NFL Divisional Playoff Weekend

Last week I covered the NFL Wild Card weekend going 4 for 4 and bringing up several scenarios that would forever be sketched in the minds of fans and NFL writers. Pointing to the emotional ride in Baltimore of Ray Lewis's last game to the ultimate physical destruction of Robert Griffin III in Washington D.C. Twitter follower @TheEsquireof212 in New York asked which NFL teams would cover the lines. Suggestion Seattle Seahawks -3 over the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens - 7 against the Indianapolis Colts that turned out great right Michael?

Now we enter the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs great story lines are endless this weekend as  Ray Lewis brings leads the Ravens into Mile High (great name for a stadium especially in Denver) to square off with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. The offensive minded Green Bay Packers will try to strike a match at Candlestick Park against the feared defense of the San Francisco 49ers. While the Houston Texans look to revenge a 42-14 loss on December 10th to the New England Patriots and Tom Brady. Last but not least Rookie of the Year candidate Russell Wilson brings the spirit of the Seattle Seahawks 12thMan over 3,000 miles into the Georgia Dome facing high explosive offense of Matt Ryan's Atlanta Falcons.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos Jan 12th 4:30 pm EST (CBS)

Coming into Denver the Baltimore Ravens are playing for their leader and head General Ray Lewis and a chance at the AFC Championship. While the Denver Broncos offense and defense are playing at an elite level. Most sports writers are going to gloat over seeing the Ravens defense face off against Peyton Manning's Broncos offense but the real story is the Denver Broncos third rated defense. The same defense that carried Tim Tebow and his anemic offense to the AFC Divisional playoffs last season. They say Ray Lewis, I say Von Miller, they say Ed Reed I say Champ Bailey, they say Ravens defense I say Broncos defense. I am sure you get the point Peyton Manning is playing with the third best defense in the NFL best defense in the AFC. Broncos offense has scored over 30pts eleven times this season. During the regular season the Ravens have given up 23pts eight times losing six out of eight.

Prediction: Broncos score over 23pts and Willis McGahee will be available for the AFC Championship.

Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers Jan 12th 8:00 pm EST (FOX)

Perfect NFL classic match up 49ers and Packers at Candlestick doesn't get any better than seeing two historic franchises do battle in the playoffs. We can sit here and count championships on both sides but none of this matters on Saturday when Aaron Rodgers squares off against the vaulted 49ers defense and a healthy Justin Smith returning from injury. While the 49ers will enjoy home field advantage on Saturday, Rodgers is no stranger to playoff games on the road winner of three road playoff games and two road victories away from the all time record for Quarterbacks. Still the Packers offensive line has been a house of horrors plainly said "the Packers offensive line is terrible". Rodgers was sacked an NFL high 51 times during the regular season. Aldon Smith and the 49ers defensive front seven will be ready and well prepared to manhandle the Packers up front. Yes, Kaepernick is young his never played in the postseason "blah, blah" but he will be in front of 70,000 of his closes friends at the Stick.

Prediction: San Francisco 49ers will keep the defense hunting all day forcing Aaron Rodgers to launch awkward and untimely passes down the field  while the "Smith Brothers" will be eager to clean house.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons Jan 13th 1:00pm EST (FOX)

Game of the week two perfectly good teams with contrasting styles squaring off at the Georgia Dome. Atlanta Falcons are a very finesse pass first team with multiple weapons controlled by one of the great young QB's in the NFL Matt Ryan. Seattle Seahawks are a brutal run heavy offense led by Rookie of the year candidate Russell Wilson and Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch. Falcons defense is very opportunistic with a ball hawking secondary with a very vanilla type NFL front. Seahawks are big up front, fast in the middle and HUGE in the secondary built on power and speed they posses the number one scoring defense in the NFL. Unfortunately many take this view of comparing offense against offense and defense versus defense this is the wrong approach. This is not Matt Ryan versus Russell Wilson, this is Ryan versus Sherman, Browner and the Legion of Boom. Tony Gonzalez and Jacquizz Rogers play will be the best measure of Falcons success in the NFC Divisional playoffs. Seahawks young linebackers KJ Wright and Bobby Wagner must challenge Gonzalez. On the other end Falcons must attack Marshawn Lynch and wrap up at the point of contact while keeping Russell Wilson in the pocket.

Prediction: One of the best playoff games in recent memory Matt Ryan will have the ball for the last drive seeking a game winning career defining touchdown against the leagues best defense... keyword "seeking"

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots Jan 13th 4:30pm EST (CBS)

Based on the 42-14 thumping the Patriots handed the Texans in week 14 at Gillette Stadium many are predicting another double digit blowout. Silly Rabbits Trix are for Kids, Texans and Patriots match up really well despite the week 14 debacle Andre Johnson, and Arian Foster are real top 5 players at their positions. Texans defense is very underrated but can they handle Tom Brady?
Facts: Brady is (16-6) in the NFL playoffs a win over the Texans moves Brady over Joe Montana on the all time win list for QB's.Brady undefeated in the playoffs when attempting over 30 passes in a playoff game. Patriots running back Stevan Ridley finished the season with 1,230 rushing yards. Gronkowski is finally healthy. Last main point Brady has finally found chemistry with Brandon Lloyd and the Patriots 2013 team might be better than 2012.

Prediction: Texans will not lose 42-14 expect a closer match up on Sunday still Patriots offense is too much for the Texans to keep up shoot out???

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AFC 2012-2013 Playoff "Predictions"

At JMC Sportsbook we believe in "Just Making It Count".Last season we predicted the Baltimore Ravens to gain track and make it to the Super Bowl. Our "Chrystal 8 Ball" was one game and a TD drop away from seeing those predictions come to fruition. This season we are looking into our "Chrystal 8 Ball" one more time, lacing up our boots, putting on the hard hat and going out on the limb by bringing you are 2012-2013 AFC playoff picture.

I know it's early but what's a prediction if we wait until mid-season? Waiting until week 10 is not a prediction its common sense. We don't have to wait and see if the Houston Texans are real contenders or if last season was a fluke. I am not waiting for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots to set the world on fire with deep passes to Brandon Lloyd. Look you deserve predictions and real possible outcomes you want to know who's hot and who's going to fall of the face of the earth before it happens. Did JMC Sportsbook not believe in young cubs Andy Dalton and AJ Green to only see them flourish into hungry Bengals in Cincinnati?

So here's the "Chrystal 8 Ball" hopefully it's not broken or in need of a refund. By the way our 8 Ball is made in America not in China like some of that other stuff....

1.) New England Patriots: Tom Brady coming off his second Super Bowl defeat to Eli Manning and the New York Giants has t be seething at the opportunity to see football Sunday's again. Bill Belichick the ultra competitive coach "some's to competitive" can't wait to dissect team defenses with Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Aaron Hernandez and Ron Gronkowski. Patriots hampered by injuries and lack of concentration "Brady to Welker" dropped a golden opportunity to win their 4th Super Bowl since 2001. In 2011-2012 NFL season the schedule is soft and I mean"Charmin soft". Patriots face only four playoff teams from last season and 17-0 is not out of the picture. Prediction:14-2

Key Home Games: 

Oct. 7th vs. Denver

Dec. 10th vs. Houston

Dec. 16th vs. San Francisco

Key Away Games:

Sept 23rd @ Baltimore

Sept 30th @ Buffalo

2.) Houston Texans: Possibly the most powerful offense "West of the Mississippi" led by a monster pack at the running back position Arian Foster and Ben Tate combined for over 2,000 yards last season. Look for the pair to repeat and Arian Foster to cement himself as the best RB in the NFL. Texans defense ranked 3rd against the (189.7) and 4th against the rush (96.0) the lost of DE Mario Williams will not deter the Texans from posting similar defensive stats in the 2012-2013 season. Texans drafted two Defensive Ends in the 2012 NFL Draft Whitney Mercilus (1st Rd) and Jared Crick (4th Rd.). The only question which is huge for the Texans is health can Andre Johnson play a full season without injury and can Schaub stay up right in the pocket and away from the doctors office? Prediction: 12-4

Key Home Games: 

Oct 14th vs. Green Bay

Oct 21st vs. Baltimore

Key Away Games: 

Sept 23rd @ Denver

Dec. 10th @ New England

3.) Cincinnati Bengals:The young Bengal cubs shocked 99.9% of NFL experts with a successful 2011-2012 season after cutting and pawning off Terrell Owens and Ocho Cinco (Chad Johnson). The Bengals watched Carson Palmer walked away as rookies Andy Dalton and AJ Green took over for Cincinnati. The young'ns picked up the slack and performed greatly of course that was with Cedric Benson providing 1,067 rushing yards but the Law Firm "Jarvis-Green Ellis and assoc." should provide equal to greater value than Benson 2011. Bengals defense was top 10 against both the pass and the rush and expect that unit to duplicate those numbers in the AFC North. Due to Cincinnati's easy schedule we have the Bengals pegged to surprise again and win the AFC North. Prediction: 10-6 yes, fearless!!

Key Home Games:

Oct 21st vs. Pittsburgh

Dec. 30th vs. Baltimore

Nov. 11th vs. New York (Giants)

Key Away Games:

Sept 10th @ Baltimore

Dec. 23rd @ Pittsburgh

4.) San Diego Chargers: San Diego Chargers have the best first half schedule in the AFC. No, I don't believe the Chargers are better than the Broncos but sometimes the best team doesn't always win the division. Take a long look at the Broncos schedule and you will see why the Chargers are pegged to win the AFC West and why 9-7 might be the call. Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates are still in powder blue and bolt yellow. The growth of Malcolm Floyd into a #1 receiver is tremendous and the Chargers 6th ranked passing game will continue even with the shipping out and departure of Vincent Jackson.  Ryan Mathews is a young up and coming RunningBack but albeit with some health concern issues. The defensive line should be improved with (1st rd.) DE Melvin Ingram out of South Carolina added to the lineup. Honestly the AFC West is a throw up and the Chargers have the best schedule... Prediction: 9-7

Key Home Games: "all of them"

Key Road Games: "ditto"

5.) Buffalo Bills: The turnaround of the year award goes to the Buffalo Bills. Bills have more defensive and offensive weapons flying under the radar and the signing of Mario Williams with a friendly schedule makes them scary. Remember Buffalo opened their 2011 campaign 4-1 defeated the New England Patriots 34-31 in week 3 while Fred Jackson rushed for over 110 yards in four out of the first six regular season games. That Buffalo team eventually went on a long losing streak in the middle of the season but Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jackson gave the Buffalo fans hope and in 2012 that hope will pay off. Expect Buffalo defense to improve with addition of Mario Williams who signed a new deal worth $100 million. Bills pass D was ranked 28th last season. Prediction: 11-5

Key Home Games: 

Sept 30th vs. New England

Key Road Games:

Oct 7th @ San Francisco

Nov. 4th @ Houston

Nov. 11th @ New England

6.) Pittsburgh Steelers: The question for the Steelers coming into the 2012-2013 season is can they stay healthy? Steelers open the season with health concerns haunting starting runningback Rashard Mendenhall. Also Steelers Linebacker and defensive James Harrison is deal with a nagging knee issue and rookie Guard David DeCastro is with an unfortunate knee injury as well. Steelers come into the season beat up but lucky their schedule offers some breathing room. The schedule gives the terrible towels a early season bye week (4) and their top ranked pass defense is still alive. Under new offensive coordinator Todd Haley expect Ben Roethlisberger to air out the football to reliable targets Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. For once offense will be the call in Pittsburgh as the defense and terrible towels hold serve. If the O-Line can heal expect the Steelers to make a run in the AFC North. Prediction: 10-6

Key Home Games: 

Nov 18th vs. Baltimore

Dec 23rd vs. Cincinnati

Key Away Games:

Sept 9th @ Denver

Oct 21st @ Cincinnati

Nov 4th @ New York (Giants)

Dec 2nd @ Baltimore

Note: Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens are AFC mainstays how can you deny teams with leaders Peyton Manning and Ray Lewis? Then you look at the team schedules and you shake your head. The Bronco's schedule is the equivalent of a "rich trying to get into heaven" of finding a needle in a haystack. Baltimore Ravens schedule is horrendous and with tough divisional rivals Bengals and Steelers the season is not a cake walk Terrell Suggs get healthy soon. I heard the rumors of the Titans but I don't trust them Steve Fisher is gone to St. Louis and I don't think they make it after a huge coaching change over and a first time season starting QB.

Follow us on Twitter @JMCSPORTSBOOK or feel free to leave a comment below
Twitter link: http://twitter.com/#!/JMCSPORTSBOOK 

Also listen to Clenaure Carter U.S. Sports Correspondent on Israel Sports Radio http://israelsportsradio.com/      

Also check out Pro Sports Lives at http://www.prosportslives.com/ every Saturday 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST....