2015 NFL Playoffs

So far 2015 has been a pretty good year for sports, particularly in football. We have seen some amazing college football playoff games this year, and some pretty good NFL Wild Card games too. Now we have come to the NFL Divisional Playoffs, and there are some exciting match-ups for football fans to watch this weekend.

Baltimore at New England (-7)

These two teams have been two of the best teams in the AFC for the last five years. They both have great quarterbacks, and great defenses this year. The Patriots defense has been surprising this year because their defense was abysmal last year. They are playing much better this year. The ravens defense is once again one of the best defenses in the NFL. They will be tough for Brady, and they are hard to run the ball against. New England does have the home field advantage, both teams are used to playing in the cold so neither of them have the advantage there. I know New England is a 7 point favorite and I think they are going to win, but I think it will be closer than that. I pick the Patriots to win by 3 points with a score of 23-20.

Carolina at Seattle (-11.5)

If you told me in October that the Seattle Seahawks were looking like they were going to repeat as Super Bowl Champions I would have given you a dollar so that you could buy yourself a clue. But, that was when the Seahawks were 3-3, and not playing like the team we saw destroy Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl. Things have changed. The Seahawks are once again looking like the dominant force that many expected them to be. I feel the same way about the Panthers as well. The Panthers are entering the playoffs with a losing record. In late November Carolina was looking like they might not win another game the rest of the season. The Panthers went on a 6 game losing streak, but ended the season winning their last 4, even though 3 out of 4 teams were in the NFC South with losing records. Seattle is the heavy favorite to win this game as an 11.5 point favorite. Anytime a team has to play in Seattle against the "12th Man" it is going to be a long day. Carolina has a really good defense and I don't expect Seattle to beat the spread, but I do expect them to win. I think the Seahawks win by 10 with a score of 19-9.

Dallas at Green Bay (-6)

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of a very successful season. Many fans were anticipating yet another Cowboys failing year, but this year has not been the case. Tony Romo has been proving the doubters wrong and showing them that he is a really good quarterback. The difference with this year is the offensive line. The Cowboys have a much better offensive line protecting Romo and DeMarco Murray has been running like a man on fire. They will travel to the tundra that is Lambeau Field in Green Bay, where anything over 30 degrees is considered picnic whether for the locals. The Packers will look to beat the Cowboys with star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, who is dealing with a tear in his calf muscle. It is a slight tear, but a tear nonetheless and it could tear more causing Rodgers to go out of the game and possibly the season. Green Bay has a decent defense and they are going to have to be better than that if they want to contain Murray and Romo. I still think the Packers are the better team and they will still get the job done with or without Rodgers. I think the Packers win, but don't cover the spread. I think they will squeak by the Cowboys and win by 2 points with a score of 24-22.

Indianapolis at Denver (-7)

Of course the NFL Playoffs wouldn't be the same without Peyton Manning in it. Manning will look to lead the Broncos to a victory against his former team the Colts. This has become quite the little rivalry between the two teams with the old vs the new in quarterback competition. There have been many people doubting Manning and his abilities as to what he can do on the field this weekend. I too have had some doubts, but I don't see anything to worry about here. Denver has a very good defense and a very legitimate offense. Andrew Luck and the Colts will look to carry the momentum from last week's game against the Bengals and leave Denver with a win. Denver is supposed to be a 7 point favorite, but once again I think this is going to be another game that is close and will come down to whoever has the ball last. Andrew Luck is a phenomenal quarterback and he will continue to get better throughout his career, but I don't see the Colts getting past the Broncos this year. Luck is great, but he still lacks the weapons he needs to be as successful as I know he can be. The Colts don't have a running game, and they aren't going to be able to dominant Denver's defense by passing the ball the entire game. I think the Broncos win a close game by 2 points with a score of 24-22.

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