We keep things rolling into the Divisional Round, sniffing 60% (65-45-3) for the season. It’s so damn close I can taste it but that might just be the crow I finished eating after Tebow stuck it to me last week. If the Broncos beat the Patriots, I’ll wear a Tebow jersey every day for the rest of the NFL season. I’ll include daily pictures. Enough of that bum, let’s talk real quarterbacks. Here we go!….-Fireman Mike

49ers +4 vs. Saints

Four out of the last five times the best defense has taken on the best offense in the playoffs, the defense has prevailed. I don’t think it’s going to happen this time around but I’m ready for a close game. I’m a little worried about San Fran’s inability to finish in the red zone but New Orleans’ defense is so used to giving up yardage that San Fran will score a few early TDs and gain confidence from there. This is a HUGE deal for the city of San Francisco and Jim Harbaugh’s crew is going to be up for the challenge.

New Orleans wins this game, 31-28, but San Fran takes the money and we’ll take the points because they’re free.

Patriots -13.5 vs. Broncos

Dick LaBeau didn’t have to do what he did last weekend against Tim Tebow. I can’t remember a defensive coordinator being more arrogant in his gameplan and it extended to his core players, showing mostly in Troy Palomalu, who was cheating more than Tiger Woods last weekend. It was a travesty. And I’m a big LaBeau fan. I think he’s done more as a coordinator over the last ten years than most Hall of Famers, considering what he has to contend with offensively in this day and age. Belichick won’t let his pride become his downfall this weekend and will keep two deep in the defensive backfield, mainly because he realizes Tebow is one of the least efficient runners in the NFL. He’ll fumble or simply won’t gain the optimal amount of yards a given play is designed for. The Pats also have something the Steelers didn’t: A healthy Tom Brady. That makes a little bit of a difference as well.

New England blows out the Cinderella Fellas, 41-16, and covers the big number somewhat easily.

Texans +9 @ Ravens

This is going to be a low scoring affair and when that’s the case nine points are a lot. TJ Yates has been extremely impressive in his debut season, leading the Texans to their first playoff victory and probably setting himself up with a job in Houston for as long as he wants to be a backup. I like Baltimore a lot, so much that I put some money on them to win the Super Bowl recently, but Houston’s defense is one of the most underrated groups in the league and Wade Phillips has proven to be a God Send since arriving. They’ll give Joe Flacco everything he can handle this weekend and should end up with a chance to win the game on the final drive, something I DON’T expect to happen.

Baltimore wins, 19-13, but Houston cashes in. We’ll take the points because they’re free.

Giants +8 @ Packers

This is the one team the “experts” thought would give the Packers problems throughout the entire season. And sure enough, during their regular season matchup, the Giants almost came out with a victory against the Pack. This time the Giants have to travel to Wisconsin to get the job done but -at the very least- they’re getting far too many points. Eli Manning has shown the ability to throw the long ball to a group of receivers that is probably only rivaled by Green Bay. Both of these teams give up points at a rapid rate which is why we’re going to double up and take the OVER as well. The Giants have been a fantastic road dog over Manning’s career and that won’t change against Aaron Rodgers and the high-scoring Pack, who play directly into New York’s hands.

The Giants win this thing straight up, 38-35, on a late field goal but we’ll take the points because they’re free.

Giants-Packers OVER 52.5

 

 

 

 

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