NFC Playoffs: Divisional Round

By Brett Miller


Panthers vs. Seahawks

 The Seahawks begin their quest to become the first repeat Super Bowl champ since the ‘05 Patriots by facing a team that failed to win half of their games this year. That being said, has there ever been a more daunting sub .500 team then the Carolina Panthers? They possess a defense that ranked 10^th in the league. They have a quarterback in Cam Newton that struggles at times, yet makes plays at crucial moments with both his legs the cannon he call an arm. This is not your typical 12-4 team vs. a subpar 7-8-1 squad.

 The Seahawks rank 3^rd against the rush giving up 81 yards a game while the Panthers average 127 yards on the ground, good for 7^th offensively. This is the Panthers hope. The dual threat of a revitalized James Stewart paired with the scrambling of Cam Newton could cause some problems for Seattle. Seattle’s strong run defense is certainly set up by their lock down secondary which ranks tops in the league. Newton has the physical tools to offset that, but his mechanics and decision making come into question often. If Carolina can get into third and short situations, they have the weapons to extend drives, and wear down that vaunted Seattle defense come the fourth quarter. Through the air, I don’t see Newton having much success, which makes it that much more important the run game finds a way to move the ball.

It's up to Kuechly to stop Wilson from taking over

 Offensively the Seahawks want to feed the beast that is Marshawn Lynch. He has the toughness to battle the Panthers defense for four quarters. If the Panthers are on their game, they can slow Lynch, but not completely stop him. The Panthers defense will be looking for mistakes in the turnover game. Russell Wilson won’t have the stats that turn heads, but he makes the crucial pass or scramble when you can least afford it as a defense. Sure the Panthers are coming off a game where they gave up an NFL record 78 total yards of offense, but that was against a team with third stringers at the two most vital positions.

 Seattle will be their own worst enemy in this match up. If they avoid turnovers, and don’t enter the game with the mindset that they’re far and away the better club, they should win handily. If it goes the other way, the Panthers have a fighting chance.

 My Pick: Seahawks 27-10

 

Cowboys vs. Packers

 This game will have some fireworks. Two offenses that can hurt you ground or air. The Packers have arguably the game’s best quarterback with a solid running attack. The Cowboys bring arguably the game’s best running back (in a season where Adrian Peterson wasn‘t a factor) and a solid passing attack.

Murray is the Cowboys key to success Sunday

 Tony Romo no longer has the pressure of Texas bearing upon him. The arrival of DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant has Cowboys fans remembering the 3-star offensive days of Aikman-Smith-Irvin. The Cowboys as a team benefit if Murray runs wild, if they lean to heavy on the passing game it’s a coin flip. The Packers ranked 23^rd against the run compared to the ‘Boys 2^nd ranked rushing attack. Through the air it’s a toss-up, (15^th ranked Pass defense for GB, 16^th ranked Pass offense for Dal). If it comes down to crunch time and that’s the difference, I’ll take the Packers against the unpredictable Tony Romo.

 For the Pack, the team’s success rides on Aaron Rodgers. A 100% healthy Rodgers wins this game….he is not 100%. The offsetting factor to that is the Cowboys 26^th ranked pass defense. That being said, they slowed the pass happy Lions last week. We all agree Matthew Stafford is no Aaron Rodgers, but Jordy Nelson is no Calvin Johnson either. Eddie Lacy is “fresh” according to Coach Mike McCarthy, going up against a Cowboys defense that ranked 8^th against the run. As much as the Cowboys are relying on Murray, the Packers are relying on Rodgers.

 While the Packers have been consistently solid throughout the year, the Cowboys have been a roller coaster of extreme highs and lows. Their come from behind win last week against Detroit has them riding a high. In a game that is so tightly contested, they’ll ride that high to another victory.

My Pick: Cowboys 27-24