NFL Picks of the Week: Divisional Round

NFC Divisional Matchup #1
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks 

John's Take - Don't get me wrong, the Saints are a dangerous team.  Brees is an elite Quarterback that can pick apart a defense, but so can Russell Wilson and in all honesty, his defense is better than New Orleans'.  Winner - Seattle

Scotty's Take - Seattle has one of the greatest things going for them and that is the Twelfth Man.  Sitting in one of these games years ago was an incredible experience and it will never leave my memory, I can still not hear out of my left ear. Being 15-1 in their home games over the past two seasons, the Seahawks are the best home team in the league. Winner - Seattle

AFC Divisional Matchup #1
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

John's Take - If there is any game this weekend that looks like the final fight in a Rocky movie, this one is it.  Brady and Luck will be going at it all day, dinking and dunking and dropping fifty yard bombs. I expect a high scoring game regardless of the weather, but it will come down to who will make the least amount of mistakes and that's where Brady's experience will come through.  Winner - New England 

Scotty's Take - Injuries will tell the story of this game.  The Colts are healthy and ready to play as the Patriots are facing at least six of their starters out for this game.  The Colts have shown they have a strong offense along with a decent defense that will be able to stop the Patriots depleted offense. Winner - Indianapolis

NFC Divisional Matchup #2
San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers 

John's Take - This is the best that Cam Newton has ever played.  No more pouting on the sidelines.  No more stupid mistakes, just fundamental football for him.  That makes him a very dangerous player.  By keeping cool and collect now he is a leader on that field, something that I haven't fully seen from Kaepernick yet.  Not to mention the Panthers are jelling on both sides of the ball while San Fran has been up and down all year, I think this is the end of the road for the 49ers.  Winner - Carolina

Scotty's Take - The Panthers have had a week to get healthy and will be able to show it against the 49ers.  The 49ers, coming off of a good win against Green Bay will have to run the ball early and often against one of the best run defenses in the game.  Coming down to possession, the Panthers should be able to run the clock at their own leisure. Winner - Carolina

AFC Divisional Matchup #2
San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos 

John's Take - The Broncos are angry right now.  I have heard it in every radio interview, you can feel it in the words they speak.  This team has something to prove.  They were embarrassed at home last year by the Ravens, they were embarrassed at home this year by the Chargers. The Defense will come to play, it will be an ugly day for Philip Rivers and his stupid bolo tie and I can't wait to watch the D smother #17 and for Manning to carve up that defense like a Thanksgiving Turkey.  Winner - Denver 

Scotty's Take - Two of the league’s worst defenses during the regular season square off.  This is going to be a shootout between quarterbacks that will come down to the last possession of the game.  With a veteran leader like Peyton Manning, it should be no problem.  But whoever’s defense shows up to the game will prevail. Winner - Denver 

---