Meanwhile, the top seed in the NFC involves a rematch of a lopsided rout from earlier this season when the Seahawks thrashed the Saints in Seattle. Of course, the Seahawks are again considered to be the favorites not only to win this weekend, but represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. However, it was only three years ago that New Orleans was presumed to be far superior to the 7-9 Seahawks in a Wild Card playoff game in Seattle. As it turned out, Marshawn Lynch went full-on "Beast Mode" and gave us the legendary crotch grab on the way into the end zone as the Seahawks stunned the Saints. So while Seattle won both of those meetings with New Orleans up in the Great Northwest, we know all too well that there's a real danger to reading too much into regular season meetings. Surely Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and the rest of the Saints learned some lessons and put up a better fight this time around, no?
There were certainly a few surprises last week as road teams took three of the four games, so it seems reasonable to assume we'll very well get an upset or two or three this week.
I've omitted Yahoo since their one expert never posted picks, but here's how everybody else did in the first round:
1. Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 4-0
2. Eric Allen, ESPN: 3-1
2. John Breech, CBS Sports: 3-1
2. Mike Ditka, ESPN: 3-1
2. Merril Hoge, ESPN: 3-1
2. Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 3-1
2. Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 3-1
2. Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: 3-1
9. Will Brinson, CBS Sports: 2-2
9. Jamey Eisenberg, CBS Sports: 2-2
9. Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 2-2
9. Prediction Machine, CBS Sports: 2-2
9. Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 2-2
9. Adam Schefter, ESPN: 2-2
9. SportsNation, ESPN: 2-2
9. YOURS TRULY: 2-2
17. Cris Carter, ESPN: 1-3
17. Mike Golic, ESPN: 1-3
17. KC Joyner, ESPN: 1-3
17. Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports: 1-3
17. Dave Richard, CBS Sports: 1-3
22. Keyshawn Johnson, ESPN: 0-4
22. Josh Katzowitz, CBS Sports: 0-4
24. Tom Jackson, ESPN: 1-3 "2-2"
As for this week, here's the Mother Ship where things are always subject to change:
And here's CBS Sports:
As for me, I'm hesitant to say these are in descending order of confidence, but take them however you want:
I got burned by the Saints last week in a close game in Philadelphia, but the Seahawks are a different breed of animal. In addition to the environment at CenturyLink that most observers believe is going to make it impossible for any road team to overcome, there's also the fact that Seattle's defense is simply far superior to that of the Eagles. The Seahawks can get physical and were able to make Jimmy Graham otherwise useless in the previous meeting. I don't see how New Orleans can succeed on the ground or in the air against Seattle. There is the possibility that maybe the Saints defense can hold the Seahawks offense in check and keep the game close enough for Brees to pull this one out late, but I simply cannot go against Seattle this early in the playoffs. Pete Carroll's team has worked all year to secure home field advantage after last year's exit, and I'd be pretty stunned if they let it go to waste.
Carolina Panthers over San Francisco 49ers
San Diego Chargers over Denver Broncos
This is probably the game I'm most looking forward to, sure to be a matchup of two elite defenses in which a single score could prove to be huge. As well as the Niners have been playing in recent weeks now that the team is healthy again, the Panthers defense has exceeded even my own high expectations I had for them entering this season. Carolina should be able to limit the types of tuns Colin Kaepernick was able to absolutely ruin Green Bay with last week. I do have some concerns about what the Panthers are able to get done offensively, as Steve Smith is banged up and the three-headed running game's going to have a stiff challenge. Still, in the end, Cam Newton has been surprising many doubters all year long and I suspect that this game is going to be decided on a big play or drive from his arm.
Consider me in on another underdog. This has nothing to do with any belief that Peyton Manning is "cursed" or he can't play in cold weather. Rather, I'm fairly confident that Manning will play well. Instead, I suspect it will be one of his receivers or running backs that does him in with a key fumble. Furthermore, the biggest concern is Denver's defense. Philip Rivers has been playing lights out all season long, and the Chargers were remarkably efficient throughout the game last week in Cincinnati. I'm counting on this contest being the shootout of the week, and in the end, the Bolts break the hearts of bronco fans.
Indianapolis Colts over New England Patriots
Make no mistake, the Colts defense looked awful last weekend. Indy gave up more than 40 points to a Chiefs team that lost Jamaal Charles early in the contest. Still, they pulled off a thrilling comeback that proved Andrew Luck doesn't quit. I doubt that the New England secondary will allow T.Y. Hilton to accumulate the yardage he amassed against Kansas City, but there's other weapons on that offense (no, not the disappointing Trent Richardson). This is not to mention that there are also concerns about the Patriots. With Rob Gronkowski out, Tom Brady will have to be targeting some rather pedestrian receivers. On the ground, Stevan Ridley's been in the doghouse more than a few times for issues relating to fumbling. Perhaps Shane Vereen has another dynamite post-season showing, but I simply think that Indianapolis pulls off the upset through a combination of key turnovers and big plays. I have long been one of the big believers in New England every year, but just like last season, I'm again sensing that this team simply doesn't have enough to end up in another confetti shower.
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