Saints vs. 49ers +3.5
As the regular season came to an end the Saints had become the public favorite in the NFC. Offensively this team has played as well as any team I can recall over the last two months. The perception is they fling the ball all over the place, which is certainly accurate. Truth be told this unit also has a running game amongst the leagues best. Yet here we are facing a team that could be the most unheralded two seed I can recall. As of early Friday 71% of the betting public was on the Saints side yet the line had moved only a .5 since it opened. The suits are begging you to take the road favorites luckily for you the 64/60 is here to steer you straight. The 49ers have enough atheletes on defense to matchup with the likes of Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles. This gives them the ability to hold the Saints under 30 and playing the game at a pace comfortable to the 49ers. The 49ers earn their first playoff victory since 2003.
Broncos vs. Patriots U50.5
For those of us who have yet to buy a ticket for the Tebow Train it has been a miserable week. Tebow specials, Tebow polls, highlight after highlight of the flawed QB that has made God himself a fan of the NFL. With 98.5% certainty the voices should be put to rest until next season in about 36 Hours of so from now. Though I don't mind laying the 14 with the Patriots the Under seems like the better option. Assuming some devine intervention takes place and the Chosen One escapes with a Win I expect a 24-21 outcome rather than a 35-30 shootout. I could also see a scenario where the Patriots put up 38 while the Broncos fail to grab double digits. Point being more scenarios are running through my head that puts the total South of 50 then those totaling 51 or more.
Texans vs. Ravens -8
First division title, first playoff appearence, first playoff win. It's been a good season for the Texans especially considering Johnson missed about half the season and something called TJ Yates is under center on Sunday. The joyride will end come Sunday as the Texans will suffer the most lopsided loss of the weekend. The Ravens have been far from dominate this season but I expect something big for their first home playoff game since 2007. Look for the Ravens defense to outscore the Texans offense as the Ravens will yield only a FG to the undermanned and over their head Texans.
Giants vs. Packers -9
While many will reflect upon the last time the Giants came to Lambeau decissive underdogs in the playoffs I will choose to reflect on 2011. In 2011 the Giants were many things consitent was not one of them. Sure they beat the Patriots, performed admirrably against the Packers, and played their best football down the stretch. However along the way they lost to the Seahawks at Home and the Redskins twice. The Packers meanwhile won 15 out of 16 weeks yet that one setback on the road changed the publics perception it would seem. My perception however has not been clouded. This team was the best the NFL had to offer in 2010 and nothing has happened this season that has changed my opinion. While everyone is quick to point at the recent clean bill of health for the Giants the Packers are getting Clifton, Bulaga, and Jennings all back and ready for action. In their pursuit for perfection the Packers always reffered to their ultimate goal of winning back to back titles consider them a decissive step closer this Sunday.
Recap: 49ers +3.5, Patriots/BroncosU50.5, Ravens -8, Packers -9
YTD: 45-32
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