Playoffs round two: Picking the winners

Due to a slight mix-up on my part, last week’s picks didn’t make it into the paper. Things like that happen on occasion, but unfortunately for me it happened on a week that I went four-for-four. You’ll just have to take my word on that one.

Before we move on, I do want to give you a final update on the last two weeks of the regular season and my totals for the season. As for the two final weeks of the regular season I posted identical 11-5 records to finish the year with a record of 160-92, which all and all is pretty much on par with previous years.

However, it’s playoff time now and getting off to a 4-0 start is what I’m talking about. Now the trick is to keep it up through this weekend’s divisional playoff matchups. If I go 4-0 this week I may have to consider a trip to Las Vegas.

Enough said, lets get on to this week’s action. Good luck with your picks.

Saturday, Jan. 12

Green Bay at San Francisco

I think the big question in this game is whether the 49ers rookie QB Colin Kaepernick can stand up under playoff pressure. As for the Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, he’s been there and done that when it comes to playoff football, and he has a Super Bowl ring to prove it.

What the Packers do not have, however, is a running game, which means that Rodgers could easily be forced to put the ball in the air 40-45 times, and that could be risky against the opportunistic defense of the 49ers.

On the other hand, the Niners can put the ball in the hands of RB Frank Gore and expect good results against a Packer defense that gives up an average of nearly 120 yards per game.

I think that their running game and the defense are superior and rookie QB Kaepernick will hold up under pressure. Therefore I’m going with the 49ers in this one, 27-20.

Editor’s picks: Green Bay may not have the greatest running game, but I think Rodgers and Co. will explode against San Fran. The Pack wins 31-24. I’m wholeheartedly with Pink on the rest of the games, with Denver, New England and Seattle coming out on top. I was 4-0 last week, too.

Baltimore at Denver

I’m aware that LB Ray Lewis is doing his best to inspire his teammates prior to his retirement, but this game comes down to Peyton Manning vs. Joe Flacco. The Ravens play good defense, but the Broncos play better defense. The Ravens run the ball a little better, but the Broncos pass the ball much better.

In the end I look for Denver defense to hold the Ravens to under 20 points while Manning and the Bronco grind out enough points to win this game, 24-17.

Sunday, January 13

Houston at New England

There was a period of time at the beginning of the season when Houston looked like the class of the AFC. Unfortunately for Texan fans the early season success resulted from a relatively soft schedule. Yes, they did win 12 games in the regular season, but outside of RB Arian Foster their play has been spotty.

On the other hand, Tom Brady and the Pats have rounded into form and appear poised to make a serious run toward another Super Bowl appearance. The big difference in this Patriot team is the running game led by Stevan Ridley, and that to me is the difference maker.

Combine Brady, Ridley and a tough Red Zone defense and you come up with the Patriots winning this one, 33-23.

Seattle at Atlanta

I’ve been riding this Seattle team for awhile and I’m not going to get off them now. QB Russell Wilson and RB Marshawn Lynch are playing at the top of their game, and combine that with what may be the best defense in the league and you have a definite recipe for success. Add to that every team’s best friend, Momentum, is on their side as well.

The Falcons, however, will not go away easily. They too have an excellent QB in Matt Ryan and a solid running game led by Michael Turner, but defense wins in the NFL. Although the Falcon defense is solid, it is not as dominating as the Seahawks’.

As I said earlier, I’m sticking with Seattle as they advance to the AFC Championship game following a hard-fought win, 24-20.