NFL Playoff Picks: Predicting Scores and MVPs for Sunday's Games

Saturday featured the first half of the NFL's divisional round—and it was one for the ages. 

We saw one of the greatest playoff games in recent memory with the San Francisco 49ers outscoring the New Orleans Saints 36-32, while the New England Patriots beat up on the Denver Broncos 45-10. 

That said, let's take a sneak peak toward Sunday's two games, between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens as well as the New York Giants taking on the Green Bay Packers. 

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

How can I say this nicely? T.J. Yates, a rookie quarterback, playing against the Baltimore Ravens' elite defense does not play in the Houston Texans' favor—but will they be able to prevail? 

Just as the Ravens have an elite defense, so does Houston. In fact, Wade Phillips' defense finished 2011 as the second-ranked defense. 

This will be a clash of two ferocious monster defenses, but I see the Texans coming out on top. 

Baltimore may have the better offense with the more experienced defense, but the Texans have an impressive running game with Arian Foster and Ben Tate, as well as a much younger and athletic defense.

In this case, youth will prevail, as the Texans will upset the Ravens.

Final Prediction: Texans 24, Ravens 20

MVP: Arian Foster

New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers

It was just six weeks ago when these two teams met, with the Green Bay Packers kicking the game-winning field goal with time expiring to remain undefeated at the time. 

This time, the Packers don't appear to be playing as well as they were a little over a month ago, and I see the New York Giants putting up a real fight—despite the game being at Lambeau Field. 

We all know that Eli Manning is one of the more clutch quarterbacks in the playoffs, and I can see him having himself a monster day against the NFL's worst statistical defense. 

If Manning doesn't throw picks and is able to score points—and New York's defense, led by Jason Pierre-Paul, is able to put pressure on Aaron Rodgers—then the Giants will advance to the NFC Championship.

Final Prediction: Giants 28, Packers 17

MVP: Eli Manning

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