Gerry Dulac's NFL Forecast: Divisional Playoffs
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175-85 (.673)
New Orleans Saints (14-3) at San Francisco 49ers (13-3), 4:30 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: The 49ers led the NFC in fewest points allowed and rush defense, and they will need some of that and more against the Saints, who have won a league-best nine in a row. Sure, the Saints are more dangerous inside than out -- they averaged 41.1 points in the Superdome compared to 24.8 points in five outside road games -- but they have shown they can run the ball almost as well as they pass the ball. OK, maybe not THAT well, but well enough.
Prediction: Saints, 24-20
Denver Broncos (9-8) at New England Patriots (13-3), 8 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: It really doesn't matter what score I pick or any prognosticator picks because logic, stats and film breakdown doesn't apply with the Broncos and Tim Tebow. Dick LeBeau is the greatest defensive mind in the game and he came up with a game plan based on Tebow's weaknesses that he thought would work in Denver -- and almost none of it worked. Who expected that? Not the Steelers. Not anyone in Denver. The Patriots whacked the Broncos in the regular season, 41-23, but does that really matter? Well ... yeah.
Prediction: Patriots, 41-23
Houston Texans (11-6) at Baltimore Ravens (12-4), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Texans were able to waltz past the Bengals in the wild-card round and deliver the franchise's first playoff victory. That will not happen against the Ravens, a team they lost to in the regular season, 29-14. The Ravens are relieved to know they don't have to face the Steelers in the playoffs. The only hurdle between them and a return to the Super Bowl for the first time in 11 years is a game in New England.
Prediction: Ravens, 24-9
New York Giants (10-7) at Green Bay Packers (15-1), 4:30 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: The Giants are really the only team capable of beating the Packers because, like Green Bay, they are accustomed to playing outside in cold weather. The Saints are not. The Giants can do three things collectively better than any team in the league -- run the ball, pass the ball and pressure the quarterback with their defensive lineman. But their one weakness is the one the Packers will probably exploit -- defending the pass. If they can't, the Giants will pull the upset.
Prediction: Packers, 31-28
First Published January 12, 2012 12:00 am
