2014 NFL Picks For the Divisional Round
We went a solid 3-1 straight up with our NFL picks last week, so we thought we’d keep it rolling headed into the Divisional Round. If you thought the Wild Card round was crazy, brace yourself. This week we get a Broncos/Colts rematch with Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck dueling in Denver, a classic Ravens/Patriots playoff meeting and a Dallas/Green Bay showdown. There’s also the Panthers heading to Seattle, where a 7-8-1 team will try to become just the third team in the past two years to upend the Seahawks on their home field.
The first round of the playoffs largely went as we expected it would. Had the Steelers just held serve at home, it would have gone exactly like we thought. The second round, we’re not so sure. We have a pretty good idea, though, so let’s buckle down and pick the four NFL games for this week:
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots (Favorite: Patriots -7)
Baltimore and New England have run into each other quite a bit in the playoffs lately, with two of their last four battles deciding who goes to the Super Bowl. New England is well rested and at home, so they’re the natural favorites. I doubt they cover the spread it what should be a very intense matchup, but I do like Tom Brady and co. to get past Baltimore in this one. The Pats really have been on a mission ever since everyone declared them dead in the water at 2-2. The smart money isn’t on the Ravens.
Pick: Patriots 27, Ravens 23
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks (Seahawks -11)
Seattle just doesn’t lose at home. It was nice for Cam Newton and co. to get in the playoffs and win a playoff game at home, but taking their five-game winning streak into the 12th Man’s town and getting a win is a whole different story. Carolina has the defense and running game to shock everyone, but they’re also 7-8-1 for a reason. Seattle has been playing amazing football through the entire second half of the year, so the likelihood is they exploit Carolina’s weaknesses and hold down the fort at home. This is a pretty big spread, though, so I do like the Panthers to beat it, even though they’re on the road.
Pick: Seahawks 27, Panthers 20
Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers (Packers -6)
Dallas seems like a team of destiny, which could be a very scary reality for the green and gold. They’re also 8-0 on the road this year and will come to face a Packers team that is 8-0 at Lambeau Field in 2014. Naturally, something has to break. Green Bay comes in with the obvious edge thanks to how stellar they’ve been on their home field this year, while a well rested Aaron Rodgers (calf) could be bad news for a pretty average Dallas defense.
This game is undoubtedly going to come down to what DeMarco Murray can do against a sometimes leaky Green Bay defense. If he goes nuts like he has done numerous times this year, the Packers will be in major trouble. If they stifle him early and get a nice lead, then Tony Romo can be pressured into mistakes. I’m very concerned about Dallas getting the upset, but the Pack is extremely explosive and even a team of destiny is going to find it very hard to beat them on the road right now. I’m expecting a shootout and the Pack to escape with a narrow win.
Pick: Packers 34, Cowboys 31
Indianapolis Colts @ Denver Broncos (Broncos -7)
Andrew Luck entered Denver in week one and couldn’t escape with a win. Since then, he’s rattled off 12 wins to four losses. Is it pure coincidence that he and the Colts have come full circle and must face Peyton Manning to continue their quest? Probably not, but that still doesn’t mean Luck and co. are ready for that next step. Luck is going to be very good and Indy isn’t bad, but winning in Denver is never easy and the Colts in general just aren’t a great team. Manning should exploit their shaky defense and the Broncos’ have enough defensively to force Luck into some mistakes. Ultimately, Denver should win and probably cover at home.
Pick: Broncos 33, Colts 24
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