There will be no “Tebowing” in Foxboro this weekend. (Top [from left-to-right]: Ryan, John, Jon. Bottom [from left-to-right]: Nick, JC, Jay. [Far right]: Zach)
Are you sports fans as excited for this round of the NFL playoffs like we are?! Every game this week features fantastic matchups that will definitely be exciting to watch. Plus, Tebow is coming to Foxboro tomorrow night! Below are the standings from last week: let’s see how the NESR team fared in the wild-card round.
Standings as of 1/13/12
Jay: 3-1
JC: 3-1
Ryan: 2-2
John: 2-2
With that said, we have three new NESR members joining the playoff predictions this week, namely Jon, Nick, Zach. Let’s see what teams the guys picked to advance this week!
1/14/12 4:30 PM EST on Fox
Ryan: Saints
Alex Smith won’t be able to keep up with Drew Brees and the Saints’ offense given his playoff inexperience. Even against a strong 49ers’ D, Brees will find a way to put up some points.
John: 49ers
I am going to be honest…I have probably seen the 49ers play about one game this year, but I belive in their defense. I think this defensive group can shut Drew Brees and his 6ft-plus wideouts down. It will be a very interesting game, but the 49ers will come out on top.
Jay: Saints
Drew Brees is too good for the 49ers’ defense. The Saints’ D will stop Frank Gore and win a close game.
JC: Saints
The 49ers’ defense can slow Saints down but wont stop them. The 49ers aren’t going to win by just kicking FG’s.
Jon: 49ers
The underrated 49ers’ defense will shut down the high-powered offense of the Saints. They will control the ball with their running game and score just enough points to win. The Saints are great at home, but very average outdoors.
Nick: Saints
Drew Brees has a lot more playoff experience than Alex Smith. This inexperience will prove fatal for the 49ers.
Zach: Saints
This game is going to be a landslide. Drew Brees is on fire, and the 49ers will be lucky if they get to 21 points given their futile offense.
1/14/12 8:00 PM EST on CBS
Ryan: Patriots
Brady will outduel Tebow and tear the Broncos’ secondary apart as he did in Week 15. The Patriots will cover the 13-point spread with a 38-24 victory.
John: Patriots
Is this even a question? The Patriots are going to win this battle, I just think it will be a lot closer than what people may think. The Patriots will have to get going early; they can’t afford to get off to yet another slow start in the playoffs.
Jay: Patriots
Tebow Time does not exist in Massachusetts. This will be a close game, but will ultimately be won with a late Brady touchdown.
JC: Patriots
Tebow Time has finally struck midnight. The Patriots are looking to make a statement after losing their last three playoff games, so… IT’S BRADY TIME!
Jon: Patriots
This game will be closer than most people think, but Brady and the offense will simply outscore Denver. Tebow Time is over.
Nick: Patriots
The Patriots and Broncos will have a mini shootout in the first half, but Brady will outscore Tebow and the Broncos in the second.
Zach: Patriots
This game will feature a much different first half than in Week 15. The Patriots won’t make the same defensive mistakes again, especially against the run.
1/15/12 1:00 PM EST on CBS
Ryan: Ravens
Ray Rice will rack up yards per usual, and the Ravens’ D-Line should be able to keep containment on Arian Foster. T.J. Yates’ inexperience will prove deadly against the veteran Ravens defense.
John: Ravens
Ray Rice, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs…need I say more?
Jay: Ravens
The Ravens defense will destroy the rookie Yates. The Ravens’ home field advantage will help them dominate this game.
JC: Ravens
Another possible toss-up game. The Texans only hope will be to stop Ray Rice. But, I don’t see them being able to stop the Ravens.
Jon: Ravens
Ray Rice and the Ravens’ defense will dominate the Texans. Joe Flacco will manage the game and avoid mistakes. I don’t think the Texans have what it takes to beat a team as complete as the Ravens.
Nick: Ravens
The Ravens’ defense will win the game for them. The offense, not so much.
Zach: Texans
The Ravens have a great defense, but if anyone can beat them it’s Arian Foster!
1/15/12 4:30 PM EST on Fox
Ryan: Giants
The Giants are the most complete team in the NFL. Their pass rush will throw off the timing of the Packers offense and rattle Aaron Rodgers. Eli’s efficient passing and his offense’s balanced running attack will have no problem scoring against this weak Packers’ D.
John: Packers
Hmm…this one could go either way, but I am going to have to go with the Packers since they are at home and are still the champions. Not for long, though; the other #12 is looking for his fourth ring!
Jay: Giants
The pass rush makes Rodgers uncomfortable, and we know what happens when QB’s are uncomfortable…mistakes happen. Giants will win by two touchdowns.
JC: Packers
This one could very well be a toss-up. But you gotta side with the reigning champs at home.
Jon: Packers
This will be an epic game that will come down to the last minute, but Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers; that’s all I need to say.
Nick: Packers
Eli will choke, and the reigning champions will move on.
Zach: Packers
Jordy Nelson is having a dream season paired with an MVP-caliber year from Rodgers. This game will be an easy win.
What teams do you fans think are going to the AFC and NFC championship?
-The NESR Team
