Click here for Six One Three's Preview on all four of this weekends Divisional Playoff Games. What a week for contrasting QB styles. Saturday features the contest between the dual threat read option passers - Newton, and Kaepernick, - as well as the match up of undersized, ultra competitive, student of the game signal callers - Wilson and Brees. Looking ahead to Sunday we feature the traditional robotic like pocket passers - Rivers and Manning - as well as two of the hardest working, most devoted, and intense leaders at the QB position - Brady and Luck. Stay tuned as each game will showcase a different style of quarterbacking. Find out who will win, who will surprise, and who to watch. Get the early edge in your playoff pool by reading our preview as we discuss:
- The Saints seeking revenge in Seattle
- Will the Luck run out for Colts in New England?
- Two Dynamic QB's face off in Carolina - and so does Steve Smith and Rick Flair (Woo!)
- The Real McCoy (Mike) leads SD to try and upset Denver for the 2nd time
"DangeRUSS" Wilson hosts Drew Brees and the Saints coming off their big road win in Philly! SAINTS @ SEAHAWKS - Saturday 4:35pm
WHO TO WATCH:
WHO WE LIKE:
WHO WE DON'T:
WHO WILL WIN & WHY
WHO TO WATCH:
- M. Ingram vs. Seattle Front 4: Ingram ran hard last game - he needs at least 50+ rush yards for NO to maintain balance on offense.
- Percy Harvin: So he is back from injury (again) and essentially this is the time of year they got him for.
- Jimmy Graham: Does anyone finish inside the red zone better than Jimmy? Always fights for pay dirt.
- Brees vs. Wilson: The two little guy QB's of the playoffs square off. It could be Brees-y in Seattle?
WHO WE LIKE:
- Sean Payton: Creative Genius and fearless. Sean Payton will call any play at any time.
- Seattles Home Field: We all remember what happened last time the Saints came marching in.
- Marshawn Lynch: Beast Mode became legendary with his ESPY TD run vs. NO last playoff matchup
WHO WE DON'T:
- Saints Defense: Without Vacarro this is an average bunch aside from Cam Jordan on the DLine.
- Pete Carroll: Smiley McGee hasn't won many big Playoff Matchups - is he good but not great?
- Saints Targets Outside of Jimmy: Kenny Stills, Lance Moore, and Sproles need to step it up.
- Jim Nants and Phil Simms: As generic as they are on Madden 25 - where's John Gruden?
WHO WILL WIN & WHY
- The Seattle Seahawks Win! The Saints will put up a much better fight than their first go around however aside from Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles - New Orleans might not have enough offensive firepower to compensate for the historically great Seattle defense. It sure would be nice to Richard Sherman get burnt for a TD or two - but he has plenty of help surround him, especially rushing the passer. The difference will be the key stops Seattle is able to make vs. Brees while the Saints defense will struggle to containing Wilson's scrambling ability. Wilson should be able to keep plays alive a little bit more often than Brees (due to the difference in defensive skill) and that should amount to more points on the scoreboard. If this game was played in a neutral environment - Saints win - however its played in the most hostile of environments - Seattle rolls to the AFC Championship.
Some Pats fan likely has this picture framed on their wall with an epic quote about success written on it. COLTS @ PATRIOTS - Saturday 8:15pm
WHO TO WATCH:
WHO WE LIKE:
WHO WE DON'T:
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
WHO TO WATCH:
- Andrew Luck: The Chiefs will certainly be watching him from home this week and so should you.
- Julian Edelman: How key has he been to the Patriots this season. Takes hits and makes catches.
- TY Hilton: As Deion Sanders pointed out last week, Belichek will not let one guy beat them unlike KC
- S.Vereen/D.Brown: One of these guys is going to make a big play or two - likely Vereen.
WHO WE LIKE:
- Andrew Luck: We are kind of on his bandwagon - but real talk he is a HOFer!
- Aaron Dobson: He has been making big plays for NE consistently in 2nd half of season.
- Brady and Bill: Two weeks to prep for a team with not much preparation needed - sorry Indy
WHO WE DON'T:
- Colts Defense: Perhaps they game planned entirely for Charles last week - bad is an understatement
- Patriots Defense: No Vince Wilfork - they rely on more on solid game planning more than on talent
- Colts in 1st Half: Slow starts and costly mistakes early have been the story of Colts season
- Weather/Field Conidtions: Prepare to get ugly! They have actually flooded their flood in past playoffs
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
- The New England Patriots Win! On paper the Patriots are as beatable as they have ever been in recent playoff history. I mean aside from Brady which offensive player really strikes fear into defenses. Colts are notorious for shooting themselves in the foot this season and the last time you want to do that against is a Belichek coached team. If Colts dig themselves a hole early don't expect a KC like comeback in this one. TY Hilton will not go off for 200+ receiving yards - and unless the Colts ground game or defense suddenly shows up (very doubtful) the Patriots will be headed to the AFC Championship to face (the winner of the Chargers and) Broncos.
Young Money Cash Money: These New School QBs want to prove they can win a SB 49ERS @ PANTHERS - Sunday 1:05pm
WHO TO WATCH:
WHO WE LIKE:
WHO WE DON'T:
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
WHO TO WATCH:
- Those Cool QBs: They are so fun to watch - however they may be limited by good defenses today
- Mike Tolbert: Speaking of fun to watch - did you see him running over people this season?
- Rick Flair: Wherever he is - he is sure to be on camera at some point during this game. Woo!
- Steve Smith: The window for Smith is closing - will the super competitive WR be the X Factor?
WHO WE LIKE:
- Jim Harbaugh: 3rd season in a row with a playoff victory - his experience is a major edge
- Anquan Boldin: Did someone say playoff experience? Ravens don't win SB last year w/o him.
- Carolina DLine: Panthers front four were able to contain/pressure Kaep in earlier matchup
WHO WE DON'T:
- Ron Rivera: Riverboat Ron is a playoff virgin - just like his QB - do we really trust him?
- Carolina Toughness: When adversity strikes, when the chips are down, how do they respond?
- 49ers Secondary: More solid than strong - they can be beaten - Steve Smith has a chance
- Ted Ginn & Brandon Lafell: Time to put up or shut up - solid seasons so far - but are they for real?
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
- The San Francisco! Three years in the playoffs - three years with at least one win - and the 49ers somehow are a dark horse to make the SB. San Fran still has a bitter taste in their mouth after their loss to the Panthers earlier this year and that likely will add a little incentive (as if they need anymore). Unfortunately for the Panthers the regular season is behind them and the playoffs are an entirely different monster. Although Cam has made great strides this season, especially with his leadership and professionalism, we still sense he suffers from a minor case of Jay Cutler-itis (giving up when the chips are down). The 49ers are just as good as the Panthers in almost all facets of the game but they get the edge thanks to their coach and past playoff experience. Look for Kaepernick to continue his strong play of late thanks to the stellar play of Boldin, Crabtree, and Vernon Davis. 49ers win and get to travel to Seattle for the AFC championship!
"Hey Coach remember the deal? I let you win in the season, you let me win the playoff game?" - Peyton CHARGERS @ BRONCOS - Sunday 4:40pm
WHO TO WATCH:
WHO WE LIKE:
WHO WE DON'T:
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
Thanks for reading! Enjoy the games.
WHO TO WATCH:
- Mr. Roboto (Manning): Either way, win or lose, we will be talking about Manning's play come Monday
- Recharged Rivers: Last season his job was in jeopardy this season he is arguably an elite QB
- K. Moreno: A week of rest should have Moreno fresh and ready for 20+ touches
- Demaryius Thomas: It's inevitable - he will get a WR screen for at least 20+ yards, or TD, minimum.
WHO WE LIKE:
- Peyton Manning: Too much is on the line for Peyton for him to not have a brilliant game.
- Danny Woodhead: Broncos defense isn't anything special - Danny IS! Phillip's new Sproles.
- Antonio Gates: He realizes his days are numbered, paired with L. Green one of them will play big
WHO WE DON'T:
- Phillip Rivers: Relies on timing/anticipation so often - mistakes bound to happen. Let down game.
- Ryan Mathews: He is questionable and so is C Nick Hardwig - no further explanataion needed
- Broncos D: If you can believe it they may actually be worse in this years playoffs than last.
- Keenan Allen: The Rookie is about to hit the wall. That wall is Champ Bailey (Champ steps up today)
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
- The Denver Broncos Win! I sense a blow out on the horizon. Denver (Peyton Manning) can not afford another early exit in the playoffs (Tim Tebow was the last Denver QB to get a win in the playoffs) Look for the Broncos to come out fast and get ahead early. Unless Rivers have another picture perfect like performance the Chargers will not be able to match the firepower of the Denver attack. A couple X Factors in this one are Denver KR: Trindon Holliday and Chargers HC: Mike McCoy. Mike McCoy has done a brilliant job this season and he clearly is familiar with Denver's style of play. The only thing that can hold Denver back is their defense and unless they give up 50 points Broncos fans should feel pretty comfortable. Be sure to watch how the refs call this game - you may have a good indication early of who is going to win just by how they officiate. I'm guessing the NFL executives are pushing hard for a New England vs. Denver AFC championship. NFL Fans rejoice as Denver gets the win and heads to the AFC Championship game for yet another Brady (& Bill) versus Manning battle.
Thanks for reading! Enjoy the games.
