NFL Weekly Previews: Divisional Round Weekend

Mark Jones' NFL Weekly Previews: Division Round Weekend

Okay, so I kind of had a little off week last week. 2-2 without the spread and 1-3 with the spread isn't exactly what I'd call an excellent week. Indianapolis-San Diego really killed me, and Atlanta-Arizona wasn't much like I thought it'd be, and even though Philadelphia-Minnesota did come through for me...There's definitely plenty of room for improvement this week.

Season Straight-Up Record: 112-70-1

Season Spread Record: 22-25-3

Now all of a sudden we have four great games, in what I would call the best NFL weekend yet.

• One of the hottest teams in the league, Baltimore, may have finally met their match in 13-3 Tennessee. And if they have, we're all in for a good one.
• Arizona, who just proved themselves a contender with their win over Atlanta, heads out to the East Coast to play Carolina in a rematch from earlier in the season, which resulted in a 27-23 victory for the Panthers.
• High-flying Philadelphia is getting to know the Giants pretty well: they've played each other eight times in three seasons. SportsCenter likes the upset pick here: and so do I!
• I'm still not convinced on the Chargers, but you have to give them credit; though I doubt Pittsburgh is right now.

The little sneak peaks are now officially over...Let's get to the picks!

NFL Divisional Round Previews

Baltimore Ravens (12-5) @ Tennessee Titans (13-3)...4:15 PM Sat, CBS

The Ravens have to be happy with their performance against Miami last weekend: A 27-9 road victory in the playoffs sure is sweet. The defense had five takeaways, including four picks off Chad Pennington, and held the Dolphins' leading rusher to an amazing 19 yards (on 12 carries)!

McClain and McGahee combined for 137 yards as the running game continued to explode, and the Ravens cruised to a decisive victory. Penalties were a bit of a problem, but they've probably worked on that issue plenty during practice this week.

But now they head up to Tennessee, a team who had last week off after finishing first in the AFC during the regular season at 13-3. Their running game has been good, and ancient QB Kerry Collins has been respectable...But I'm sure their focus is trying to get their defense to compete with Baltimore's.

It should be a great game, but I'm going with the upset, in a defensive battle. That's how much last week's performance can swing me.

Straight-Up Pick: Ravens 17, Titans 16

Spread Pick: Baltimore (+3)

Arizona Cardinals (10-7) @ Carolina Panthers (12-4)...8:15 PM Sat, FOX

These two teams met in Charlotte earlier this year: Carolina came back from being down 13-3 to win 27-23. I expect a similar game...Except it will be Arizona trying to come back.

The Cardinals' offense continued to impress last week in their 30-24 win over Atlanta: Despite having just four more seconds of time of possession, Warner threw for over 170 yards and had two touchdowns, and Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower combined for 96 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

The Cardinals' receivers had the best day of all: Fitzgerald had a spectacular 101 yards and a touchdown on just six catches, while Boldin managed 72 and a touchdown on just two receptions!

Carolina had a bye last week, but in recent weeks the running game has been great. DeAngelo Williams had an honored 1,500+ yard regular season, averaging 5.5 YPC (yards per carry), and he wasn't even the outright starter.

Rookie Jonathan Stewart had 184 carries himself, and racked 4.5 YPC by rushing for 836 yards. QB Jake Delhomme had a 84.7 QB rating, having two great targets in Muhammad and Smith, who combined for 2,344 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Both offenses have had impressive stats, but Arizona's defense hasn't yet found consistency and the Carolina "D" has been dropping off recently.

A close game, but Carolina's run game will win it for the Panthers by taking advantage of Arizona's struggling defense.

Straight-Up Pick: Carolina 34, Arizona 28

Spread Pick: Cardinals (+10)

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6-1) @ New York Giants (12-4)...1:00 PM Sun, FOX

Once again, another tale of a wild-card-round-bye team and a visiting red-hot opponent.

The Eagles held Adrian Peterson and the Vikings' offense to just 14 points last week, as they held Minnesota QB Tarvaris Jackson to 15-of-35 for just 164 yards, and kept Adrian Peterson well shy of 100 yards rushing. Explosive Vikings WR Bernard Berrian had just two catches for only 36 yards.

Offensively, Philadelphia was also talented. McNabb had a great day, going 23-of-34 for 300 yards. Eight Eagles WR had at least one catch, and five had more than 30 yards receiving.

Although Westbrook was completely shut down, having less than 2.0 yards a carry, he did have 83 yards and a TD on just three catches receiving.

Back on Dec. 7, the Eagles upset the Giants in East Rutherford, having 120 more yards and keeping Eli Manning at just 13-of-27. Westbrook had 203 combined rushing/receiving yards alone, while NYG's Brandon Jacobs had just 57 all-purpose yards.

However, the Giants aren't to be underestimated. Jacobs had a great season, and Manning has made this Giants team a strong favorite to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.

But I don't think that'll happen. Philadelphia wins a close game, 24-23.

Straight-Up Pick: Eagles 24, Giants 23

Spread Pick: Philadelphia (+4)

San Diego Chargers (9-8) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)...4:15 PM Sun, CBS

The Chargers have their first winning record of the season, and they deserve it. Darren Sproles had 100+ rushing yards and another 45 yards receiving in San Diego's overtime victory over the Colts, who had won eight straight heading into the game.

Gates and Chambers had a combined 144 yards on just 12 receptions. The defense held the Colts' Joseph Addai to just 44 yards, a key to the Chargers victory.

But I'm still not convinced about the Chargers. An 8-8 regular-season record doesn't earn any respect from me. Another reason why is right below this...

Last time SD went up to Pittsburgh, it was a disappointing effort. The rushing game had just 66 yards on 22 carries, and the defense allowed Roethlisberger to go 31-of-41 for 308 yards. Four Steeler receivers had 30 or more yards; Ward had 124 yds, Holmes 63 yds, Spaeth 55 yds, and Moore 33 yds.

The Chargers' winning streak will try to keep going, but it won't. Pittsburgh's defense can hold San Diego, just like they did in Week 11. Steelers win in a close game.

Straight-Up Pick: Chargers 12, Steelers 20

Spread Pick: Pittsburgh (-6)

Have a question or opinion you would like to share about this article? Feel free to comment openly!