NFL Divisional Round Preview

There are three quarterbacks left in the playoffs that are
still on their rookie contracts. How will they fair?

I simply cannot remember the last time I was this excited for a week of football (probably since the Jets were in the playoffs). There are great matchups all over the field in all of these games, but just looking at the quarterback battles should make the most average football fan excited.

Tom Brady and Joe Flacco have each defeated each other in the playoffs numerous times. They each lead teams with completely different styles, yet they always leave us with an exciting game till the end.

Cam Newton and Russell Wilson are both grouped in as the new age of "running quarterbacks," but these two guys could not be more different. Newton uses his size and athleticism to make plays, while Wilson uses his football IQ to dissect defenses with his arm and his legs. This will be a very telling game to see the progress of these two young quarterbacks.

While Aaron Rodgers and Tony Romo are on the wrong side of 30, they are both playing the best football of their careers. Rodgers gets plenty of attention (which is very well deserved), but Romo has been a huge reason this team is still in the playoffs despite many expecting the Cowboys to be one of the worst teams in the NFL (I always admit when I am wrong).

The game in Denver show cases the new vs. the old. Andrew Luck was spectacular this year, but the Colts simply have not been able to put away the better teams in the league. Peyton Manning seemingly has lost a step a bit towards the end of the season, but he still has more than enough left in the tank to rip apart any defense in the league. This is a defining game for both of these quarterbacks, for very different reasons.

Basically, I'm saying watch carefully this week because I do not know when you will see this many great quarterbacks facing off against each other again in one weekend. Here is how we see the game playing out.

Austen's Eight Point Pick
@Seattle over Carolina

Austen: This is clearly the biggest blowout of the week, as it is the best team in the league (when you factor in the way the Seahawks play in Seattle it is not even close) against the worst team to make the playoffs. The Panthers won big at home last week, but they were losing through two plus quarters to a Cardinals team that only made three good plays in the entire first half. Carolina should have won that game by about 30 points, but made too many errors, both turnovers and penalties. The Panthers would have to play better than they ever have in the last decade to win this. I don't see it happening.

Score Prediction: Seattle 34, Carolina 20

Stally: While the 2010 Seahawks still hold the distinction of being the worst team to make the playoffs at 7-9, Carolina is a close second at 7-8-1.  The Panthers had the treat of playing a home game against QB Ryan Lindley and a Cardinals team that put up the worst offensive statistical showing in postseason history (78 yards), so they got to advance through the first round.  They won't win this one.  No way, no how.  Seattle will blow them out by at least three scores.

Score Prediction: Seattle 27, Carolina 10

Stally's Eight Point Pick
@Denver over Indianapolis

Stally: I was remissed last week that I couldn't pick against the Colts in the first round after having made that a plan for the entire season.  I was correct in spotting them the game against the Bengals, but this road game is a great opportunity to disregard an Indianapolis team that simply isn't good enough to compete with the league's elite.  The Broncos are 8-0 at home and will be able to handle a less-than-elite Colts team.

Score Prediction: Denver 34, Indianapolis 20

Austen: My love for Andrew Luck is well documented. However, he still makes costly turnovers and his receivers are all banged up. This is not a dominant offense (they simply cannot run the ball without Ahmad Bradshaw) and this is by far the worst defensive unit left in the playoffs. There is too much working against the Colts in this one. And that is before mentioning that the Colts are way worse on the road and the Broncos are simply unbeatable in Mile High.

Score Prediction: Denver 39, Indianapolis 23

Austen's Four Point Pick
@Green Bay over Dallas

Austen: There is a lot of things pushing me in the Cowboys direction, but I simply cannot do it. Aaron Rogers is the best quarterback in football and he has been other worldly at home this season. I mean 26 total touchdowns to zero, yes zero, interceptions and a passer rating over 133. That is madness. This is the best Cowboys team they have had since they won three Super Bowls, but a game in the freezing cold for a dome team is a hard thing to overcome. This is the game of the week and I think it will come down to the last minutes. I love you DeMarco Murray, but I think he is going to have a costly fumble in the bad weather (he has lost five this season).

Score Prediction: Green Bay 31, Cowboys 24

Stally: The key here is the injury to Aaron Rodgers.  He has a partially torn calf muscle.  While he's cleared to play, doctors say he won't be near 100%.  That scares me.  As the Redskins learned with RG3 in the playoffs a few years ago, it can sometimes be more harmful to play the gimpy, shell-of-himself starter as opposed to just calling on the healthy backup.  Dallas is a solid team.  The Packers can't afford to have far less than 100% of one of the league's most valuable players.  The Cowboys went 8-0 on the road this season, and while Green Bay will certainly test that mark, they've proven their capable of being road warriors.

Score Prediction: Dallas 21, Green Bay 17

Stally's Four Point Pick
@New England over Baltimore

Stally: The Ravens aren't nearly as good as the Patriots, but they don't have to be.  Baltimore has a way of getting in New England's head, and the Pats know that.  Luckily for the favorites (and my favorite), this game is being played in New England, where the Pats only loss of the season was the Week 17 meaningless mail-in.  That game combined with the bye allowed the Pats to give two weeks off for some its star players, so the team should be rested and ready to go at home.This game could easily come down to a field goal, but don't be surprised if Tom Brady and his prolific offense put up enough points to make the margin of victory larger than most of us expect.

Score Prediction: New England 31, Baltimore 20

Austen: As much as I wanted to take the Cowboys with the last pick, I wanted to take the Ravens much much more here. If there is a team to beat the Patriots in Foxboro, it is the Ravens. Joe Flacco is playing the best football of his career and their entire offense is firing on all cylinders. The Ravens defense is one of the best against the run, but their pass defense has been their biggest weakness and cost them in big games this season (their collapse against the Chargers that almost cost them a playoff berth is a perfect example).

As for the Patriots, they finally have a defense to match their dangerous offense, which is the formula that they won three Super Bowls with. If the Patriots make it through this game, I think Tom Brady will be playing in his sixth Super Bowl this year, which really really hurts to say.

Score Prediction: New England 27, Baltimore 23