NFL Playoff Predictions; Divisional Round

Last week’s Wild Card weekend brought some very close exciting games. On paper, it looks as though we can expect the same from a few games this week. Which team will come out on top when some big time rivals go at it? Can the underdog cinderella team win another one?

The Double G Sports Expert Panel is here with our predictions but we want to hear what you have to say. Leave your predictions in the comment section of this post.

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Gregg: This is what sports is all about. Two big time rivals going at it once again. Both teams play excellent defense. Both have balanced offensive attacks. It’s a toss up. I’m going with Baltimore and Ray Rice!

Rob: These two have split their regular season series since 2007, with Pittsburgh eliminating Baltimore last year. I think this is the toughest game of the weekend, but Pittsburgh does it again in a close one.

John: Big Ben in tough spots is tough to beat. I like Pittsburgh’s defense to take a pick to the house. Pittsburgh 20-10.

Pat: Baltimore is my pick. Pittsburgh will not be ready for the defense after the layoff, and Pittsburgh isn’t that good.

Jon: Pittsburgh

Mark: This rivalry has been as good as you can get in recent years…I’ll take a rested Pittsburgh at home.

Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons

Gregg: Green Bay is one of the leagues hottest teams. Atlanta was very very solid all year long and are rested. Sometimes being rested is not a good thing. I’m going with Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers.

Rob: Green Bay was an Aaron Rodgers fumble away from potentially beating Atlanta in the Georgia Dome this year. Green Bay was my NFC Super Bowl pick and I am sticking with them.

John: Green Bay. I still like the feel of this team. Normally Matty Ice is the best QB inside his home Georgia Dome. Not Saturday. Green Bay takes it in a thriller. Green Bay 38-34

Jon: Green Bay

Pat: Atlanta, I don’t think anyone can beat them in the dome.

Mark: In my office pool, I took Green Bay to win it all. Hopefully I am right, I’ll take Green Bay to beat Ryan and the Falcons on the road.

Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears

Gregg: Seattle is like a shot-gun Vegas wedding. It shouldn’t have happened, it was fun for a little while, but it’s over. A team with a losing record should not make the playoffs. Sure they had a big win at home last week over New Orleans. Chicago can play D though. Seattle was 2-6 on the road and I don’t care that one of those wins was in Chicago. Bears shut them down and move on.

Rob: Seattle is 2-6 on the road this year, with one of those victories being at Soldier Field back in October, but the Cinderella story will end. Bears, but may be closer than expected.

John: Chicago. I can seriously being stolen by the underdog ‘Hawks, especially if Cutler throws a few picks. Chicago 24-17. (I said I could see it)

Jon: Chicago

Pat: Chicago Bears. Bears got lucky they get Seattle and not Green Bay

Mark: Last week I said it was the easiest game to pick, I took the Saints. Alas I was wrong. Sorry Seattle. Last week was a fluke, I’ll take Chicago at home.

New York Jets @ New England Patriots

Gregg: Please Please Please let New England shut Rex and his Gang up. In all seriousness, this should be a good game. I don’t think Mark Sanchez is ready for the cold weather up in Foxboro. He makes a big mistake and New England wins, but it won’t be anything like the 45-3 beat down in December.

Rob: The insults and trash talk have been flying, and this game has all the makings of a heavy weight fight. That young New England defense has started to come together and it showed in 45-3 drubbing of the Jets in December. I don’t see the score being that lopsided this time around, but have to go with the Belichick’s and Brady’s.

John: New England. Belichick out coaches Ryan in this personal war, and Brady shows Cromartie just how much he enjoyed his name-calling. New England 31-21.

Jon: New England

Pat: Jets. They weren’t ready to play the Pats the first time. I think they will this time and keep it close at the end, maybe the defensive mind of Eric Mangini from ESPN (former Browns coach) will show the Jets how to beat the wonder twins of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

Mark: Tom Brady at home in January, I won’t pick against him. With the Jets running their mouths as usual, I’m pretty sure he wants to pound them. Brady will torch the Jets on Sunday.