NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting Which Teams Will Win And Cover in Round 2

The second round of the 2010 playoffs is upon us.

The football gods have graced us with four rematches from the regular season as well as two divisional rivalries.

New England and Chicago are heavy favorites while the other two match ups are virtual toss-ups.

All four home teams are favored but I’m only taking one of them to cover this weekend…

Baltimore (+3) @ Pittsburgh

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Michael Oher #74 of the Baltimore Ravens blocks James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

The Ravens and Steelers are probably the two most similar teams left in the playoffs. Both teams finished 12-4 thanks to their strong towering quarterbacks, highly regarded rushing attacks and potent defenses stacked with play makers. The Ravens are hot right now coming off of five straight wins; none of which were more impressive than last weeks dominating performance at Kansas City. In the 30-7 victory, Flacco was spot on with a 115.4 QB rating as his defense held the Chiefs to just 161 yards of total offense. The Steelers are coming off a bye and haven’t faced any stiff competition since their week 15 home loss to the Jets. Regardless, they showed strength with dominating victories over Carolina and Cleveland in weeks 16-17.  These two teams clashed twice during the regular season and each game was decided by a field goal. It's safe to expect the same result here.

The Steelers will undoubtedly benefit from the bye but may need to shake of a little rust as they haven’t dealt with a contender in almost a month. The Ravens are looking to build off their convincing victory last week against the Chiefs. In such a close match-up it helps to turn to the intangibles. While both teams are playing for a chance at the AFC championship, the Ravens will also be playing for their veteran leader, Ed Reed, who is dealing with the disappearance of his brother. Five of the last seven meetings between these two teams have been decided by EXACTLY 3 POINTS. Even if the Ravens mange to lose by a field goal they’ll still push in Vegas, thus making them an even stronger play to kick off the Divisional Playoffs. Take Baltimore with the points.

Pick ATS: Baltimore +3 @ Pittsburgh

Final Score: Ravens win 17-14

Green Bay (+2.5) @ Atlanta

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Brent Grimes #20 of the Atlanta Falcons tackles Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

When these two teams met in week 12, the Falcons strolled into the Georgia Dome and handed the Packers a 20-17 loss. Since then, the Falcons continued to roll and the Packers took care of business and squeezed into the playoffs. The Falcons have one of the best run stopping defenses in the league. Last week in Green Bay’s 21-16 victory over Philadelphia, James Starks ran for 123 yards and provided the Packers with the boost on the ground they had been lacking all season. If Starks can even rival the production he had against Philly, it’ll take a lot of pressure off of Rodgers. The match-ups to watch will come with Atlanta on offense. The Falcons boast a variety of talented play makers while the Packers have the second best defense in the league, allowing only 15 points per game.

The Falcons may be great but the Packers are on a roll.  I expect Green Bay’s front seven to neutralize Michael Turner and Atlanta's running game and put the game in the hands of Matt Ryan. Starks' impressive performance last week will help Green Bay’s play action and should provide them with a slight upgrade on the ground moving forward.  Both defenses will show up to play. Starks is an added bonus but this game should come down to whichever team has the better quarterback. The fact of the matter is Matt Ryan is developing into a top-tier talent, Aaron Rodgers is already there. Take Green Bay with the points.

Pick ATS: Green Bay +2.5 @ Atlanta

Final Score: Packers win 24-17

Seattle (+10) @ Chicago

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Russell Okung #76 of the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 23-20. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The Seahawks shocked the football world last week beating New Orleans 41-36 as ten point underdogs behind an inspiring four touchdown performance by Matt Hasselbeck. The Bears are coming off a bye and their starters are rested and ready. In order for Seattle to win they'll need to make Jay Cutler make mistakes. If they can put pressure on Cutler early and get him dancing around in the pocket, they could definitely make it interesting. In week 6 the Bears fell to Seattle 23-20. Three months later, Cutler finally seems to be playing the type of football that Bears fans expected when he came to Chicago. If Cutler can hit his targets without getting over anxious, the Bears should stroll to victory.

It’s obvious that the Bears should win this game. On the other hand, it was obvious the Saints should have won last week. Pete Carroll has Seattle playing their best football of the season and it is coming at exactly the right time. While I see the Bears leaving with the victory, I don’t see them winning by the ten points they’re laying in Vegas. I find it hard to back Jay Cutler even when he seems to have it all together. Take Seattle with the points.

Pick ATS: Seattle +10 @ Chicago

Final Score: Bears win 20-13

New York (+8.5) @ New England

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Deion Branch #84 of the New England Patriots scores on a 25-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (P

When the Jets and Patriots met on Monday night in week 13, it was supposed to be the game of the year. Instead, it was a bloodbath. The Patriots won easily 45-3 behind Tom Brady’s 326 yards and four touchdown passes. Now, as we approach the rematch, the Jets are running their mouths. The Patriots have been playing stellar football and are coming off a bye at full health. The Jets are coming off an exhausting 17-16 win against the Colts. The only chance the Jets have is if they keep the ball on the ground. QB Mark Sanchez has yet to prove he can be effective in cold weather and the Jets need to do everything they can to keep Brady and the Patriots offense off of the field. It’ll be interesting to see if Rex Ryan implements a similar defense to the one he used against Peyton Manning, in which the Jets rarely blitzed. If he does, it could take away some of the short routes that New England’s receivers and tight ends seem to run so effectively.

Even if the Jets don’t blitz, the Patriots will continue to throw the ball. There are obvious holes in the middle of the Jets secondary and Brady will undoubtedly execute. The Jets defense did look great against the Colts but Sanchez was brutal. The pass to Edwards and the end of the game saved what would have been an otherwise disappointing day. The Patriots actions will speak louder than the Jets words. Take the Patriots against the spread.

Pick ATS: New England -8.5 vs. New York

Final Score: Pats win 34-17