NFL Playoff Predictions: 6 Bold Predictions for Divisional Round

The playoffs are always tough to predict, but this year's divisional round is especially difficult to get a good feel for. The best defense will face the hottest offense, the best pass rush will try to slow down the best quarterback, the best rushing attack will try to run the ball against a good defense and of course, there is Tebowmania.

Still, that did not stop me from creating six bold predictions for this weekend's games. 

Green Bay's Defense Will Vastly Improve

We will have to wait to see if the Packers' D has been "saving" their best performance for the playoffs, but the biggest reason why I think the Packers defense will look more like last year's unit is the matchup of Kareem McKenzie vs. Clay Matthews.

You can knock the Packers' defense all you want but Matthews is still a dynamic player. He will get the best of McKenzie and wreak havoc in the backfield all day long. 

As a result, the Packers will continue to get turnovers and play well enough to win. 

James Starks, Ryan Grant Have Big Days

The re-emergence of the Giants pass rush is well-documented. However, I can see a scenario in which the Giants are so focused on getting after Aaron Rodgers that they are gashed on several draws or quick screens. 

If the weather does not hold up (it is supposed to be about 18 degrees for the game), the Packers will probably run the ball a little more than usual. If that is the case, the Giants will have to be very disciplined and not get too aggressive or they will make it too easy on Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Packer offense. 

Texans Run for 180 Yards on the Baltimore Ravens

This is not necessarily a knock on the Ravens defense but the Texans have been able to run the ball very well on just about anyone. Watching their offensive line run block is a thing of beauty. They had a lot of success against a good Bengals front seven and will continue against the Ravens. 

Plus, being in a tough environment against a good defense, you can bet the Texans are going to do whatever it takes to keep the game out of T.J. Yates' hands. You will see a lot of 3rd and long runs that are going to rack up yardage on the ground. 

In the end, I can see Arian Foster and Ben Tate combining for a ton of yardage on the Ravens, despite their talent up front. 

Tim Tebow Will Struggle out of the Gate

Tebow may have had a lot of success throwing into man coverage last week but don't expect that to continue. 

Unlike LeBeau, Belichick has the tape that proves Tebow can actually make a few throws, which he did not exemplify in the last month of the regular season. 

As a result, expect the Hoodie to treat Tebow like a "real" quarterback. He will mix coverages, set traps and play hybrid coverages, all in an effort to confuse Tebow, who is used to throwing to elementary route combinations against easy-to-read man coverage. 

Tebow will be forced to read more complex schemes he is not used to seeing and will struggle as a result. 

Frank Gore Will Run for over 150 Yards

It is very obvious that the 49ers and Saints want to play this game in two completely different ways. The Niners are going to want to limit the snaps in this game and the best way to do that is giving the ball to Frank Gore as much as possible. 

The Niners will also want to hide their offensive line, which has been terrible in blitz pickup, from the Saints' blitz. 

Conversely, the Saints have shown that they are vulnerable against the run and Gore is set up to have a huge day. 

Von Miller Will Not Sack Tom Brady

It's not that Miller is not a good player, but because of his hand wraps he is having a tough time getting off blocks and hitting home with a sack. 

This week he will face one of the better offensive lines in terms of pass protection and a quarterback that gets rid of the ball and evades pressure as well as anyone in Tom Brady. 

Because of the mismatches the Patriots create on the Denver secondary, Brady will find open targets quickly and will be tough to get to in time.