NFL 2008 Playoff Predictions Sure To Be Correct....(AFC Divisional Round)

Last week I went 3-1 with my only loss being the Chargers defeat of MVP Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Shocked I was, but not surprised because San Diego seems to have the Colts number similar to the way the New England Patriots once did do to their 3-4 scheme. I personally didn't agree with many of the calls and probably the only one the got correct in overtime was the face mask on Colts linebacker Clint Sessions.

So with that said here go my predictions for the upcoming weekend......

6. Baltimore Ravens @ 1. Tennessee Titans

Winner: Baltimore Ravens 13-10

Analysis: This is my upset pick of the playoff but in a sense it wouldn't really be an upset. This is the rematch of their week 5 match up in which the Titans came back from a 10-6 deficit win on their final drive which as aided by a questionable personal foul call against the Ravens' Terrell Suggs for hitting Titans quarterback Kerry Collins in the helmet. I look for some of the same patterns that developed in that game to continue in this one as well. Baltimore's defense completely took Chris Johnson (18 carries for 44 yards) and Len Dale White (only 3 carries for 4 yards) out of the game, while the Ravens' game amassed 132 yards. The match up of the qb's (Collins 17/32 for 163 yards and Flacco 18/27 for 153 yards) was pretty much a toss up as they both threw 2 interceptions with the only touchdown being the aforementioned game winner by Collins. I look for the Ravens' defense to be even more dominant especially with the out of this world Ed Reed playing maybe the best football of his career. Look for the Ravens' to run the ball even more with the possibility of All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth not being able to go or not being at 100%.

4. San Diego Chargers @ 2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers 21-17

Analysis: The Chargers proved Saturday night that they belonged in the playoffs. Even with the questionable calls made late in the game, they managed to keep themselves in the game long before most of those calls occurred. This game will come down to who can execute best in the fourth quarter. With questions about the health of Ladanian Tomlinson (as well as his heart and toughness) look for Darren Sproles and Micheal Bennett, who came out of hiding against the Colts, to carry the load. The Steelers' top ranked D will be ready so don't look for Sproles to come anywhere close to duplicating the career numbers he posted against the Colts. Philip Rivers,who just doesn't seem to get any respect, will do all he can to keep this game close but at the end of the day the Steelers' D will prove to be too much as long as the Steelers' running game is semi effective and Ben Roethlisberger takes care of the ball against the Chargers aggressive 3-4 defense.