2011 NFL Divisional Playoff Preview: Revenge Weekend

The common theme of the divisional playoffs this weekend is revenge. Every game this weekend features rematches from earlier this season, but will the results be different this time around?

Here are some questions to consider heading into the weekends games.

Can the Jets keep it close in New England?

Which defense plays better, the Steelers or Ravens?

Will the Seahawks win in Chicago for the second time this season?

Can the Packers win in Atlanta?

Game 1 (Saturday): Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:30 EST On CBS

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Matt Birk #77 of the Baltimore Ravens prepares to snap the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Is there anything better than a Ravens-Steelers game? Every time these two teams get together, you just get the feeling someone is going to get killed out there, that's how physical it is. These two teams hate each other, and it's always one of the most hard-hitting games of the season. The season series was split, but the Steelers' loss was without Ben Roethlisberger. Now it's time to prove who is the better team. Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a physical game.

In the first meeting, the Ravens won a tight game on a late T.J. Houshmanzadeh touchdown over the Charlie Batch-led Steelers to give Baltimore the 17-14 win. The second time around in Week 13, the Ravens let it slip away at home, ultimately costing them the AFC North and a first round bye. Had they won that game, they would have likely been hosting the Steelers this weekend instead of traveling to Heinz field. Does it matter though? When these two teams get together, it's going to be even, no matter what field the game is played on.

For the Ravens to win Saturday, they are going to have to run the football effectively with the Ray Rice-Willis McGahee combo. In their Wild Card win over the Chiefs, the Ravens accounted for just 101 rushing yards, and to win against the Steelers, that will need to improve the run game because it won't be as easy in Pittsburgh for Joe Flacco as it was in Kansas City. This Steelers defense is mean, and when Troy Polamalu plays, they are a completely different team. Remember Week 13 when Polamalu won the game for the Steelers?

Pittsburgh is well rested, and they know what they are up against. This will be a dog fight. Roethlisberger always comes to play come playoff time, and after all he went through this offseason, he won't stop until he gets his third Super Bowl ring.

Having said that, something tells me the Ravens are going to win this game. This team knows how to win on the road, and Flacco knows how to win playoff games. The Ravens will advance to the AFC Championship game.

Fearless Forecast: Ravens 16, Steelers 13.

Game 2 (Saturday): Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons, 8:00 EST On Fox

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Brent Grimes #20 of the Atlanta Falcons tackles Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The two best teams in the NFC will square off Saturday night in a rematch from Week 12. In round one, the Falcons won 20-17 on a late field goal  after Aaron Rodgers led a 90-yard drive to tie the game. Now, it's round two, and the Packers want revenge, but it won't be easy. 

If there has been one knock on the Packers, it's that they cannot run the ball, ranking 24th in the NFL during the regular season. That wasn't the case last week in Philadelphia as rookie James Starks ran for a career-high 123 yards. If the Packers can continue to run the ball like that, they will be very tough to beat. With one of the best defenses in the league, Green Bay has lacked a running game all season long since losing Ryan Grant in Week 1. Is James Starks the guy to change that?

The Falcons have been the most consistent team in the NFC this season. Matt Ryan comes into this game having lost just two games in the Georgia Dome his first three seasons. All year long the Falcons have been led by their lethal trio of Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White. For them to win this game though, the defense will have to come up huge. This team knows how to win close games and has done it all year long. 

Rodgers is ready to be mentioned among the NFL elite, and back-to-back wins in Philadelphia and Atlanta would put him there. I said in Week 16 after the Packers manhandled the Giants that they were the most dangerous team in the NFC if they were to make the playoffs. Nobody wants to play them, and they are getting hot at the right time. They should have beaten the Falcons in Week 12, and they will do it Saturday in Atlanta. 

Fearless Forecast: Packers 27, Falcons 23.

Game 3 (Sunday): Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears, 1:00 EST On Fox

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks is stopped by Matt Toeaina #75 (L) and Henry Melton #69 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 23-20. (Photo by Jona

I feel it's only fitting to put a picture of Marshawn Lynch here after his incredible run last week that lifted the Seahawks to the Divisional round and a trip to Chicago. The Seahawks shocked the world last weekend beating the Saints 41-36, but can they do it again?

Like every other game this weekend, these two teams met during the regular season. In Week 5, the Seahawks went into Chicago and took down the Bears 23-20. They only won two games on the road this season, and the Bears were one of them. That's got to be a sign of optimism. 

For the Seahawks to win this game, Matt Hasselbeck will have to play like he did last week, but against a better defense. I gave the Seahawks no chance to win last week against the Saints, and I thought Hasselbeck was washed up. I was wrong on both accounts. After Lynch made Qwest Field shake (literally), how can you not hop on the Seahawks' bandwagon? I'm pulling for them in this one, I just don't think they will win. 

The Bears were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season, getting the second seed in the NFC. Still, even with all they've done, nobody gives them any credit. The Bears should not have any problems in this game, but here is something. This is Jay Cutler's first career playoff start, and he's going up against a veteran quarterback who knows how to win big games. Cutler has the ability to win games with an amazing throw or lose them by making terrible mistakes. Which Cutler will show up for his first playoff start on Sunday?

I want to believe in the Seahawks, but I think their Cinderella story ends here. Da Bears will advance to the NFC Championship.

Fearless Forecast: Bears 23, Seahawks 13.

Game 4 (Sunday): New York Jets at New England Patriots, 4:30 EST On CBS

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after BenJarvus Green-Ellis scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (

The most anticipated game of the weekend is also the last one to be played. The Jets and Patriots will square off for the third time this season, and the stakes could not be any higher. 

This week leading up to the game, the Jets have been firing shots at the Patriots, specifically Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Once again, Rex Ryan says this game is "personal," and both he and Antonio Cromartie criticized Brady for pointing when the Patriots score a touchdown. In addition, Ryan ripped into Brady for seeing a play during the Jets-Colts game, saying that Peyton Manning would never do that. Really? As if Brady needed extra motivation? I wish the Jets would just keep their mouths shut, as the Patriots have always done. Don't the Jets remember the last time they visited Foxborough on Monday Night Football when they got embarrassed 45-3? 

Having said that, this game will be closer than last time around. The Jets are a better team than what they displayed in Week 13 against the Patriots, that's for sure. For them to win this game, it simply comes down to the play of Mark Sanchez. If Sanchez had played well last week in Indianapolis, the Jets would have easily won that game instead of squeaking it out at the end. Sanchez overthrew players all night long and will not be able to do that against the Patriots. 

Brady has had arguably the best season of his career, and the Patriots look poised to make the Super Bowl. They will not be taking this Jets team lightly and cannot wait to shut them up once and for all. 

Fearless Forecast: Patriots 27, Jets 17.