Round 2 of the playoffs! With that said, here are my quick predictions on today’s games.
Will the Broncos win the rematch?
BALTIMORE (4) VS DENVER (1)
Ray Lewis’ farewell tour is extended for one more game. Sadly, it looks like that it will end right there. The top-seeded Broncos will host the Ravens and it looks like the best team in the AFC has all the tools to win this one easily.
Not only has Peyton Manning returned to play at an MVP level, but he’s also leading a Broncos offense that looked so weak last year into a dangerous weapon. Let’s not forget what the defense is all about too. This Broncos team is very dangerous after having won their last 11 games.
Joe Flacco needs to match Manning to have any chance to win this game. The running game has to help him out as well but this will come down to the quarterback play. The Ravens lost their game against the Broncos during their meeting in the regular season and it appears to be the same result this weekend.
With that said, I expect a breeze for Denver as they finish Ray Lewis’ career. The weather will be a factor so I won’t expect a high-scoring affair.
BRONCOS WIN 21-10
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Can Aldon Smith get back on track?
GREEN BAY (3) VS SAN FRANCISCO (2)
A lot has changed since their last meeting in Week 1. The 49ers have a new quarterback, a kicking dilemma and an invisible starting tight end. Let’s not forget also that their pass rush hasn’t been as fierce with Justin Smith’s injury. But the 49ers are hoping all these changes won’t be a major issue Saturday. Or will it?
If Justin Smith is ineffective, expect that to hurt Aldon Smith’s performance. And what about the quarterback? Colin Kaepernick has a huge task to take in his first playoff game. David Akers is the top kicker right now, but will he deliver?
That’s a tough one to deal with as the 49ers defense will have their hands full with Aaron Rodgers. He’s playing at a high level despite the lack of a running game. James Jones and Randall Cobb have both turned into huge weapons for the Packers and that might be a huge problem for the 49ers secondary.
The biggest concern for me actually comes with the 49ers receiving group. Without Mario Manningham, that means a lot more pressure goes on Ted Ginn and AJ Jenkins. Sam Shields and Tramon Williams will give these two, along with Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree a tough time.
I expect this to be a back and forth thriller and it could come down to a field goal. That’s how I see it end.
49ERS WIN 34-31
But at the end of the day... 