5 day forecast
Gerry Dulac's NFL Forecast: Divisional round
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Last week: 3-1 (.750)
Season record: 170-90 (.654)
Arizona Cardinals (11-6) at New Orleans Saints (13-3), 4:30 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: Kurt Warner had more touchdown passes (5) than incompletions (4) against the Packers, which is pretty impressive, even if you're not 38 years old. It would be a nice matchup of geriatric quarterbacks if Warner and Minnesota's Brett Favre would meet in the NFC Championship game. But I'm afraid only one of them will advance, and methinks it will be the guy who was there last year.
Prediction: Cardinals, 42-40
Baltimore Ravens (10-7) at Indianapolis Colts (14-2), 8:15 p.m., Saturday
The Skinny: The No. 1 priority for the Colts will be making sure they don't start against the Ravens the way the Patriots did. The Colts are already a one-dimensional team with Peyton Manning, but they will become that and even more if they get behind against the Ravens. What's more, their injury-ravaged defense will get gouged by Ray Rice if the Ravens are allowed to play with the lead. That, though, is a big "If."
Prediction: Colts, 24-20
Dallas Cowboys (12-5) at Minnesota Vikings (12-4), 1 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: While the Vikings were given the week off by their coach, the Cowboys were busy continuing their pattern of dominating performances with another easy victory against the Eagles. This is a matchup of two teams who can run the ball, throw the ball and play defense. But, right now, the Cowboys are doing all three better than any other team in the NFC. Prediction: Cowboys, 24-17
New York Jets (10-7) at San Diego Chargers (13-3), 4:40 p.m., Sunday
The Skinny: Since Rex Ryan mistakenly thought his team was eliminated from the playoffs, the Jets have won three in a row, including back-to-back victories against the Bengals. Maybe more impressive has been the mistake-free play of rookie QB Mark Sanchez, who missed only three passes and did not have an interception last week in becoming only the fourth rookie QB to ever win a playoff game. But that will all end against the Chargers, the hottest team in the NFL.
Prediction: Chargers, 31-17
First Published January 14, 2010 1:04 pm
