NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Picks Against the Spread for Weekend's Action

Super Bowl XLVI is fast approaching. The teams that win on Saturday and Sunday will need only one more win to earn a date in the big game in Indianapolis. 

As always, it's fun to see what the oddsmakers feel about the games. Let's take a look at what they think, and also give some predictions for what to expect, both from wins and losses and point spreads. 

*All point spreads according to Sportsbook.

New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers: Saints (-3.5)

The Saints are not a team that does well when they go outside. This is not just a matter of playing in cold weather (which San Francisco definitely doesn't feature). They have struggled to put up points outdoors all year, and haven't had to play a team with San Francisco's defense. 

This will be low scoring. The Saints can certainly win this, but they should not be favored in this one. The 49ers played the Saints extremely tough in San Francisco a year ago when the 49ers were nowhere near as good as they are now. 

I like the upset in this one. Right now, this is easily the most intriguing game of the weekend, but look for the 49ers to win it. 

Prediction: 49ers 23, Saints 21

Prediction against spread: 49ers

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots: Patriots (-13.5)

The Broncos showed they are capable of scoring points. They did it against the Steelers, they can certainly pass against the Patriots. But the question is, can they put up enough to outscore the Patriots, who are a full-out offense capable of scoring more than 35 on a bad day?

Ultimately, it's just not going to happen. The Broncos really stretched themselves out last week and managed 23 points in regulation. Apart from the second quarter, they scored one field goal. That's not going to do it.

I don't like teams being favored by this much in a playoff game, but I like the Patriots to pull this one out and move onto their first AFC Championship Game since the 2007 season. They'll cover the spread in the process.

Prediction: Patriots 41, Broncos 24

Prediction against spread: Patriots

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens: Ravens (-7.5)

The Ravens are going to win this game and win it convincingly—on the field. But winning a game convincingly on the field and winning convincingly on the scoreboard are two different things. That's the issue at hand here.

The Texans have one of the most complete defenses in the league, and the Ravens are far from an offensive juggernaut. Look for Baltimore to win this game with ball control, using Ray Rice to win the field position game. 

When the game is over, there will be no doubt who the better team was, but it won't be a blowout at all.

Prediction: Ravens 20, Texans 13 

Prediction against spread: Texans

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers: Packers (-8)

When the two teams played earlier in the year, the Giants had a lot go their way. They played a great game, at home, and still lost. Yes, they lost by three, but the Packers know they can beat the Giants' best effort. 

On Sunday, the game is in Green Bay. The Giants will put pressure on Aaron Rodgers, but not near enough. The Packers' offense is far more competent than the one the Giants just beat. They'll put themselves in better position to score and will give it four full quarters. 

That will be too much to overcome. When it's over, the scoreboard will show who the better team was.

Prediction: Packers 37, Giants 24

Prediction against spread: Packers

NFL Divisional Round Schedule

Date	Teams	Time (EST)	TV
Saturday, Jan. 14	New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers	4:30 p.m.	FOX
Saturday, Jan. 14	Denver Broncos at New England Patriots	8 p.m.	CBS
Sunday, Jan. 15	Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens	1 p.m.	CBS
Sunday, Jan. 15	New York Giants at Green Bay Packers	4:30 p.m.	FOX

Conference Championship Schedule

Date	Teams	Time (EST)	TV
Sunday, Jan. 22	TBD at TBD	3 p.m.	CBS
Sunday, Jan. 22	TBD at TBD	6:30 p.m.	FOX

Super Bowl XLVI Schedule: being played at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Date	Teams	Time (EST)	TV
Sunday, Feb. 5	NFC Champion vs. AFC Champion	6:30 p.m.	NBC

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