NFL 1st Round Playoff Preview and Superbowl Pick

After an extended holiday break I'm back to break down the NFL Playoffs.
Saturday's Wildcard Games:
 Texans vs  Bengals 4:30pm
  Saints vs Lions       8:00pm
The Saturday games are probably the least appetizing of the weekend but should be close entertaining games. Most Patriot fans will be rooting for the Bengals to pull the upset, as a win by the #6 seeded Bengals would guarantee them to be the Patriots Divisional Round opponent. Houston is nursing yet another injury to the Quarterback  position as TJ Yates left Sunday's game with a left shoulder injury. While Yates is expected to play, any setback during the week would force Houston to turn to turnover machine Jake Delhomme.
  With both teams expecting to start rookie quarterbacks this game will come down to the trenches. Houston feature the dynamic backfield duo of Arian Foster and Ben Tate and both will have to have big days for Houston to advance. The Bengals counter with the productive duo of Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott. I give Houston the overall edge in the running games as they possess a better offensive line and the Bengals run defense was gashed by Ray Rice for over 180 yards in last week's must win game.
  The game's key matchup will be Bengals WR AJ Green against former Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph. Andy Dalton's effectiveness hinges on his ability to hit Green on 2 to three jump balls deep down the field a game. Joesph who was the biggest free agent pickup of the season, should limit Green and be the unsung hero in a 17-14 Texans win. I also expect the crowd to play a huge role in the team's first playoff appearance in franchise history.

There's not a whole lot to say about Lions-Saints as it is a rematch of a recent Sunday Night Football telecast. It will be a crowd pleasing shootout but the Lions pass defense almost makes the Patriots secondary look good. Lions QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson will put up points early but they're not beating Drew Bress in the Superdome. I expect the Saints to win big 49-28.

Sunday's Wildcard Games:
Giants vs Falcons 1pm
Broncos vs Steelers 4:30pm

There's no doubt in my mind the game of the weekend is Giants-Falcons. Matt Ryan will be able to use Julio Jones and Roddy White to expose the Giants secondary, but the Giants success will be determined by its defensive line. A finally healthy and motivated Osi  Umenyoria terrorized the Cowboys and should do the same to Matt Ryan. The emergence of my favorite UMASS alumni Victor Cruz and a newly discovered running game led by a health Ahmed Bradshaw will carry the Giants to a 31-24 win.

I am a fan of Tim Tebow but he's not moving the ball on the Steelers defense. This game could get tough to watch as Big Ben and his deep group of talented pass catchers will overcome  injuries in the running game and crush the Broncos 24-3.

Divisional Playoffs:
Patriots over Steelers
Ravens over Texans
Giants over Packers
Saints over 49ers

I will break down this round in more detail when it happens, but I just wanted to get on the record with my official picks. No one beats Tom Brady on a Saturday Night in Foxboro and there's no way he loses four playoff games in a row. If my wildcard picks are right and then end up playing the Steelers it will be the most excited I've ever been for a Patriots game ever. I know I might be going overboard on the Giants but this is the team I thought would beat Green Bay in the regular season and now they're finally healthy.
 
Championship Games:
Saints over Giants
Patriots over Ravens

Not at all a homer pick. The Ravens have struggled on the road all year and the weak Patriots secondary will tempt them to put the game in Joe Flacco's hands. The Patriots will return to the Superbowl with a 24-20 win. I said it above and I'll say it again no one is beating Drew Brees in the Superdome. Green Bay's loss will allow them to host this game after they squeak by the 49ers and they will sail by the Giants 34-21.

Superbowl:
Saints over Patriots
This would be a great game but we never have any luck in Indy and would get worked over by Brees in 38-34 shootout. It's a winnable game for the Patriots but I don't think we'll be lucky enough to have the ball last in this one. I'm on the record with my picks and will break down the later rounds as they happen.