NFL Playoff 2012: Complete Divisional Round Predictions

This year's Wild Card Round has wrapped up with the Texans, Saints, Giants and Broncos prevailing, setting up next week's divisional round.

In the AFC, the fourth-seeded Broncos will take on the top-seeded Patriots and the third-seeded Texans will take on the second-seeded Ravens.

In the NFC, the fourth-seeded Giants will take on the top-seeded Packers and the third-seeded Saints will take on the second-seeded 49ers.

Look ahead for my predictions on each game.

Broncos at Patriots

The Denver Broncos advanced to an AFC divisional matchup with the Patriots when Tim Tebow and Denver’s magic once again came alive in a victorious overtime battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Don’t go too excited though, because it is not to be forgotten that New England was the team who played buzz killer to the Broncos during the regular season.  Facing off in Week 15, the Patriots ended a Tebow-led six-game win streak by handily defeating Denver 41-23. 

With 195 yards and zero touchdowns, Tebow was unable to counter Tom Brady’s 320-yard, two-touchdown performance and the Patriots’ offense was too much for the Broncos to overcome. 

As exciting as it would be to see Tebow and the Broncos play giant killer to the Patriots in a David and Goliath fashion, it would nearly take a miracle.  Then again, miracles seem to be Denver’s specialty. 

Regardless, my pick goes in favor of the Patriots. 

Texans at Ravens

The Texans and Ravens could provide one of the more interesting games of the divisional round.  

Earlier this season when the two teams faced off, the Ravens came out victorious 29-14, even with Houston having starting quarterback Matt Schaub. In the game, running back Arian Foster was held to just 49 yards.

However, there are still some interesting stats to look at with this matchup. 

For starters, the Ravens finished second in the NFL this season in rushing yards allowed with 1,482.

The Texans, though, finished second in the NFL in rushing yards gained this season. With Foster coming off a stellar 153-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Wild Card Game, the Ravens will face a big test stopping the red-hot back.

On the other side of the defensive spectrum, both teams finished in the top five for passing yards allowed and sacks. 

Therefore, expect this to be a defensive battle with the better offense prevailing.

With the Ravens’ defense focused on stopping the run, much of the pressure will lie on rookie quarterback T.J. Yates. Baltimore has not lost at home all season, so this hostile environment may be too much for the young Yates to handle. 

This game will go in favor of the Ravens.

Saints at 49ers

The 49ers’ defense has been the heart and soul of their team all season long, but this week against the Saints they will face their biggest challenge, trying to stop Drew Brees.

Finishing with a league-leading and record-setting 5,476 passing yards this year, Brees hasn’t been slowed down once this season.  His lowest total yards in a game were 258, and even in the team's three losses he totaled 419, 383 and 269 yards.

The key to beating the Saints will be the pressure the 49ers put on Brees and how often they can get to the quarterback.

Playing at home will play in favor of San Francisco, however the Saints’ playoff experience and potent offense will be a lot to handle. It's hard to pick against Brees, therefore I'm taking the Saints, but I do think this game could get interesting.  

Giants at Packers

When the Giants and Packers faced earlier this season, the game was a thriller in MetLife Stadium in which Green Bay came out victorious with a successful last-minute drive led by Aaron Rodgers. 

In the game, Rodgers just barely outplayed Eli Manning, putting up four touchdowns and 369 passing yards, to Manning’s three touchdowns and 347 yards. 

This game could provide motivation for the Giants.  This week in their Wild Card win, the Giants were able to put together a balanced offensive attack and a solid defensive showing to get the win. 

They will need all of this if they plan on beating the Packers at home on Sunday.  The Lambeau Field advantage will give Green Bay the push it needs to get the win.