Last Week: 3-1
Regular Season Record: 170-86
Postseason Record: 3-1
It has been one incredible year of football. Considering that this season almost didn't happen, it really makes you appreciate what we have seen this year. Dan Marino's single-season passing record was broken, not by just one but by two quarterbacks. The offense we have seen throughout the year has been the equivalent of a three-ring circus. With that said, it is time for some of those lopsided teams to fall by the wayside. This week, we will see just that.
Once more, the BBV pickin' panel, Mike and myself, will give you our thoughts and predictions for the upcoming games. You read Mike's predictions earlier. Now, you have mine.
New Orleans at San Francisco: The majority opinion here is that Frisco's defense is far more than Drew Brees and co. can handle. That might hold true if the Saints were primarily a rushing team, which they are not. The Saints are a high flying, aerial attack team that will make your secondary look like a bunch of high schoolers. The Niners, however, are primarily a rushing team. The Saints have a fairly decent rush defense. While the homefield advantage is on Frisco's side, the Saints will most definitely come marching in…and out with a win. Saints 34, 49ers 21.
Denver at New England: I made the mistake of picking against Tim Tebow in his own church last week. The thing about this Denver team is that it is not just Tebow time when they take the field. It also become time for a very dangerous defense. Collectively, they put up five sacks last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Robert Ayers sacked Big Ben twice on his own. The Broncos offensive line didn't allow a sack. That is not to say that pressure was not put on Tebow. The guy knows how to get out of a sticky situation. That's the thing. There really is no way to prepare for a game against him. His style is so unpredictable that you never know what he is going to do. We all know how marvelously special Tom Brady is. We all know that his level of awesomeness dictates that we all bow before him. But that's just not going to cut it this week. The Broncos will take this game, in the ugly, unconventional Tim Tebow style. Broncos 35, Patriots 28.
Houston at Baltimore: This one doesn't require a Mayan calendar, an abacus or a field general to figure out. Yes, the Texans have looked good recently. But it all comes down to one thing. The Ravens are undefeated at home. They will stay that way. Ravens 24, Texans 14.
New York at Green Bay: There is no denying that the Pack have had a tremendous season. Aaron Rodgers didn't throw for the most yards or the most touchdowns this season. He didn't register the highest completion percentage. He wasn't one of the three quarterbacks who threw for over 5,000 yards. But he only threw six-interceptions and that is what has helped to make his QB Rating as high as it is, 122.5. The Packers aren't a multi-dimensional team. They have no rushing game. They have no pass defense. Can that change this week? Quite possibly. It certainly has for the Giants. In the recent week, the Giants have stepped up in a huge way. Every facet of their game has continued to improve exponentially, making them the most dangerous team in the playoffs right now. When last they met, earlier this season, the game was decided by a New York secondary that couldn't contain Green Bay's receivers for fifty-eight seconds. I don't think the game will come down to that type of situation again. However, if it does, I think the G-Men will handle the clock a bit better. Giants 28, Packers 17.