The Armchair Quarterback’s Guide To The NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round

The Armchair Quarterback’s Divisional Round Predictions

My first week of playoff predictions were very mediocre. I went 2-2 and got the two games wrong that I most wanted to get right. Not only did my Chiefs lose, but the Chargers who only got in because they squeaked by KC’s backups in week 17 (with a little help from the officials) won their game. Do you know how maddening that is? Seriously, my team’s last playoff win was against the HOUSTON OILERS!!! Meanwhile, Mr. Philip “Bolo Tie” Rivers just skips into the playoffs at the last second and since he’s there he decides he’ll just pick up another post season win like its no big deal. (Said in my best clinched fisted, clinched teethed Seinfeld voice) “Rivers!!!”

Sorry, didn’t mean to go down that road again. Anyway, I’m putting last week behind me in more ways than one, so let’s get on to this week’s predictions.

Saints at Seahawks

Last week I picked the Saints because I believed that their playoff experience, especially at QB and head coach, would be enough to overcome going on the road against playoff newcomers Chip Kelly and Nick Foles. This week is another story. The Seahawks are SO good defensively and SO hard to beat in Seattle, I just don’t see how you could pick against them. You add in the fact that Seattle manhandled them 34-7 when they played just a little over a month ago and I think Seattle is the only logical pick here.

Saints 20
Seahawks 27

Colts at Patriots

Each week there’s one game that I have a really hard time picking and this is the one this week. I’m just really torn on the Colts. On one hand, what an amazing comeback and how impressive was Andrew Luck in bringing his team back from down 28 in the second half? On the other hand, they let Alex Smith carve them up to the tune of 378 yards with 4 TDs, so what is Tom Brady going to be able to do to them? My brain says that the Patriots have just lost too many guys to injury this year and are ripe for the picking, but my gut says that you don’t pick against Belichick and Brady when all the chips are down.

Colts 23
Patriots 24

49ers at Panthers

The Panthers are at home. The Panthers are well rested compared to the 49ers who had to survive the ridiculous temperatures of Green Bay. The Panthers also have already beaten the 49ers this season. So it only makes since that Carolina will win this one on the backs of Cam Newton and their tremendous defense, right? Well, no, actually I don’t think so. The 49ers have been playing really well down the stretch having won seven in a row. I believe in the Panthers and Cam Newton, but I think the more experienced/veteran team will take advantage of them here.

49ers 20
Panthers 17

Chargers at Broncos

I’m trying to be professional and objective here, but the truth is that what I’d really like to happen is that these two teams beat each other up so badly that after 12 overtime periods they finally just both forfeit and the winner of the NE/Indy game just goes straight to the Super Bowl. Since that isn’t likely happening, I’m going to have to go with the Broncos. I know that since SD beat Denver in Denver a few weeks back and Manning has gone one and done in the playoffs like 47 times, the Chargers will be the trendy pick. However, the Broncos just have too much offensive fire power (plus, I looked up the weather and it’s not supposed to be too cold on Sunday). It will be a high scoring game, but Manning and company will be a little too much for the Chargers.

Chargers 31
Broncos 37

Now onto the Armchair Quarterback odds and ends of the week…………