Preview of Second Round of NFL Playoffs

Preview of Second Round of NFL Playoffs

• The Baltimore Ravens will travel to Denver to play the Broncos at 4:30 on Saturday afternoon (on CBS). The Ravens will look to continue the emotional high that came from defeating the Colts last week. The Broncos, who ended the season on an 11 game winning streak, are the #1 seed in the AFC are heavy favorites. The Ravens will look to continue the season (and career) of one of the greatest players in their history, Ray Lewis who has promised to retire after the year. Anirudh’s prediction: Broncos 37 – Ravens 23.
• The Saturday night game features the Green Bay Packers traveling to take on the San Francisco 49ers at 8 PM (on Fox). This game features arguably the best quarterback in the NFL (Aaron Rodgers) facing a player who has only made 5 starts (Colin Kaepernick). It features one of the league’s best defenses (the 49ers) versus one of the league’s worst (the Packers). This will be a typical game that features an unstoppable force vs an unmovable object and should be a fantastic game. Anirudh’s prediction: Packers 27 – 49ers 24.
• Sunday afternoon, the Seattle Seahawks will fly to the east coast for the second time in a week this time to play the Atlanta Falcons at 1 PM (on Fox). This is an enigma of a game as the Falcons are the #1 seed in the NFC, but many experts are expecting the Seahawks to win. The Seahawks fantastic defense matches up well to the Falcons’ powerful offense. This game comes down to the Seahawks offense (which is hitting its stride) versus the Falcons’ defense which can show up or can be flat. Anirudh’s prediction: Falcons 27 – Seahawks 20.
• Late Sunday afternoon, the Houston Texans travel to Massachusetts to take on the New England Patriots at 4:30 (on CBS). The Texans, who ended the season on a swoon, barely defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round, will look to slow down Tom Brady and the potent Patriots’ offense. Texans’ defensive line JJ Watt will be an x-factor, if he can get to Tom Brady on a regular basis, the Texans have a shot. Anirudh’s prediction: Patriots 31 – Texans 16.