A Look Ahead To the AFC Divisional Playoffs

The playoffs were largely unwatchable for the first three games. The Packers and Cardinals overtime thriller was entertaining, unless you like defense.

The AFC Divisional playoffs begin Saturday night when the  Baltimore Ravens make a trip to Indianapolis to take on the (former Baltimore) Colts.

The big matchup here will be Peyton Manning and the Colts offense versus Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and the Ravens defense. There is actually a matchup that will be more telling than that one. That is the double dip the Colts will receive from Ray Rice and Willis McGahee.

The rushing attack for the Ravens will be in full force, against a Colts team that has been less than impressive against the run for the past few years. When the Ravens do have to pass though, watch out, because the Freeney/Mathis combination will most likely get to second year starter Joe Flacco.

The key for the Colts in this game is to get an early lead and force the Ravens to play catch-up. If the Colts get an early lead, the Ravens might be forced to throw more than controlling the clock and running the ball virtually the entire game.

The key for the Ravens is to establish the run, and limit Manning's touches. They can not afford to turn the ball over.

The second game will feature the New York Jets making a long flight to San Diego to take on the red-hot Chargers.

The big matchup here will be the high octane offense for the Chargers, against the blitz happy defense of Rex Ryan and the Jets.

The Chargers love to pass, but the Jets plan on mixing up the defenses to keep them guessing. Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez might be forced to pass more than the Jets would like him to, but he proved this weekend that he can be trusted to make the right throws.

Predictions:

Both games should be low scoring games that feature one team that loves to pass, while the other loves to run.

Colts — 20, Ravens — 17

Chargers — 27, Jets — 14