2012-13 Picks - NFL - NFC & AFC Championship Picks

If you're thinking, "haven't we seen this before", in regards to these playoffs, well, you're not mistaken. 3 of the 4 teams representing the AFC and NFC are the same as last year. The Patriots seem to always be around this time of year. The Ravens are back for the second year in a row to make amends for last years lost against the Pats. The 49ers are attempting to make up for what likely should've been a trip to the Superbowl last year. And of course, we have the inevitable playoff home underdog, the Atlanta Falcons. All these teams have a unique chip on their shoulder. So who's going to make it to the big stage?

Sunday, January 20

San Francisco @ Atlanta | 2:00 p.m. CT

The San Francisco 49ers still have a very fresh memory of Kyle Williams lying face down on the field after having fumbled a kick off return along with their Superbowl hopes. But the 49ers feel like a totally different team--most notably because there's a totally different dynamic when Colin Kaepernick is at QB. I haven't been a fan of Harbaugh's decision all season long. However, last week against the Packers, he showed that maybe he has as much poise and confidence as any veteran QB in this years playoffs.

The Atlanta Falcons are this years home underdog. Having finally gotten the "win a playoff game" monkey of their backs, almost instantly, they feel dangerous in the way the Giants have in past years. Although their primary weapons are on the offensive side of the ball, that defense is no slouch, either. Matty Ice and the dirty birds are poised for an "upset"...

...But I don't think they'll pull it off.

My Pick: San Franciso 49ers

Baltimore @ New England | 5:30 p.m. CT

For Harbaugh and the Ravens, particularly Ray Lewis, these playoffs are about finishing. Finishing Ray's last game in Baltimore. Finishing off Peyton Manning and Broncos in OT. And now, finishing the rivalry that started against Belichick and the Pats.

It's not so different for the Patriots. They couldn't finish off the 49ers after their comeback in Week 15. But they were able to finish what they started with the Texans last week. Most importantly, they weren't able to get the job done against the NY Giants last year in the Superbowl. In order to get another chance at that task, they'll need to finish off Ray Lewis and the Ravens once and for all.

Although, If there was a perfect last game for Ray, one might imagine it would be in the Superbowl ... but I can't imagine a better final opponent for Ray to defeat than Belichick and Brady.

Unfortunately for him, you can't have two AFC teams in the Superbowl. So his last ride has to end in Foxboro.

My Pick: New England Patriots

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2012-13 Picks - NFL - Divisional Playoffs (Sunday)

It’ll be tough to live up to the standards of excitement of Saturday’s games, but the Falcons and Seahawks are more closely matched than many believe. And in the late game, the Texans will likely come out swinging which should make for a compelling start. The story lines that may be the result of these games though is pretty compelling. Pats v. Broncos? Seahawks v. 49ers? Lets roll.

Sunday, January 13

Seattle @ Atlanta | 12:00 pm CT
The Atlanta Falcons are coming off of another 13-win season. Matt Ryan has got weapons all over the field and a fairly strong offensive line to protect him. Their biggest offense weapons, Jones and White are both deep threats and Ryan has the arm to put it there. But if there’s a secondary that can hold their own against them, it’s the Legion of Doom of the Seahawks. This team is dangerous because of its ‘chip on the shoulder’ mentality – and Russell Wilson. At the end of the day Falcons have something to prove this year, I just don’t buy what they’re selling.

My Pick: Seahawks

Houston @ New England | 3:30 pm CT
The Texans were embarrassed by the Pats on Monday Night Football earlier this year. It was ugly. Not to mention, the Pats were without their star TE, Rob Gronkowski. The balance on offense for the Patriots this year is back, and their defense has been creating turnovers. But the Texans are a little ticked off at how little of a shot they’ve been given against the Belichick / Brady combination. Will they have enough steam to power through 4 quarters in Foxboro? Probably not.

My Pick: Patriots

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2012-13 Picks - NFL - Divisional Playoffs (Saturday)

This weekend doesn't really need much set up. So I’ll just drop a few names. Peyton Manning. Ray Lewis. Aaron Rodgers. Patrick Willis.

Enjoy.

Saturday, January 12

Baltimore @ Denver | 3:30 pm CT
This is by far the hardest game for me to pick in these playoffs. Between Peyton Manning, Ray Lewis, Ray Rice, John Harbaugh, Champ Bailey and Von Miller, there’s so much on both sides of the ball that it’s more / less a coin flip. The weather seems to suit the Ravens. But Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning and he’s hungry to get back to the Superbowl. But after watching Rey Lewis’ postgame speech after beating the Colts, it’s tough not to be pumped up for the Ravens. Then again Von Miller has really been getting to the QB this year. It was a tough enough decision that I literally flipped a coin to decide. Best of 7 tosses. Heads, Broncos. Tails, Ravens. Ravens came out on top 4-3 and I was okay with that decision.

My Pick: Ravens

Green Bay @ San Francisco | 7:00 pm CT
I’ve been skeptical of the Kaepernick move to start at QB since it happened. At every opportunity that I expected him to flop, he seemed to dodge a bullet. This is the playoffs now and Aaron Rodgers is a straight shooter with a scope on his rifle. The Packers offense is healthy and the pressure is on. As Stephen A. Smith likes to say, “he’s a baaad man” and it’s tough to pick against him playing back on the west coast where he’s from.

My Pick: Packers

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2012-13 Picks - NFL - Wild Card Weekend (Sunday)

As I mentioned the other day, the anticipation surrounding both of these match ups is off the charts. We might be seeing the last of legends like Ray Lewis. Coach Chuck Pagano returns to coach against his former team. Two rookie Quarterbacks (Russell Wilson and RG3) will duel in the nation’s capitol. It’s going to be a hell of a Sunday.

Sunday, January 6

Photo Courtesy: Colts.com

Indianapolis @ Baltimore | 12:00 pm CT
I was 100% geared up and ready to confidently pick the Colts over the extremely experienced and hungry Ravens team. In what might have been the last playoff run for Ed Reed and without Ray Lewis, the Colts seemed poised for an upset. The return of head coach Chuck Pagano and a win over the Texans to close the season, all the chips were falling into place... until Ray Lewis announced that he would indeed be playing and that it would be his last run. It seemed to deflate the energy around Indy and shift the momentum clearly in the favor of the home team. It will be close, but I can’t see Ray not winning his last game in Baltimore.

My Pick: Ravens

Seattle @ Washington | 3:30 pm CT
Everyone from pundits, to players to fans seems to be high on the Seahawks and their potential to cause playoff havoc. Rightfully so because they’ve been stellar to end the year. The secondary and their hard hitting, ball-hawking style of play; Russell Wilson and his mistake free football; and Pete Carroll and his unmatched motivation and energy on the sidelines. But there’s a special player on the other side of the ball that goes by the name of RG3. There’s concern about his explosiveness, especially against the fast, hard-hitting Seawhawks. We often forget about RG3’s elite completion % (Top 5 in the league) and his 4:1 TD:INT ratio. Oh, and Alfred Morris ain’t bad either.

My Pick: Redskins



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2012-13 Picks - NFL - Wild Card Weekend (Saturday)

When it comes to excitement, on paper Saturday’s games are the lesser of the two when compared to Sunday. But the way we’d expect these match ups to play out is usually not how they do. In fact, I’m expecting a pretty valiant effort from everyone involved. A lot is on the line; Pride, contract extensions, respect and much much more.

Saturday, January 5

Cincinnati @ Houston | 3:30 pm CT
If you feel a sense of Déjà vu that this match up has happened before, you’re intuition is correct. It’s actually the exact same game as last year’s opening contest for Wild Card Weekend. Same situation. Same time. The only differences being that the Texans have Matt Schaub playing this time. Also, the Bengals feel like a better team. Although, I don’t think it’ll matter all that much.

My Pick: Texans

Minnesota @ Green Bay | 7:00 pm CT
The second game on Saturday is a rematch of the Week 17 match up that knocked the Chicago Bears out of playoff contention and left Adrian Peterson just 9 yards shy of an NFL record for rushing yards in a season. His performance likely wrapped up the comeback player of the year honors for AP (in my opinion) and more importantly secured a chance to play the Packers at Lambeau. The biggest difference in this game compared to last week is the environment. I like Christian Ponder, but he hasn’t been nearly as strong on the road – especially in what I believe is his first playoff appearance. (I’d have to check my facts). This seems like an appropriate time for Peterson to run out of gas.

My Pick: Packers

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