I've
already made my picks for the
first round in my playoff preview in a previous post but these are my
OFFICIAL picks for this round. Here we go...
CINCINNATI
BENGALS AT HOUSTON TEXANS, Saturday 3:30 PM (CT) NBC
This
is a rematch of last year's opening playoff game. I think this will be a lot
closer than last year's 31-10 win by Houston. The Texans have a lot to prove
going into this playoff season. Are they the #1 seed that dominated the NFL
with an 11-1 start or are they the team that finished 1-3 dropping to the #3
seed? Again, if the Texans are to make their first Super Bowl in the
franchise's short history they're probably going to have to win two home games.
That will be a moot point if they don't win today.
Cincinnati
makes a return trip to the playoffs in consecutive seasons, something that
hasn't happened since the 1980s. The talented young quarterback-wide receiver
combination between Andy Dalton and A.J. Green is something to watch for. If
Dalton is going to complete passes, he has to be on the lookout for linebacker J.J.
Watt who led the league with 20.5 sacks and is known for his ability to swat
down passes at the line of scrimmage.
Houston
is a more talented team. They should win this game, but it will be a battle.
TEXANS
24, BENGALS 17
MINNESOTA
VIKINGS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS, Saturday 7 PM (CT) NBC
Adrian
Peterson became the most recent addition to the 2,000-yard club. 6 other
players rushed for over 2,000 yards in a single-season: O.J. Simpson in a
14-game season in 1973, Eric Dickerson in 1984, Terrell Davis and Barry Sanders
in 1998, Jamal Lewis in 2003, and Chris Johnson in 2009. Peterson's season came
a year after suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for the rest of the
2011 season.
Peterson
finished the season with 2,097 yards. He was 9 yards behind breaking Eric
Dickerson's 1984 single-season rushing mark of 2,105 yards. Considering that
Peterson was returning from a knee injury, that was an outstanding performance.
It seemed like he was getting better every week.
Last
week, Peterson (literally) carried the Vikings into the playoffs with 199 yards
rushing on 34 carries and two touchdowns (a rushing and receiving score) with a
win over the Packers. Peterson also rushed for 210 yards in their first meeting
at Lambeau back in Week 13.
Since
starting 2-3, Green Bay has won 9 of their last 11 games. Aaron Rodgers has not
won a home playoff game since taking over the Packers starting quarterback in
2008. He should get that today. Green Bay is playing at home, it's the
playoffs, and they are a healthy team as many key players are returning from
injury such as safety Charles Woodson.
It
is tempting to pick Minnesota. The only way that the Vikings win is if they
have another repeat performance by Peterson that put on in Minneapolis last
Sunday.
But
Lambeau in January... Can't go against that.
PACKERS
31, VIKINGS 20
INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS, Sunday 12 PM (CT) CBS
Colts
at Baltimore... that sounds weird to all those old-school NFL fans.
This
is a tough one.... The Colts with #ChuckStrong or the Ravens with Ray Lewis
announcing his retirement from the NFL after the playoffs end....?
Joe
Flacco has never lost an opening playoff game. The Ravens have made the
playoffs every season since John Harbaugh has been the coach in 2008. Plus a
rookie quarterback going against the Ravens defense... ugh.
I
don't see the Ravens losing this opening game.
RAVENS
24, COLTS 20
SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS, Sunday 3:30 PM (CT) Fox
Seattle
at Washington.... don't the Seahawks play in Washington...
In
the department of obvious picks: The team with the rookie quarterback will win
the game.
OK,
now that's out of the way, this game has the makings of a good old fashioned
knockdown drag out fight. The Redskins have won 7 straight games en route to
their first NFC East title since I was a sophomore at Birdville High back in
1999. Seattle makes a return appearance to the playoffs since the 2010 season
when they finished the season 7-9 and made an appearance in the NFC Divisional
Round.
This
is also the third matchup between the Redskins and Seahawks in the playoffs.
Both games took place in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (2005, 2007). This
game is in our nation's capital. Apparently, one thing both political parties
can agree on is the play of Robert Griffin III or RGIII. Maybe he can solve our
looming financial crisis...
Though
RGIII gets all the credit, Alfred Morris should get some consideration for
rookie of the year. He was second in rushing yards with over 1,600 yards behind
Adrian Peterson and second in rushing TDs with 12 behind Texans Arian Foster.
Morris was a sixth round pick out of Florida Atlantic.
Both
teams come in on winning streaks. Washington has won their last 7; Seattle has
won their last 5.
I
have to give the edge in Seattle with their running game in Marshawn Lynch and
defensive/special teams unit. With the way they destroyed the 49ers in Week 16,
I think they could make a deep playoff run.
SEAHAWKS
20, REDSKINS 17
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