Lock-Street- Week 19-The Divisional Round 1.12-1.13

We’re getting close to the apex of the NFL season as the elite teams are now starting to see the summit of the professional world. This has been a crazy year but I feel that these teams standing before you, staring over the edge into the dark abyss better known as elimination that would erase an entire season of tireless effort and overcoming an arduous 16 game season. It’s hard to argue that any of these teams do not deserve to be here as they have proven throughout the year the ability to overcome injury, gym teachers and hot dog vendors imitating refs, the media circus, off-field issues, and staunch competition.

Saturday 4:30pm-Baltimore Ravens (+9) vs. The Denver Broncos



If Rodney Dangerfied played for the Ravens, he would be pulling his necktie and spewing gibberish about his lack of respect. The Ravens dismantled a Colts team and was undoubtedly the better team. Everyone is commenting on Andrew Luck throwing for over 280, but he threw the ball 54 fucking times. Even Mark Sanchez could throw for that many yards on that many passes. The Ravens are the healthiest they have been all year and finally have the following leaders all back playing such as pro bowler Marshal Yanda, their defensive leader Ray Lewis, and a healthier Pollard, Ngata, and Suggs. Plus, since Suggs has been back, Kruger has 10 sacks including 2.5 last week against the Colts. Caldwell’s first week playing calls EVER was against Broncos where they went their first 5 drives without any points, and the tweaks he has incorporated since that first hectic and surprising week is day and night. The guy was a QB coach, then head coach, and again a QB coach and went into that week without calling plays in the NFL. Last week, with the guidance of Caldwell, Flacco gave a giant fuck-you to gun critiques as he was blatantly showing off his canon to the tune of 288 yards on 12 passes and 2 TD’s. Boldin showed what he can do as he caught for 145 yards. I think this team finally has all of the pieces in place to actually contend.



Don’t get me wrong, the Broncos offense is electric as it seems Pro Bowler Peyton “Still and forever the better” Manning never lost a step even after 2 million neck surgeries (that’s what the media makes it feel like). His receiving tandem of Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker (2498 total combined yards and 23 TD’s) is the best of his career. They are both Pro Bowl snubs in my opinion. He also has the likes of TE Jacob Tamme and Brandon Stokley who has overachieved by still playing in this league long. The Broncos defense is full of absolute studs. Von Miller has been in the defensive player of year discussion all year with his 18.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and a pick and Elvis Dumervil has had a quiet 11 sacks. Don’t forget about the veterans Champ Bailey and Keith Brookings as they have proven they can still play the game and Wesley Woodyard is one of the most underrated players in the NFL (117 tackles, 3 picks, 6 pass deflections). The reason though the Ravens will cover has to do with the fact that Denver in January will be a running-man’s game and Manning and is 2-7 playing outside of an arena in January. The weather is currently slated at 16 degrees with a 20% chance of snow which equates to running hard and heavy and right now, it appears the Ravens have the hottest duo in the backfield in the playoffs. One of the most versatile players in the league, Pro Bowler Ray Rice, and rookie Bernard Pierce have combined for 501 all-purpose yards from scrimmage in the last two games that matter. Oh, and Pro Bowler Vontae Leach can lay the lumber. Knowshon Moreno has played well in their final two games this year, but he can’t handle an angry Ravens defense all by himself nor the playoff atmosphere. The Ravens have been here for 5 straight years and played in Oh, and the Ravens are playing with the power of Ray.

Saturday 8pm-Greenbay Packers (+3) vs. San Francisco 49ers



Not only do I think the Packers are going to cover, they will outright get the upset at Candlestick Park. There are those who are Alex Smith fans, but personally, I feel like he was more of a game manager than game changer. They won because the Niners defense is dangerous and can really decimate the wills of opposing players. Plus, Harbaugh is one helluva coach. Pro Bowler Frank Gore (1214 yards) continues another solid year that’s made better by the fact that he has actually been healthy. They have a very versatile QB in Colin “Tattoo Controversy” Kaepernick and Michael Crabtree (1105 yards and 9 TD’s) has finally played up to his potential, but their heart and soul starts with number 52. Pro Bowler Patrick Willis is an animal. A Freak of nature who had 120 tackles, 9 pass deflections, 2 picks, and 2 forced fumbles all while being strategized against. They also have Pro Bowler Dashon Goldson who might be one of the best safeties in all of the game, a top tier corner in Carlos Rogers, Pro Bowler LB NaVorro Bowman who lead the team in tackles with 149, and the QB crusher Pro Bowl OLB Aldon Smith with his NFC leading 19.5 sacks. The issue I foresee though is that this defense is tired from their lack of depth and substitutions throughout the entire season and DE Justin Smith, who might not play due to a partially torn tricep, is their unsung hero as QB’s have a 20 point better rating when he is out since he frees up Aldon and crew. Oh yea, and in their first outing in which they won, they didn’t have to face a perennial Pro Bowler Aaron Rodgers playing like a man possessed



The Packers looked good last week. If they were actually made of green cheese, would you eat them? I know I would. Over the last four weeks, Aaron Rodgers has been as efficient as any QB in history as he has thrown for 1272 yards, 11 passing TD’s, 0 Int, and 1 TD rushing for an average rating of 119.65. All I need to say is that Rodgers is hot, but I’ll delve in deeper for fun. They have the most talented receiving core in the NFL when everyone is healthy. Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and "Corn" Cobb are all electric playmakers who cause absurd match-up problems. That doesn’t include the fact that they can turn to their often forgotten TE in Jermichael Finley if necessary. The return of the ageless wonder Charles Woodson was great on Saturday and Pro Bowler Clay Mathews has put together another great year on a defense that ranks 17th in opponent rushing and 11th in opponent passing, which favors the Niners game plan. That said, the Rodgers factor waives any fear. By the way, his four interceptions in 253 playoff attempts is fourth best in NFL post-season history.

Sunday 1pm-Atlanta Falcons (-2.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks



Pro Bowler Matt Ryan finally gets his first playoff win of his career in what is going to be a great game. The Falcons offense is well rested, at home, and are looking to continue their aerial assault. Rowdy Roddy White should be healthier than he has been in months and Pro Bowler Julio Jones is an incomparable monster. They also have the best tight end in NFL history, Pro Bowl Tony Gonzalez, who might not be the force he wants was, but can find the end-zone like a junkie can find crack rock. Their offense ranked within the top 10 and while the Seahawks defense allowed the least amount points of any team this year, they play better in the sweet confines of their home and have gone 3-5 on the road during the regular season. The Falcons defense is finally at its healthiest as Abraham was able to rest his ankle, cornerback Dunta Robinson is back from a concussion, and strong Safety William Moore is finally returning after missing the final four games with a hamstring injury. They also have the burner Turner. I also think that their back-up, Jacquizz Rodgers, will have a bright future.

The Seahawks have been great this year and are peaking at the right time, but they also beat a team whose QB was playing with a knee more screwed up than Lance Harbor’s before he was careered after Billy Bob missed his block. Russell Wilson is a beast and I can safely say I have been preaching about him since the preseason and even picked him in a later round in a fantasy draft to sit on my bench as a back-up (I had Rodgers), but he doesn’t have the weapons around him to win this fight. Sydney Rice and Golden Tate are solid receivers, and Zach Miller can make plays when necessary, but this trio is not even in the same stratosphere as the Falcons trio listed above. Sure the Seahawks are big and strong corners and pro bowl safety Earl Thomas, but the Falcons receivers are simply just too good. The Seahawks game is their ability to run as Marshawn Lynch has had a great year, Ryan Turbin has proven to be a great number two, and Russell Wilson is one of the faster QB’s in the league as he is second on the team with 489 yards and 4 rushing TD’s, but the Falcons have a better rush defense than pass defense (Should be noted that both are pretty poor). On defense, the Seahawks have proven to be an elite squad, but the loss of their human plow, Chris Clemons (11.5 sacks), will be a huge blow and this lack of pressure will allow Matty Ice to do work. This game should be enjoyable, but I think the story of the hobbit Russell (5’11” listed but really 5’10”) ends here.

Sunday 4:15pm- New England Patriots (o 48) vs. the Houston Texans



Both teams can score. That last time was an absolute drubbing at the hands of the Patriots and that was without Gronk. The Patriots have all of their weapons back healthy, but don’t expect the same type of blowout or the Patriots covering this spread by themselves. The Texans look decent last week, but I expect them to take more shots down the field in order to try to keep up with the greatest show outside. This is a fire powered field and both defenses or soft, or in the Texan’s case, looked weaker as the season wore on. Brady (Pro Bowler), Schaub (Pro Bowler), Welker (Pro Bowler), Johnson (Pro Bowler), Gronkowski (Pro Bowler), Daniels, Ridley, Foster (Pro Bowler), Hernandez, Lloyd, Walter. Boom. Also, Hernandez's TD dance in their last match-up, which he has been known to do, is highly underrated.