Baltimore Ravens (10-6) vs. Denver Broncos (13-3)

Ravens – 16th

Broncos – 4th

Ravens – 17th

Broncos – 2nd

Baltimore is very fortunate to be in this spot.  The score shows that they won handedly last week against the Colts, but they could have lost momentum in that game at any point.  Now they have to face a Denver team that is determined not to miss on this opportunity to win a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning.  The Ravens have some bad history with Peyton in the playoffs.  They aren’t thinking about that, but they know it’s there.  Just like they needed Joe Flacco to outplay Tom Brady last year in the AFC Championship game.  They will need Flacco to be even better in this one.  Peyton Manning though has perhaps the best defense he’s ever had this year.  It won’t be easy, but the Ravens have no other choice if they want another shot at the AFC title.

Matchup to watch for: Ravens QB Joe Flacco vs. Broncos defense

Green Bay Packers (11-5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1)

Packers – 13th

49ers – 11th

Packers – 11th

49ers – 3rd

The Packers were a ferocious team last week against the Vikings. They will have to be again with the 49ers.  This time around the Niners don’t have Alex Smith as their quarterback.  Instead they will show the Packers what Colin Kaepernick can do.  But aside from that, the Niners need to do what they did in Green Bay.  And that’s run the ball with Frank Gore.  If that works again, you will see Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on the sideline for most of the game. That won’t be a good thing for Green Bay who needs to score a lot of points if they want to advance.  The Packers have a lot of weapons to cover, but that didn’t stop the 49ers last year from beating the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Round.  This could be a similar type of game and the results could be the same.

Matchup to watch for: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers vs. 49ers defense

Seattle Seahawks (11-5) vs. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)

Seahawks – 17th

Falcons – 8th

Seahawks – 4th

Falcons – 24th

Can the Seattle Seahawks defeat the Atlanta Falcons in the dome? Sure.  Atlanta better believe they can.  Look what happened to Washington last week after they were up by 14 points.  The Falcons have been prone to giving up a lead this year, but they have shown that they can keep it.  Atlanta’s defense will have to be able to stop the Seahawks running game for the entire game if they want to host the NFC Championship game.  It won’t be easy, but teams have been able to keep the Seahawks at bay this season.  And the same can be said for the Falcons high powered offense.  Seattle will need to make sure that Atlanta can’t run the ball consistently.  If the Seahawks do that they will be let loose to pressure Matt Ryan who has been kept clean for most of this season.

Matchup to watch for: Seahawks defense vs. Falcons offense

Houston Texans (12-4) vs. New England Patriots (12-4)

Texans – 7th

Patriots – 1st

Texans – 7th

Patriots – 25th

Houston will actually get another shot at the New England Patriots. Although they would have preferred it to be at home and not in New England again.  All the pressure rests on Texans QB Matt Schaub. Yes, last week was his first playoff game and he played well.  But he can’t have any turnovers if they want to beat the Patriots.  No more interceptions returned for touchdowns especially.  RB Arian Foster is Schaub’s safety net.  If TE Owen Daniels and Foster are open underneath, throw it to them.  Houston likes the big play, but they don’t have to go for it all the time.  Patience will be their weapon.  The Patriots gameplan is simple.  Let Tom Brady do his thing.  He doesn’t lose many playoff games at home.  Two in total. And he’s going for the record for most playoff wins as a starting quarterback.  Passing the great Joe Montana.  If there was a time for redemption, it would be now for Houston.  And they are up to the task.  They just need to prove it.

Matcup to watch for: Texans offense vs. Patriots defense