NFL Computerized Power Ranks: Divisional Playoffs

I’m going to keep the ranks post short and sweet this week as we wind down.  The ranks were only 2-2 last week predicting games, as the Ravens upset the Broncos in stunning fashion and the Falcons finally cooled off the Seahawks, but not after a valiant effort to come back.

Here are power ranks’ picks this week:

#1 Patriots over #6 Ravens

The Ravens win over Denver allowed them to finally jump back into the top 10, but they still sit behind 2 eliminated teams.  The Patriots took over the top spot from Seattle and seem to be the favorites in many people’s books to tie the Cowboys and Steelers for their 8th Super Bowl appearance and 4th title.  I like their chances too, but as a Niners fan, I’m still holding out hope that at least the Super Bowl will end differently.  We’ll see if Ray Lewis can inspire his team to another Super Bowl, but I think the Patriots will be ready for them.

#2 Falcons over #4 49ers

Compared to the Vegas odds and just about everyone on TV, this pick might seem a bit surprising.  The Falcons finally ending the red hot Seahawks season jumped them all the way to #2 while the 49ers stayed at #4 for crushing the Packers.   Here’s an interesting but somewhat misleading fact: The 49ers have not won a road playoff game since 1988.  The misleading part about this is that thanks to their divisional dominance and then horrible run from 2003-2010, they have only played in 5 road playoff games since that win, and 18 home games, with this weekend being their first since losing in Tampa in 2002.  Their other 4 losses are to the ’93 Cowboys in the NFC Championship, at Green Bay when the Packers were invincible at home in 1996 and 2001, and at 14-2 Atlanta in 1998.  So this appears to be their best shot at a road win compared to all those other teams they lost to on the road.  I like the Niners to win, but I’ll admit I’m biased.