G-men, I am going to take the Saints. I think that the Saints are more adept to deal with the Giants pass rush than other teams are in the NFC. And if it becomes a shootout, the Saints have the advantage.
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New England vs New Orleans in the Super Bowl.
S**t if I know. It's the super bowl. I would put my money on the O for the O/U, because I think this will be a fun game to watch on offense.
I mean just based on their play going towards the end of the season, I think it will be a massive shootout that will be a lot of fun to watch, but like all Super Bowls, will most likely come down to a last minute kick.
The advantage the Saints have is that this is played on a carpet, which is similar to the Saints stadium, but I think in the end Brady get's that 4th ring in one hell of a fun super bowl to watch.
New England over the Saints by 3.
, Packers over Saints, 49ers over Giants
