Divisional Matchups

We're on the eve of another NFL playoff weekend with the divisional playoff games taking place this weekend. It's going to be another exciting weekend in my opinion. In the AFC how much better does it get than the Steelers and the Ravens and the Patriots and the Jets? The Steelers-Ravens matchup is going to be another physical matchup as it always is. I like Big Ben in this one though, the guy is just too good, he's a winner and always finds a way to win, not to mention the solids defense the Steelers have to go along with a solid offense. On the other side you have a solid quarterback in Flacco and a great Ravens defense, but I just can go against the Steelers, everytime there in these type of situations the find a way to win and when you look at this matchup the Steelers have won the last 6 matchups. I like the Steelers in this one 17-14 over the Baltimore Ravens.


Now lets move to the matchup between the trash talking team aka New York Jets and the New England Patriots. This is a highly anticipated game, mainly because all of the trash talking that the Jets think they have to do before every big game they play, especially against the Patriots, since they all hate Tom Brady. They can do all the talking they want thats not going to change the outcome of this game. Dont get me wrong the Jets might give them a good first half but once again it Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the New England Patriots, one of the hottest teams in the NFL since their lost to the Browns back in October. This team will refuse to lose and they have one of the winningest and the best quarterback in Tom Brady leading them through another battle against the overly confident Jets. I'd love to see the Jets go into Foxborough and take care of the Patriots before they make their run to yet another Super Bowl, but I just don't see that happening. The one team I believe that can beat them is the Pittsburgh Steelers who they are more than likely going to see next week in the AFC Championship game. Sorry New York I think it's going to take one more building year before we can get you into the Super Bowl, I like the Patriots (hard to say) in this one 35-17.


Moving on to the NFC, we have some interesting matchups taking place in this conference as well, also on the verge of a Chicago-Green Bay NFC Championship(which I believe will happen). First off we have Aaron Rodgers and the Packers up against Matty ice and the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have been the top team all season long in the NFC and they have a well rounded squad. There have been several games though, about 5 or 6 where they have escaped with a win. Don't get me wrong Matt Ryan is turning into a very good quarterback and it's hard to bet against him, they have a solid defense, lead by a solid defensive line, and a good coach in Mike Smith. As much as I want to see them win it's hard to go against my boy Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have been on a roll as of late and have alot of momentum coming off the wildcard win at Philadelphia. Momentum plays a large part in the playoffs and can propel a team passed a tough opponent. Both quarterbacks are turning into some of the best in the league but if i'm looking at who is going to make more big plays i'm going to have to go with Rodgers, he can do it with both his arm and his legs and it's hard to to go against that. Look for their defense to play yet another good game after shutting down Michael Vick for most of last week's game, Clay Matthews and gang will be on their toes against Ryan, Roddy White, and Michael Turner but I believe they will put the ball back in Rodgers' hands and let the offense make the big plays. I like the Packers to win a close one 20-17.

The other matchup in the NFC is the surprising Seattle Seahawks up against the Chicago Bears. No one expected the Seattle Seahawks to be here but after upsetting the Saints behind Matt Hasselbeck and Marshawn Lynch here they are. This is a very scary matchup for the Chicago Bears. The Seahawks are coming off a huge upset win over the New Orleans Saints and have nothing to lose in this one after not even expecting to be here.
I think a big portion of this game lies in Jay Cutler's hands, its up to him to be smart and not turn over the ball, manage the game and they will win. If he forces throws and tries to do too much giving the ball back to Matt Hasselbeck, who is playing in his 11th playoff game, the Bears could be in trouble. There is no doubt the Bears have a huge advantage over the Seahawks, were just going to see if Cutler can manage the game. With Matt Forte emerging late in the season they should look to control the clock behind the run game and let their solid defense control the Seahawks streaky offense. When you have Jay Cutler as your quarterback you can never tell which person is going to show up for the game. I think he's going to realize whats at stake and get his mind right to take care of the hawks. I'm not going to say this is going to be an easy one, Seattle knows they have a chance and beat them once already this season. With that being said i'm taking the Bears to beat the Seahawks 20-13 in a close one to move onto the NFC Championship game to face the Green Bay Packers.