NFL playoff record 4-1 ( NFL playoff record since 2000 - 84% )
NWO-3.5 @SF The 49ers have the enviormental advantage. There is a good chance that on the grass field of Candlestick Park it will be wet and windy . And all three losses by the Saints have been on the road (at Green Bay, at Tampa Bay and at St. Louis. Also a three-point overtime win in Atlanta and a near loss in Tenneesse when Jake Locker could not find an end zone reciver on the last play. But Drew Brees has thrown for 300 or more in 14 of 17 games. Alex Smith did not throw for 300 yards once this season. The 49ers are physical, but so are the Saints. This is the best offence the 49ers have played all year and the NFC South is a tougher divison than the NFC West. In the battle of offence vs defence, I will take the Saints offence in any environment.
Den+13.5 @NE Okay look, as much as Denver beat Pittsburgh last week, Pittsburgh beat themselves with the dropped passes, the poor shot-gun snap, the fumbles, etc. I give Tim Tebow credit but New England will be a polished offence. I give Denver a chance in that they are going from a top defence to a Patriots secondary that ended 31st at the end of the season. Also, Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin are two excellent pass blocking tackles so Tebow should have time. I don't think the Broncos will win, but as good as New England is, 13.5 points is too much for me. Pats win but Broncos fight and cover.
Hou+9 @Balt The big advantage is quarterback experience; Baltimore has it in Joe Flacco but Houston not nearly as much with T.J. Yates. Houston has the second best defence in football and Baltimore is third. Houston has a great 1,000+ running back in Arian Foster and Baltimore has a 1,000+ running back in Ray Rice. The last time Houston played Baltimore, it was close until the fourth quarter before Baltimore scored 29 points to win easy. But Andre Johnson did not play in that game and he will this week. Baltimore wins but Houston keeps it close.
NYG@GB -9 Green Bay by nine may be too many points. Aaron Rodgers is phenomenal at home with a QB rating of 128, 24 touchdowns and only four interceptions. The Giants may be playing their best right now, and with their three good running backs, have a chance to win the time of possesion and accumulate first downs, a clear priority. Still, I am not sure if New York can match Green Bay touchdown for touchdown. Against Atlanta, the Giants benefitted from two critical but inefficiant 4th down plays by Atlanta. That is not is going to happen with the Packers. Packers cover.
Good luck everyone! |