The Five Things You Need To Know Before Watching Playoff Football

AFC & NFC Match-ups are on Fire - here are some things to note

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By Aolani Donegan

The Match-Ups are set and each team has a legitimate shot to win! Here are FIVE very important things to consider while watching. It's Win or Go Home

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Tell me what you think...

1. NO SAINTS V. SF 49ERS

Keep in mind that this 49ers team has never been to the playoffs. They are facing tremendous experience and veteran leadership in Drew Brees. The 49ers are the #1 run defense in the NFL coming into this game but RB Pierre Thomas is back and although his season was quiet - his teammates call him "an animal." - Will SF have an attack plan ready for the Saints? Sure, but keep in mind as you watch that last game Drew Brees and the Saints set a record for 616 total yards. If the 49ers stuff the run and Brees takes to the air, question then becomes "Can the 49ers handle the pressure of a game this big?" Will their defense sack Brees? There defense has 42 sacks this season. It's quite possible that American is in love with the Saints, they are Sexy and they know it.

Side Note: The 49ers FG kicker leads the league, think about that!! So basically, the 49ers have trouble scoring touch downs. How will you win against a high powered offense if you can't convert in the red zone? I'm still picking the upset, 49ers at home to win!! Saints will go home.

MY PICK: SF 49ers

2. TEXANS v. RAVENS

TJ Yates went to the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Wait, you knew that right? Well, even though his win over the Bengals was great - the Baltimore Ravens will not flinch. Sadly, there is no way the Texans will get through Ray Lewis and the Defensive line. In fact, the big thing to keep in mind is that Yates is not a scrambling QB and if the offensive line does not provide protection, he will be sacked a ton. Anyone lining up against the Ravens defense is a little shook, I bet Lewis will taunt Yates at the line and if the Ravens get in his head... it's over. Also, the Ravens offense lead by Joe Flacco may be too much for the Houston defense... Actually, I almost guarantee they won't contain Ray Rice.

From NFL.COM - In Week 6 "Baltimore scored in every quarter of that contest and held the Texans to less than 300 total yards of offense (including just 93 rushing yards)"

My PICK: BALTIMORE RAVENS in monstrous fashion!!

3. BRONCOS V PATRIOTS

Tim Tebow is awesome!! Okay, we get it!! He finds ways to win. Here's Tebow's  kyptonite - he likes to throw to his left, but if the Patriots can force him to his right - they may force a lot of turnovers. Tebow will have to make adjustments quickly and it is tough to count him and the Broncos out. If history serves as a model, the Patriots will give him time to make decisions. If the Broncos play like they did against the Steelers, well then they win - but, I think Brady is not ready to sit on the couch. The Broncos are playing hurt and Brady is a "COLD WEATHER"quarterback...

My Pick: New England PATRIOTS

4. NY GIANTS V GB PACKERS

The Giants defense will make Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable and the Packers may be a tad rusty but the weather will not be bad in Green Bay. The Giants are a better road team than home team, but the Packers are 15-1 for a reason. This is a tough game to judge objectively... of course, and it could go either way. The Giants will need to get the offense rolling early because if they fall behind, it will force Eli to "make something happen" and that could equal interceptions. The GB defense is going to exploit the NY offensive line. There has already been some trash talking, but the battle of the QB's will decide this game. The Giants played choppy last week and they had several penalties that created opportunities to score. Luckily for them, the Falcons were unable to take advantage. If the Giants play that way they will lose. If GB doubles Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham better catch the ball. Up until last week, the Giants averaged around 80 rushing yards all season - they nearly doubled that in last weeks game. The Key to win will be perfection and execution. Who ever executes on offense & sets the tone defensively (which I think the Giants are in a better position to do) will win.

- One thing to keep in mind - Eli Manning has won in Green Bay, so that is one less hurdle for him mentally.

My Pick - NEW YORK GIANTS!!!

5. Lastly -

You need to know that

  • Saturday's NEW ORLEANS/SF game is on FOX 50 at 4:30pm
  • Sunday's NY/GB game is on FOX 50 at 4:30pm

 

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