Andrew's NFL Playoff Picks

Wildcard

AFC

Cincinnati Bengals over Houston Texans: Matt Schaub is not playing well right now at all. The Bengals are going to take advantage, and once again, the Texans will be a disappointment. TJ Yates could probably save the day though.

Baltimore Ravens over Indianapolis Colts: The Ravens look pretty good right now, and I fully expect Joe Flacco to play well enough in this game to get a win. Plus, Ray Rice is really good at football.

NFC

Seattle Seahawks over Washington Redskins: At first I was going to pick the Redskins to win this one, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that RG3's limitations as he recovers from his knee sprain will be key. Plus, Russell Wilson is peaking right now, and the Seahawks get CB Brandon Browner back.

Green Bay Packers over Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Rodgers won't lose to the Vikings two weeks in a row. Discount double check all day.

Division

AFC

Denver Broncos over Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati is playing alright, but not as well as the Broncos. Von Miller is a huge part of their defense, and he's playing well. And then Peyton Manning is playing at an MVP level again, so it shouldn't be too difficult for the Broncos.

New England Patriots over Baltimore Ravens: The Patriots offense is the best in the NFL. They're not losing to a team with a banged up Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis. Betting against Tom Brady in the playoffs is also foolish.

NFC

Seattle Seahawks over Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons always lose their first playoff game. It's not changing this year.

San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers: I almost picked the Packers because a) they're good and b) I just wanted a rematch of the MNF game where MD Jennings picked off Russell Wilson, but Golden Tate "caught the touchdown." But I'm also just not sure about the Packers with guys returning from injuries and finding their place in the lineup again. They could easily prove me wrong, but the 49ers also look good to me.

Conference Championship

AFC

New England Patriots over Denver Broncos: Tom Brady...Peyton Manning...where have I seen this before? Manning is good, no doubt. The Broncos defense is good, no doubt. The Patriots defense can be shaky, sure. I don't care. Stevan Ridley is the best Patriots running back since like Laurence Maroney. Well, he was only slightly above average, so maybe Corey Dillon? Whatever, Ridley is good. Gronkowski is back, and he's the best tight end in the game, and a top five receiver. Don't bet against Tom Brady.

NFC

San Francisco 49ers over Seattle Seahawks: The Week 16 MNF matchup was disastrous for the 49ers, but it would be foolish to believe the Seahawks would repeat such a dominant performance. After all, the 49ers are actually good. Justin Smith should be back, and that is HUGE for their defense. It makes Aldon Smith better, and he is the 49ers' best pass rusher. Anyway, I think Colin Kaepernick is going to keep getting better, Frank Gore is playing some great football, and the O-Line is terrific for the 49ers generally.

Super Bowl

New England Patriots over San Francisco 49ers: Let me start with a story. During the MNF matchup between the Patriots and the 49ers, the Patriots were getting romped. Kaepernick looked terrific, and the Patriots offense couldn't really do much. As the Patriots started to slowly catch up, I tweeted that it was a comeback. I wanted the 49ers to win, so I basically jinxed the Patriots because we all know that calling it a comeback too early is a rookie mistake.

But anyway, I may be completely wrong on this. The Broncos might win, and the 49ers might lose to the Packers. But let's assume I'm right, which is generally true. Patriots are good. They are hungry for another SB win. I have a hard time believing the 49ers can switch quarterbacks midseason to a second year QB with limited experience and take down Tom Brady. Weirder things have happened. Watch out for the MNF revenge. Once again: do not bet against Tom Brady. That's a rookie mistake. That's like calling it a comeback.