NFL Playoff Predictions: Patriots and Teams Guaranteed to Cover Spread

The divisional round of the NFL playoffs has some exciting matchups between very talented teams, which makes picking against the spread a difficult task.

Within these matchups are certain elements that will help us choose which team to pick against the spread. Injuries, home-field advantage and recent history are three factors that should weigh into your decision when choosing your playoff picks.

Let's look at three teams guaranteed to cover the spread this weekend.

(All spreads according to Betonline.com)

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots (Patriots -13.5)

This is a large spread for a playoff game, but let me tell you why the Patriots will win by at least two touchdowns on Saturday.

First, the Patriots are riding a three-game playoff losing streak and are under tremendous pressure to perform. Not only is the team under pressure, star quarterback Tom Brady really needs a big performance against the Broncos.

A determined Brady is not something I'd want to face if I was Denver.

The Broncos are also dealing with injuries to important players. Wide receiver Eric Decker, one of quarterback Tim Tebow's most reliable targets, is out of this game with a knee injury. Taking away one of Tebow's best playmakers and run-blocking receivers is going to hurt the Denver Broncos offense.

Veteran safety Brian Dawkins is doubtful for Saturday's game. If Dawkins cannot play, the Broncos lose a leader on defense and a veteran with a ton of playoff experience. These are two important injuries that will hurt the Broncos' chances of upsetting the Patriots.

The Patriots beat the Broncos 41-23 in Denver in Week 15 after getting off to a bad start and when the Broncos were healthier.

Against a banged-up Broncos team at home this time, the Patriots will cover this spread and easily advance to the AFC Championship game.

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens (Ravens -7.5)

The Baltimore Ravens will beat the Houston Texans at home for two reasons: They are facing an inexperienced rookie quarterback and were perfect at home this season.

The Ravens were 8-0 at home this year, which includes a 29-14 win over the Texans in Week 6 when Houston had starting quarterback Matt Schaub healthy.

Texans quarterback T.J. Yates will make his second career playoff appearance against a talented and veteran Ravens defense on Sunday. This is the best defense Yates has faced all season, and Baltimore is the fourth-best pass defense in the NFL.

The Ravens will win this game comfortably due to the fact that Houston's best chance to win is running the football well, and Baltimore has the second-best run defense, allowing just 92 yards per game on the ground.

They will force Yates to throw often, which is exactly what the Texans don't want to have happen.

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

The 49ers had a very good season, finishing with a 13-3 record, but they didn't have many quality wins. Wins against the New York Giants, the overrated Detroit Lions, and a Pittsburgh Steelers team with a banged-up Ben Roethlisberger are their most impressive victories.

The 49ers were the best team in football when it came to stopping the run, but the Saints are most effective when throwing the ball with great effectiveness.

Quarterback Drew Brees has led the Saints to nine straight wins, and his passing offense is ranked No. 1 in the NFL. Without any playmakers in the 49ers secondary, Brees won't find it too hard to have success against the league's 16th-ranked passing defense.

When the Saints get a nice lead in the early going, the 49ers won't be able to come back because quarterback Alex Smith is not used to having to win important games in the fourth quarter. Smith is making his first ever playoff appearance on Saturday, too.

The 49ers are the most overrated team in the NFL, and they will prove that on Saturday.

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