A couple of excellent matchups in the NFC and some heavier favorites in the AFC who will try and take care of business. Here are previews and predictions of this weekend’s games.
Record (101-50, 67%)
New Orleans Saints (14-3, 5-3 away) @San Francisco 49ers (13-3, 7-1 home)
Kickoff: 3:30 PM CT, Saturday
Network: FOX
Line: Saints by 4
Last time they met: Saints 24, 49ers 3, Preseason
Saints statistical leaders:
Passing: Drew Brees: 468-657 (71.2%), 5496 yards, 46 TDs, 14 Ints, 110.6 rating
Rushing: Darren Sproles: 87-603, 6.9 average, two TDs, 36 long; Pierre Thomas: 110-562, 5.1 average, 5 TDs, 33 long; Chris Ivory: 79-374, 4.7 average, two TDs, 35 long. Mark Ingram-out
Receiving: Jimmy Graham: 99-1,310, 13.2 average, 11 TDs, 59 long; Marques Colston: 80-1,143, 14.3 average, 8 TDs, 50 long; Darren Sproles: 86-710, 8.3 average, seven TDs, 39 long; Lance Moore: 52-627, 12.1 average, 8 TDs, 47 long.
Defensive leaders: Roman Harper: 95 tackles, 7.5 sacks; Jo-Lonn Dunbar: 79 tackles, two forced fumbles; Jonathan Vilma (the U): 54 tackles: Patrick Robinson: 4 ints.
49ers:
QB Alex Smith: 273-445 (61.3 %), 3,144 yards, 17 TDs, five Ints, 56 long, 90.7 rating.
RB: Frank Gore: 282-1,211, 4.3 average, 8 TDs, 55 long; Kendall Hunter: 112-473. 4.2 average, two TDs, 44 long.
WRs: Michael Crabtree: 72-874, 12.1 average, 4 TDs, 52 long; Vernon Davis: 67-792, 11.8 average, 6 TDs, 44 long.
Defensive leaders:
NaVorro Bowman: 143 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two sacks; Patrick Willis: 97 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four fumbles forced; Justin Smith 7.5 sacks; Ahmad Brooks:7 sacks; Aldon Smith: 14 sacks.
Analysis: The game is at Candlestick and that is a big advantage for the 49ers. Forty niners are extremely solid, play excellent defense and have an excellent running game with Frank Gore. Their quarterback, Alex Smith, looked like a bust for the last four years but has found a renewed talent under Coach Jim Harbaugh, the best coach in the league besides Sean Payton of Saints. Saints are great indoors, but have struggled some on outdoor turf. But the weather should be OK, and I’m not going against Drew Brees. They’re my pick to win it all despite playing an outstanding team on the road tomorrow, I think the Saints will do enough offensively and hold the running game in check enough to make Alex Smith beat them. Don’t think he can do it. Like the Saints to pull it off.
Saints 24, 49ers 21
Denver Broncos (9-8, 5-3 away) @ New England Patriots (13-3, 7-1 home)
Time: 7 PM CT, Saturday
Network: CBS
Last time teams met: Patriots won 41-23 @ Denver in week 15
Line: NE by 14
Denver leaders:
Passing: Tim Tebow: 126-271 (46.5%), 1,729 yards, 12 TDs, 6 Ints, 72.9 qb rating.
Rushing: Willis McGahee: 249-1,199, 4.8 avg, 4 TDs, 60 long, three fumbles, three fumbles lost; Tim Tebow: 122-660, 5.4 avg, 6 TDs, 32 long, six fumbles, 2 lost; Lance Ball: 96-402, 4.2 avg, 1 TD, 34 long.
Receiving: Eric Decker (out) 44-612, 8 TDs; Demaryius Thomas: 32-551, 17.2 avg, 4 TDs, 47 long.
Defensive leaders:Wesley Woodyard: 97 tackles, three fumbles forced; D.J. Williams: 90 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles; Von Miller: 64 tackles, 11.5 sacks.
Patriots:
Passing: Tom Brady: 401-611 (65.6%), 5,235 yards, 39 TDs, 12 Ints, 105.6 rating.
Rushing: Benjarvus Green-Ellis: 181-667, 3.7 avg, 11 TDs, 18 long; Steven Ridley: 87-441, 5.1 avg, 1 TD, 18 long.
Receiving: Wes Welker: 122-1,569, 12.9 avg., 9 TDs, 99 long; Rob Gronkowski: 90-1,327, 14.7 avg, 17 TDs, 52 long; Aaron Hernandez: 79-910, 11.5 avg, 7 TDs, 46 long.
Defense: Jerod Mayo: 95 tackles two ints; Kyle Arrington: 88 tackles, 7 Ints; Andre Carter: 10 sacks.
Analysis: I love Tim Tebow. He’s a great kid and a true man of the Lord. I’m different than a lot of sports writers. I wholeheartedly believe there has been Divine Intervention in Tim’s comebacks. He glorifies the Lord and the Lord repays him for his unabashed spirituality. Tim also has a lot of God given talent, as well. But this is a different situation here. Just don’t think he can get it done in Foxboro. Tom Brady has the most God given talent in football at quarterback. He’s one of the all time greats; certainly top five and could be the greatest if he can win two or three more rings. Don’t think Tim can pull this one off as much as I respect the young man for hanging in there through seething criticism. Just think this time Brady, Gronkowski, Welker and Hernandez are just too much to handle for the Broncos’ defense which has played pretty inspired ball since Tim has taken over. The Patriots defended Tim handily last time and I’m sure Bill Belichick will have some more wrinkles in his defense to trick up Tim. So, in the end, gotta go with the Pats. If it was in Denver, the Broncos could make it a competitive game and have a chance at the upset because the Pats’ defense isn’t that great. But not in New England. Like Brady and Pats to win pretty easily in this one.
Patriots 31, Broncos 17
Houston Texans (11-6, 5-3 away) @Baltimore Ravens (12-4, 8-0 home)
Time: Noon, Sunday
Network: CBS
Last time teams met: Ravens won 29-14 @Baltimore in week 6
Line: Ravens by 9
Texans:
Passing: Matt Schaub: Out ; T.J. Yates: 82-134 (61%), 949 yards, 3 TDs, 3 Ints, 80.7 rating.
Rushing: Arian Foster: 278-1224, 4.4 avg, 10 TDs, 43 long.
Receiving: Owen Daniels: 54-677, 12.5 avg, 3 TDs, 34 long; Foster: 53-617, 11.6 avg, 2 TDs, 78 long; Andre Johnson: 33-492, 14.9 avg, 2 TDs, 50 long.
Defense: Brian Cushing: 114 tackles, four sacks; Glover Quin: 77 tackles; Connor Barwin: 11.5 sacks; Jason Allen and Johnathan Joseph 4 ints.
Ravens:
Passing: Joe Flacco: 312-542 (57.6%), 3,610 yards, 20 TDs, 12 ints, 80.9 rating.
Rushing: Ray Rice: 291-1,364, 4.7 avg, 12 TDs, 70 long, two fumbles, both lost.
Receiving: Anquan Bolden: 57-887, 15.6 average, 3 TDs, 56 long; Torrey Smith: 50-841, 16.8 avg, 7 TDs, 74 long; Rice: 76-704, 9.3 avg, 3 TDs, 52 long.
Defense:
Ray Lewis: 95 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles; Jameel McClain: 84 tackles, two fumbles recovered; Terrell Suggs: 70 tackles, 14 sacks, 7 forced fumbles. Lardarius Webb: five ints.
Analysis:
The Texans had an impressive 31-10 victory over Cincy last week, but the Ravens’ defense is on another level from the Bengals. Ray Rice should tote the rock a lot and get in the end zone for Ravens, and the dominant TSizzle (Terrell Suggs) will play big in this game. I don’t love Joe Flacco; not sure Ravens can win it all with him under center. But they have Rice and the defense to rely on in this one. Arian Foster is a stellar rb and Andre Johnson is getting back to being Andre Johnson, but don’t think they can do enough in Baltimore. Like the Ravens to go to New England next week for AFC Championship.
Ravens 24, Texans 17
New York Giants (10-7, 5-3 away) @ Green BayPackers (15-1, 8-0 home)
Time: 3:30 CT,Sunday
Network: FOX
Last time teams met: Packers 38, Giants 35 at New York
Line: Packers by 9
Giants:
Passing: Eli Manning: 359-589 (61%), 4,933 yards, 29 TDs, 16 Ints, 92.9 rating.
Rushing: Ahmad Bradshaw: 171-659, 3.9 avg, 9 TDs, 37 long, 0 fumbles; Brandon Jacobs: 152-571, 3.8, 7 TDs, 28 long, 3 fumbles, none lost.
Receiving: Victor Cruz: 82-1,536, 18.7 avg, 9 TDs, 99 long; Hakeem Nicks: 76-1,192, 15.7 avg, 7 TDs, 68 long; Mario Manningham: 38-604, 13.4 avg, 47 long.
Defense: Antrel Rolle: 96 tackles, two ints; Michael Boley: 93 tackles; Jason Pierre-Paul: 86 tackles, 16.5 sacks; Corey Webster: 6 Ints.
Packers:
Passing: Aaron Rodgers: 343-502 (68.3%), 4,643 yards, 45 TDs, 93 long, 122.5 rating.
Rushing: James Starks: 133-578, 4.3 avg, 1 TD, 1 fumble lost; Ryan Grant: 134-559, 4.2 avg, 2 TDs, 1 fumble lost.
Receiving: Jordy Nelson: 68-1,263, 18.6 avg, 15 TDs, 93 long; Greg Jennings: 67-949, 14.2, 9 TDs, 79 long; Jermichael Finley: 55-767, 13.9 avg, 8 TDs; James Jones: 38-635, 16.7 avg., 7 TDs, 70 long; Donald Driver: 37-445, 12 avg, 6 TDs, 35 long.
Defense: Desmond Bishop: 115 tackles, 5 sacks, two forced fumbles; Morgan Burnett: 107 tackles two forced fumbles, two recovered; Charlie Peprah: 94 tackles, five Ints, one TD; Charles Woodson: 74 tackles, seven ints; Clay Matthews: 50 tackles, 6 sacks, three ints, one TD, three forced fumbles.
Analysis: The Giants are on fire. Eli is on smokin and Victor Cruz is elite. Maybe better than anybody in the league. Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham are excellent wrs as well, and the running game is getting cranking. Ahmad Bradshaw is a stud and Brandon Jacobs is a powerful runner who can get in the end zone. It’s hard to pick against the Packers though. ARodge is most likely the MVP of the league, the receiving corps is exceptional. But they could be without Greg Jennings. Still very formidable in the passing game. Running game pretty good, too. Defense a little suspect. I like the Giants defense a lot. That front four with Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck is terrific. It’s hard to go against the Pack, but I’m going to. I like these Giants. They’ve got a shot to go all the way.
Giants 31, Packers 28
(Breesy and Brady will be doin work tomorrow night.)