NFL Playoffs - Divisional Round Preview

After a week off following the bye week, four division winners will be in action this weekend as the NFL Playoffs advance to the Divisional Round.
The New England Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens and the Seattle Seahawks do the same against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday while the Green Bay Packers host the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos play at home against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The following offers a capsule style look at the four games this weekend with the Heftyinfo predictions following up.

Saturday, January 10

AFC Divisional Round Game 

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - The Ravens have had the Patriots number in two of the last three meetings in the playoffs, but that was when they had Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and others who are no longer playing on their defense.
The Patriots are healthy and have a better secondary than Baltimore, so it stands to reason the Pats will win this round.

NFC Divisional Round Game

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks -  The Panthers magic carpet ride ends this Saturday night in the Great Northwest. The Seahawks are BETTER defensively in all areas and they have a more potent and balanced attack on offense.

Sunday, January 11 

NFC Divisional Round Game

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers - The Packers have the home field advantage (8-0 this season) while the Cowboys were a perfect 8-0 on the road this season ... so something has to give.
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers has been nursing an injured calf muscle so that may have impact on the game if he's not 100 percent. Dallas lucked out with a terrible officiating crew in their corner last weekend that helped them to win against Detroit. This time they will have to earn a victory, but it's not going to happen in Lambeau Field.

AFC Divisional Round Game

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos - Is Peyton Manning ready to advance in the playoffs against the guy (Andrew Luck) who took his place on the Colts roster two years ago?
Yes he is ... and the Broncos will beat the Colts like a drum this Sunday afternoon in the Mile High City.


The Heftyinfo predictions for the Divisional Playoffs  . . . . .     (Home teams are listed in BOLD)

New England over Baltimore
Seattle over Carolina
Green Bay over Dallas
Denver over Indianapolis

Last Week's Record:  1-3

PLAYOFF RECORD:  1-3