Last week’s games did not go the way Tony and I saw them turning out. Tony split, hitting on New Orleans and Houston while missing on Denver and the New York Giants. I got only the Saints game right.

So of course you are waiting on the edge of your seats to see who we’re going to pick this week, right?

Suckers.

Here goes:

Andy’s Take

Denver at New England – This can’t possibly keep happening, can it? If Denver can get past New England I might actually pick the Broncos to go to the Super Bowl. But I don’t think they can go to Foxboro and win. Denver did lead the regular season game between these two teams until they started turning the ball over. Then the Patriots ran away with the game. New England is not nearly as unstoppable at home in the playoffs in recent years as they are during the regular season but they’re on a roll right now in spite of a weak defense.
Winner: New England

New Orleans at San Francisco – This is a match-up I’ve been waiting to see. San Francisco’s old-school, run-the-ball-and-play-defense strategy matched up with the Saints’ throw the ball all over the place tactics. New Orleans isn’t the same team on the road that it is in the Superdome. But they’re playing white-hot football right now. Though they finished 13-3, San Francisco’s body of work down the stretch isn’t quite as impressive as the Saints’ is. And while the turnaround has been impressive under Jim Harbaugh, it’s also due, at least in part, to the competition they’re playing in the NFC West.
Winner: New Orleans

Houston at Baltimore – The Texans got all phases working pretty well last week against Cincinnati. You even heard the name Andre Johnson in a meaningful situation for the first time in quite awhile. It won’t be quite as easy against Baltimore. The Ravens were undefeated at home and they played much better in games against good teams. Can the Texans stop Ray Rice? Can the Ravens stop Arian Foster? If either team succeeds in turning the other into a one-dimensional offense, they’ll probably come out ahead. TJ Yates has played pretty well for a rookie who probably expected to have an easy first season riding the pine. The injuries Houston has suffered throughout the season really could come into play here.
Winner: Baltimore

New York Giants at Green Bay – The Giants kept the earlier season meeting with Green Bay close, but at the end of the day, it was just another loss. The Giants have been playing well, err, well, better, anyway, of late. The Packers almost seemed to get bored for a short stretch. But this is the playoffs and I have no doubt they’ll come up big in this game. Some of the pundits are talking upset in this one. I think it might be the most lopsided game of the weekend.
Winner: Green Bay

Tony’s Take

Denver at New England – If this game is close, we’re doomed to another week of Tebowmania – possibly even if it’s a blowout, thanks to the talking heads at ESPN. Either why he won it, why he didn’t, etc. Seriously, it’s almost as bad as Brett Favre coverage was at his worst – and Tebow hasn’t done anything yet. If they win this week – especially with some questionable formations – you know that the fix is in. Fortunately, I don’t see it happening – I don’t see the Broncos finding a way to slow the Patriots down any more than they did in the regular season.
Winner: New England

New Orleans at San Francisco – Possibly the best matchup of the weekend, with a strong defense against a strong offense, and a mediocre offense against a mediocre defense. This one could come down to weather – if it’s bad, that probably plays a bit more into San Francisco’s hands. If not, I think New Orleans offense has the edge against a team that isn’t playoff tested.
Winner: New Orleans

Houston at Baltimore – Based on their regular season, Baltimore should have brought in St. Mary Theresa’s School for the Blind and Criminally Insane for a scrimmage – and then lost. Seriously, I don’t remember a team in recent history that was quite so up for the big games, and let down so much for the lesser ones. On paper, with the Texans using their 3rd or 4th QB, this one is a no-brainer – and that’s what worries me. Not enough to pick against them, but enough to get it in writing that I’m worried.
Winner: Baltimore

NY Giants at Green Bay – Speaking of getting it in writing…this game is another one that may have trap written all over it. My co-worker Packer fans have been mixed this week – one guy is giving the Giants a chance, while another finally admitted that the only team that scares him is the Saints. By all rights the Pack should walk away with this one – especially against a Giants team that at the end of the day couldn’t put their own division away until the last week. But at the same time, they also shouldn’t have beaten the Patriots in the Super Bowl during the Pats perfect season run – and the formula that won that one could still work today, as they still have the defensive line quality and depth to give the Packers fits. I’ll go ahead and go out on a limb on this one, just so it’s in writing – and if I’m wrong, I’ll just gloss over it like any good blogger…
Winner: NY Giants