FRIDAY FOOTBALL PICKS

This week--it's the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.  Last week I was 4-0 on the NFL games (5-1 overall) so let's see how it goes this week:

Green Bay at San Francisco.  My pick:  PACKERS.  Just a feeling here.  There's no question, the Niners have had an excellent year, backed up especially by a very sound defense.  The young QB Colin Kaepernick, inserted amidst some controversy by Coach Harbaugh, has for the most part played well.  But...he's got to go up in this game against Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, who is playing well and has a ton more playoff experience.  Advantage:  Pack.  Plus the Packers are healthier now, and Kaepernick may well find out that playoff football is tougher than the regular season.  Go with the Pack here in an upset---Green Bay 21, San Francisco 17.

Seattle at Atlanta.  My pick:  FALCONS.  This is an interesting one.  If you've been listening to the analysts all week, so many of them like Seattle--they claim their run game and defense will hit Atlanta right where the Falcons have weaknesses.  They claim it's a bad matchup for Atlanta.  But:  the Falcons are at home.  They've had 2 weeks to rest up.  They know their playoff record these past few years hasn't been good--my guess is they're extremely motivated to do something about it.  They've also been listening all week to everybody saying the Seahawks have a great shot here--even more motivation.  And don't forget--Seattle had to fly cross-country last week to play.  This week they must do it again.  They got a bit banged-up last week.  This game starts at 1 pm EST--10 am Seattle time.  That can mess up the old body clock.  And don't forget--the Falcons have had an excellent season; they have a good team.  That's why they have home field advantage!  I like Atlanta here:  Falcons 24, Seahawks 14.

Houston at New England.  My pick:  PATRIOTS.  But...in a closer game than we saw a few weeks ago.  In that one, on a Monday night, New England blasted Houston 42-14.  I think the Texans learned from that.  I think they'll play much better in this game--don't forget, Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub, J.J. Watt et al give the Texans plenty of weapons.  But how can you pick against a rested Tom Brady and Patriot squad playing at home?  One of the most remarkable things we saw all year in the NFL was Brady rallying the Patriots from that 31-3 deficit vs San Francisco a few Sunday nights ago.  The Pats lost that one; but I suspect Brady, in a tough fight, will find a way to win this one.  New England 31, Houston 27.

Baltimore at Denver.  My pick:  BRONCOS.  But in another tough game.  Denver beat the Ravens handily in Baltimore a few weeks ago.  I think Denver and Peyton Manning are the better team here.  But beware of the bye; at times in the past, Manning's teams (the Colts) struggled after a bye.  The Ravens will play their hearts out for Ray Lewis.   But the Ravens' defense has too many holes; it will not take long for Manning and the Broncos offense to find their rhythm again.  Ray Lewis himself likely will be tired in this game; the 2nd game after a long layoff for an older player like him is the toughest.  I think Denver will prevail in Mile High land.  Broncos 27, Ravens 17.