This should be an epic weekend in the NFL. Elite teams, marquee games, stellar players. Can’t wait for this. Here are previews and predictions.
Record: 1-3 last week; 15-13 overall
Saturday’s games:
Baltimore Ravens (11-6) @ Denver Broncos (13-3)
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High (76,125), Denver
Time: 4:30 PM ET/3:30 CT
Network: CBS
Broadcasters: Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf and Solomon Wilcots
Line: Broncos by 9 1/2
Peyton completed 400-of0-583 passes this year (68.5%) for 4,659 yards with 37 TDs and 11 ints. Are you kiddin me? What a comback. Definitely comeback player of the year and within a whisker of MVP, though I barely give the nod to Adrian Peterson. Peyton has four MVPs (2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009), but he wants his second ring. This will be a step in that direction. Ray Lewis and company will give the Broncos a battle, but I like Peyton and the Broncos to prevail.
Broncos 28, Ravens 24
Green Bay Packers (12-5) @ San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1)
Where: Candlestick Park (70,207), San Francisco
Time: 8 PM ET/7 CT
Network: Fox
Broadcasters: Joe, Troy, Pam and EA
Line: Niners by 2 1/2
Tremendous matchup here. ARodg has thrown for 4,295 yards with 39 touchdowns and just eight ints. He has a rating of 108 for the season. He’s been sensational. But the Packers are struggling with injuries. Top wideouts Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley are not 100 percent and questionable for the game. Just like Frank Gore to run the ball well for the Niners and their defense to hold ARodg enough to survive and advance.
Niners 31, Packers 27
Sunday
Seattle Seahawks (12-5) @ Atlanta Falcons (13-3)
Where: Georgia Dome (71,228), Atlanta
Time: 1 PM ET/Noon CT
Network: FOX
Broadcasters: Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin and Chris Meyers
LIne: Falcons by 1
Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones have been awesome this year, but I love what Russell Wilson has done for the Seahawks and that Seahawks defense is terrific. Look for a tremendous game, but something about Russell Wilson is magical. Seahawks move on the NFC Championship at San Francisco.
Seahawks 28, Falcons 27
Houston Texans (13-4) @ New England Patriots (12-4)
Where: Gillette Stadium (68,756), Foxborough, Mass.
Time: 4:30 PM ET/3:3o CT
Network: CBS
Broadcasters: Jim, Phil and Steve Tasker
Patriots by 9 1/2
Tom Brady always puts up sensational numbers and this year is no different. Brady has completed 401-of-637 passes (63%) for 4,827 yards, 34 TDs and 8 ints. Brady and Bill Belichick trying to tie Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw of the Steelers in the 70’s with four Super Bowl rings. They’ve got a shot this year. A win here would set up an epic with Peyton in Mile High next week for the right to go to New Orleans for Super Bowl 47, if Peyton can take care of business too. I see both those scenarios happening.
Brady/ Belichick 38, Texans 27