In the Divisional Round, I had only my second push of the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers were so beat up that I thought that the Denver Broncos would be able to run away with it. Instead they won by just a touchdown.
It has been such an exciting couple weeks of football that it is pretty depressing that there are only two games this week. We want more football! We want more football!
The two matchups this week are really intriguing and have a ton of storylines.
The NFC features the two highest scoring teams in the league.
The AFC features two of the best quarterbacks of all time.
Both games should be close and competitive. This was a tough week to pick!
New England Patriots -3 @ Denver Broncos
This game is loaded with experience. Both coaches have been here. Both quarterbacks have been here. The Patriots won the Super Bowl last year. The Broncos made it to the Super Bowl two years ago. Neither team is going to be too up for this game, or come in unprepared.
Not that this is a groundbreaking concept, but this game comes down to quarterback play.
Tom Brady is playing in another stratosphere when compared to Peyton Manning.
Brady threw for 39 touchdowns and 7 interceptions this season.
Manning threw for 9 touchdowns and 17 interceptions this season.
What we are watching with Manning is sad. He is one of the good guys in football. He has had a Hall of Fame career. But every star burns out at some point.
Is this the last time we see #18 under center?
Patriots 38 – Broncos 24
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers -3
This is that game that I have been waiting for! I can promise you all that on Sunday night I will be firmly planted in front of my 4K TV.
This has the makings of a great game. A classic.
Both defenses love to fly around and make plays. Both offenses can score in bunches. There are stars all over the field. Cam Newton vs. Carson Palmer. Ron Rivera vs. Bruce Arians.
Studying up for this matchup, I think that this is a matchup that we can see a lot in the future. Both teams have young stars that are only going to improve. Both coaches are rising stars in the coaching ranks. Both teams have stars that are on the injured reserve. This game could be the beginning of a rivalry!
When it’s all said and done, I think that the MVP of the league, Cam Newton is going to make more plays than the Cardinals can handle. After last week’s game when the Panthers almost let a big lead slip against the Seahawks, they are going to come in ready to go.
Panthers 35 – Cardinals 28
| Wins | Losses | Push | Percentage | |
| Week One | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40% |
| Week Two | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80% |
| Week Three | 1 | 4 | 0 | 20% |
| Week Four | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80% |
| Week Five | 3 | 1 | 1 | 70% |
| Week Six | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40% |
| Week Seven | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40% |
| Week Eight | 1 | 4 | 0 | 20% |
| Week Nine | 1 | 4 | 0 | 20% |
| Week Ten | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60% |
| Week Eleven | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40% |
| Week Twelve | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60% |
| Week Thirteen | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80% |
| Week Fourteen | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80% |
| Week Fifteen | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60% |
| Week Sixteen | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40% |
| Week Seventeen | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60% |
| OVERALL | 44 | 40 | 1 | 52% |
| Wild Card Round | 2 | 2 | 0 | 50% |
| Divisional Round | 2 | 1 | 1 | 62.5% |
| OVERALL | 4 | 3 | 1 | 56% |
*All betting lines provided by Bovada.LV on the Thursday preceding particular NFL week.
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