Saturday's NFL Divisional Playoffs

Written by Red Coffman on January, 11th 2008 | 0 Comments

AFC - NFC Saturday Playoffs

Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers:
4:30pm EST: 1-12-2008

Line: Seahawks (+8) @ Packers (-8) Over/Under (42.5)

Key to the Game: The key to this game is Ryan Grant versus the Seahawks front 7. I don’t care what people want to say about Brett’s amazing year, hell yes, he had a great season, especially for a guy everyone thought was done, but the Seahawks will have a chance if they can shut down Ryan Grant. The young running back out of Notre Dame has been nothing short of brilliant since he took over the starting gig midway through the season. If he can keep up his inspired play, he’ll be able to keep the Hawks attacking defensive front honest, in turn, giving Favre more time to throw the ball. If Brett gets to sit in the pocket all day, this could be a long day for Seahawks faithful.

If-Then Possibilities: If the Seahawks win in Green Bay, it will be Green Bay’s old head coach, the last time the Packers went to a Super Bowl, that ends Brett Favre’s miracle run, and halts the Packers from returning to the big game. If Brett Favre leads the Packers to a chance at the NFC title, it will be the first time the Pack has made it to the NFC Championship game since the 1997-98 season. If the Packers win, it will be the teams first playoff win since ‘03-’04. If the Hawks upset the Packers, it will be Seattle’s first road playoff win since 1983; it would also be the 2nd road playoff win in team history.

History: The home team has taken 5 of the last 6 games in this meeting. The Hawks last beat the Packers in Green Bay in 1999, they were the underdog and won 27-7. Green Bay has taken 4 of the last 5 from Seattle; during that stretch the Packers’ record against the spread is 2-1-2 against the Hawks. Green Bay hosted and beat Seattle in an overtime playoff game in 2004 when Matt Hasselbeck, despite his confidence, tossed an easy interception to Al Harris, who promptly took it back for the game’s winning score. Four of the last six games in this match-up have busted over the total.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England Patriots:
8:00pm EST: 1-12-2008

Line: Jaguars (+13) @ Steelers (-13) Over/Under (49)

Key to the Game: If the Jaguars don’t hesitate to impose their rushing attack on the Patriots, and in turn, never abandon what they do best, they will be in this game to the end. Where New England really gets their opponents is when they trick them into playing their pace of game. The Jaguars aren’t going to throw for 400 yards and throw 5 touchdowns to beat you, and they need to know that. Despite their numbers, the Patriots don’t have a great run-stuffing defense. Maurice Jones Drew and Fred Taylor are both great runners, and both should get ample opportunity to break big plays. The key to this game is the Jaguars will to play the game they want to play.

If-Then Possibilities: If the Patriots win then they will be one game closer to a perfect season, marking the first time in NFL history that a team has started the season 17-0 (as the Dolphins only won 16 in their perfect run). If the Jaguars win, then not only will this be the biggest upset of the playoffs thus far, but we will unfortunately be subject to a bunch of interviews by a bunch of old Dolphins that can’t get over how they are the best team of all time. Needless to say, I will be praying for a Patriots victory, just so I don’t have to see another interview with those donkeys.

History: In 6 of the 7 total meetings between these two franchises, the Patriots have taken the victory. New England has won each of the last three games, beating the Jaguars in Jacksonville by 3 last season, 28-3 in Round 1 of the playoffs two seasons ago, and beating the Jaguars by two touchdowns in 2003. The last time the Jaguars won in New England was 2004, when they took down the mighty Patriots 31-0. Unfortunately for Jaguars fans, that was just a pre-season game. The only time the Jaguars have won a real game against he Patriots was in 1999 when they won 25-10. The Jags have never won in New England.

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