NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Preview

NFC


#3 New Orleans Saints vs. #2 San Francisco 49ers
Date: Saturday, January 14th 2012, 4:30 EST (FOX)
Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
Previous Meeting(s): None


When San Francisco has the Ball:
The 49ers pride themselves on running the ball, wearing down defenses, and holding onto the football. They are very successful in all 3 aspects, as they ranked 8th in Running the ball (128 YPG), and they rank 1st in the NFL in Turnovers (10). The lead back is Frank Gore (282 Carries 1,325 Total Yards and 8 TD's). Meanwhile the man who people thought was a bust in Alex Smith has been a solid game manager (3,144 Pass Yards 17 TD's 5 INT's) his 5 INT's is the fewest in the NFL by a Starting QB and he is another reason why the 49ers are 13-3 this season. The 49ers won't score in bunches but because of their great defense (16th against the Pass, 1st against the Run) and their ability to manage the clock and hold onto the football, they have a chance to beat any team. Their offense is in for a tough test as they will have to match the Saints prolific, but thanks to one of the best Defenses in recent memory, a W is very possible.

While Patrick Willis gets the headlines, new All Pro MLB
Navarro Bowman is a force on this 49ers Defense

Keys to the Game:
1.) Don't give Brees time to throw
2.) Protect Alex Smith
3.) Kill the Clock


When New Orleans has the Ball:
The Saints are a magical team when they get to play back home in the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome. When they are at home they put up numbers like its Madden on Rookie Mode. They are a different team on the road however, and that may cost them when they travel to San Francisco. The Saints average roughly 27 PPG on the road and finished the regular season 5-3 when they can't sleep in their own beds. They did manage to turn things around in the 2nd half of the season after starting out 5-3, they have won 9 straight games (including their playoff win against the Lions on Saturday). The Saints will take their 6th ranked Rushing Offense on the road to Candlestick but are doubtful to find much success as they take on the best Run D in the game. Expect the Saints to rely on Drew Brees a lot in this game, and depending on the weather he could see a drop in his performance. There is no question the Saints have a much better Offense then the 49ers, but they will have their toughest test of the year next Saturday.


Keys to the Game:
1.) Attack the 49ers Secondary
2.) Make Smith throw the football
3.) Hold onto the football


Prediction: Saints 24
                    49ers: 17


#4 New York Giants vs. #1 Green Bay Packers
Date: Sunday, January 15th 4:30  EST (FOX)
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Previous Meeting(s): Packers 38 Giants 35


When Green Bay has the Ball:

If Aaron Rodgers wants to win another Lombardi
he is going to have to hope his defense will back him up

The Packers are led by likely MVP Front Runner Aaron Rodgers (4,643 Pass Yards 45 TD's 6 INT's). Rodgers is blessed with 2 great options at WR in Pro Bowl WR Greg Jennings (67 Catches 949 Yards 9 TD's) and Jordy Nelson (68 Catches 1,263 Yards 15 TD's). The Packers Offense is No.1 in the league in PPR (35) and they only turned the ball over 14 times this season a franchise record. The Packers are a disciplined football team, and Aaron Rodgers has proven he can pick apart any defense, and make plays late in the game. The Packers didn't run much in the regular season but Head Coach Mike McCarthy says he wants to get the run going in the playoffs. The Packers may have a chance to do that now with a healthy offensive line for the first time since Week 3. The Packers will be in for a rough road in order to win another title.

Keys to the Game:
1.) Stop the Giants Front Four
2.) Attack the Giants Secondary 
3.) Create Turnovers


When New York has the Ball:
The Giants excel at one thing and this is throwing the football. Pro Bowl QB Eli Manning (4,933 Pass Yards 29 TD's 16 INT's) and WR's Victor Cruz (82 Catches 1,536 Yards 9 TD's) and Hakeem Nicks (76 Catches 1,192 Yards 7 TD's) have helped lead the Giants to the 5th best passing attack in the NFL. The passing attack shouldn't have any trouble against a Packers Defense that ranks last in the league with nearly 300 YPG.Th After Sundays game against the Falcons, the Giants proved that they do have a running game, and Brandon Jacobs is leading the charge because of his ability to break tackles and help run down the clock. The key to the game will be how Eli Manning does against a Packers Defense that led the NFL with 31 Interceptions.


Keys to the Game:
1.) Put Pressure on Rodgers
2.) Don't Force Anything
3.) Run out the Clock


Prediction: Packers: 35
                   Giants: 28




AFC


#4 Denver Broncos  vs. #1 New England Patriots
Date: Saturday, January 14th 2012, 1:00 EST
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Previous Meeting(s): Patriots 41 Broncos 23


When New England has the Ball:
The New England Patriots continue to be led by All Time Great QB Tom Brady (5,235 Pass Yards 39 TD's 12 INT's) and he always performs year after year. This year he had a new favorite weapon in TE Rob Gronkowski (90 Catches 1,327 Yards and 17 TD's) as Gronkowski set a new NFL Record for most Receiving Yards and TD's by a TE in one season. Bradys familiar target Wes Welker (122 Catches 1,569 Yards and 9 TD's). The Patriots are a finely tuned offensive machine ranking 2nd in Pass Yards and 3rd in PPG (32) and they rank 3rd in the NFL with their +17 Turnover Differential. If the Patriots have to run the ball BenJarvus Green-Ellis ( 826 Total Yards and 11 TD's). Against a solid Broncos Defense the Patriots won't be perfect, but they shouldn't have much problem putting up 30 points.




Keys to the Game:
1.) Throw it to Gronkowski
2.) Win the Turnover/Takeaway Battle
3.) Stop Tebow!

After Tebow threw for 316 yards against the Steelers,
he could be in for an even bigger game against the Patriots

When Denver has the Ball:Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow that is the name of the game for the Denver Broncos. After 3 games of passing so bad that the Broncos were ready to put Brady Quinn in, Tebow showed everyone he can be a Starting Quarterback in the NFL. Tebow made big passes against the No.1 Steelers Defense when it mattered most. Tebow finished with 316 Passing Yards and 2 Passing TD's to go along with 1 rushing. The Broncos Passing Game and Running game relies upon Tebow and when he is on, the Broncos are going to win. Tebow should have few problems against the Patriots 31st ranked Pass Defense, especially coming off a tremendous game on Sunday. The problem for the Broncos will be Tom Brady, and how can the Broncos offense match the Patriots. It all could come down to the 4th Quarter, and if it does it will be Tebow Time!

Keys to the Game:
1.) Let Tebow throw it
2.) Attack Tom Brady
3.) Keep it Close in the 4th Quarter

Prediction: Patriots: 31
                   Broncos: 27


#3 Houston Texans vs. #2 Baltimore Ravens
Date: Sunday, January 15th 2012, 1:00 EST (CBS)
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Previous Meeting(s): Ravens 29 Texans 14


When Baltimore has the Ball:

If the Ravens want to make it to the Super Bowl, they will need
to start relying more on Ray Rice

The Baltimore Ravens are the type of team that leaves you scratching your head as to why. Why don't they give the ball to Ray Rice (2,068 Total Yards 15 TD's) more often. Rice is the Ravens Swiss Army Knife on Offense. He has become one of Joe Flaccos' favorite targets. Even if Rice is blocking, Flacco does have other options. WR Anquan Boldin (57 Catches 887 Yards 3 TD's) and rookie WR Torrey Smith (50 Catches 841 Yards 7 TD's). There are weapons on this Ravens team, it is just a matter of knowing how to use them. The Ravens will be in for a challenge when they take on a impressive Texans Defense that ranks 4th against the Run and 3rd against the pass. If the Ravens want to win this game they will have to give it to Rice often, and also hope Joe Flacco can prove he is a capable of leading his team to a Super Bowl.
Keys to the Game:
1.) Hand it off to Rice
2.) Shutdown Arian Foster
3.)  Force Early Turnovers


When Houston has the Ball:
The Texans are in for a very difficult test next Sunday when they go on the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans offense led by the two head monster of Arian Foster (1,841 Total Yards and 12 TD's) and Ben Tate (1,040 Total Yards and 4 TD's) will be going against a Ravens defense that ranks 2nd against the run,allowing only 92 YPG on the ground.  It was evident in Week 6 when Foster and Tate combined for only 90 yards on the ground as the Texans fell flat in a 29-14 defeat. Things will be very different this time though as the Texans will have Andre Johnson back, which should give the RB's more room to run. The real question in this game though will be how can rookie QB T.J Yates handle one of the toughest, and most experienced defenses in the league. The Texans have a chance to do something special in their first playoff trip ever, and a Win against the Ravens would put them one step closer to their first ever Super Bowl.

Keys to the Game:
1.) Use the Play Action
2.) Make Flacco win the game
3.) Bring on the Blitz

Prediction: Ravens: 20
                   Texans: 13