Division Saturday Preview

By Dan Rodgers

House sitting with the girlfriend. I was in Delaware so this preview is going to be a bit late. This is going to be an excellent Saturday full of football. First off, we should have an offensive explosion.

Cardinals (+7) at Saints

The Arizona Cardinals head to the Big Easy to take on the Saints. This should be over a 70 point-plus game. Look for the Saints to shock everyone and put up a ton of points even though many "experts" expected them to be out of sync due to losing their last three games and having the bye week. I look for them to barely reach the 40's while the Cardinals will be close behind in the high 30's. The defenses in this game will once again get embarrassed, but the Saints will get the last laugh because they'll put up more points. Kurt Warner might have played his last playoff game and who knows what that will mean for Fitzgerald and Boldin. Also, look for both rushing attacks to be utilized because of the hype in the passing game.

My prediction: Cardinals (+7) 38 Saints 44

Ravens (+6.5) at Colts

I love, beyond recognition, the Ravens to AT LEAST cover the spread in this game. I will not make any promises but don't act surprised if the Ravens pull this one out. The Colts will probably focus in on stopping Ray Rice so Joe Flacco will probably have to do better than the 35 passing yards he had last week. I expect the Ravens defense to have a similar repeat performance of what they did last time to the Colts when they held them to only 17 points. I expect the Ravens to at least punch it into the end zone once, but if they get down to the goalline and they don't give it to McClain I will go crazy. Look for a couple turnovers but Peyton won't go down without a fight.

Ravens (+6.5) 26 Colts 20

If I were a betting man (laughs), I would take the over in the Saints/Cards game and Baltimore to cover the spread.

See you tomorrow.

Rodgers That

NFL Sunday Recap

By Dan Rodgers

I was a bit closer on with these predictions, but I seem to be struggling with my NFC picks and my AFC picks are right on. Hopefully this will improve.

AFC Wild-Card:

Baltimore Ravens (+3.5) 34 New England Patriots 23

My prediction: Ravens 33 Patriots 14

I was right on with the Ravens on this prediction but apparently I gave the Pats a little too much credit. They actually would have had 34 points, but they went for a two-point conversation to go up 21 points. Ray Rice had 159 yards and two touchdowns. Tom Brady was responsible for two touchdown passes, three interceptions and a lost fumble. The Ravens completely dominated the game from the start jumping out to a 24 to nothing first quarter lead. Ray Rice set the pace early with an 83-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. The Pats didn't even stand a chance once the Ravens scored again off a Brady fumble.

NFC Wild-Card:

Green Bay Packers (PK) 45 at Arizona Cardinals 51

My prediction: Packers 37 Cardinals 27

I couldn't have been more far off on this one, but it was crazy game to watch. The game set the NFL record for the highest scoring post-season game in history. The Packers came back from a 31-10 third quarter deficit to tie the game at 45 with under two minutes left. Kurt Warner drove the Cards down the field and with 16 seconds left they lined up for a "chip-shot" field goal. Rackers pulled it wide left and Aaron Rodgers knelt down to send the game to OT. The Packers won the toss and on third down and 10 to go, I saw a crazy play. Rodgers was sacked and had the ball knocked out of his hand, but as it was headed to the turf Rodgers was taken off of his feet and kicked the ball back into the air. Karlos Dansby caught the ball in mid-air and ran it in for the game winning touchdown. Just absolutely deflating to me because I was definitely rooting for my bro A-Rodge. Better luck next year. Good luck in New Orleans Kurt and the Cards.

Rodgers That

Sunday Preview

By Dan Rodgers

Ravens (+3.5) at Patriots

I definitely love the Ravens in this game to at least cover the spread. Primarily because of that half point but if you just look at the match up: the Ravens had numerous opportunities to beat the Pats earlier this season and the Pats are injured. Brady primarily has numerous injuries including ribs and a finger. I personally think the Ravens will win out right, but if you're going to put your money on anything definitely on the Ravens to at least cover. Patriots won't be able to do anything besides win by a field goal if that.

My prediction: Ravens (+3.5) 34 Patriots 23

Look for a high scoring game and multiple turnovers. Ray Rice should have 150+ yards and 2 touchdowns. Tom Brady will have 2 touchdowns and a turnover or two.

Packers (PK) at Cardinals

Recently the spread has gone more in the Packers favor because of the beat down the laid on Arizona last week. Green Bay is the hottest team in the NFL right now winning seven of their last right games with their only loss coming at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers on a last second touchdown pass. One of my favorite young players, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, is slightly injured but he will play. Look for the Packers to air it out like they did last week to open up the ground game with Ryan Grant. The game won't be nearly as much of a blowout as it was last week, but it Green Bay will win by double digits.

My prediction: Green Bay (PK) 37 Arizona 27

Rodgers That

NFL Saturday Recap

By Dan Rodgers

I just want to apologize to the Dallas Cowboys and their fans for the lack of faith I had in them. I do want to say I was thoroughly convinced that they can win in the playoffs now with that blow out win over division rival Philly. Not only did the Cowboys win, but they did so over a division foe for the third time this season. Beating a team three times in one season is extremely difficult to thing to accomplish.

AFC Wild-Card:

New York Jets (+2.5) 24 Cincinnati Bengals 14

My prediction: Jets 26 Bengals 17

I would say that I was fairly accurate in my prediction with this game. I said that Mark Sanchez was the difference and I was right. He completed 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he did not turn the ball over, and he wasn't even close. Sanchez played smart football and handed the ball off like a pro. Thomas Jones had limited action due to injury, but they Jets didn't miss a beat because rookie Shonn Greene ran for 135 yards including a 39-yard touchdown. I also said the defense would have to control Benson, which they absolutely did not. I have to give Benson credit because he is the only one that showed up. He had a phenomenal game breaking the Bengals franchise post-season record for rushing yards in a single game. Carson Palmer was the lesser of the USC quarterbacks as he only completed 18 of 36 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown to ex-Jet Laverneous Coles and an interception to Darrelle Revis.

Simply, the Jets outplayed the Bengals (again) in every aspect of the game. Look for an interesting matchup next week against either the Colts or Chargers.

NFC Wild-Card

Philadelphia Eagles (+4) 14 Dallas Cowboys 34

My prediction: Eagles 30 Cowboys 23

Basically, I expected the Eagles to show up. Plain and simple, they didn't. The Cowboys dominated the entire game on both sides of the ball. Tony Romo looked as good as he's ever looked and even Roy Williams contributed. The Cowboys won their first playoff game since 1996 and have been on fire of recent. They really proved that tonight with their domination over a division rival for the second time in as many weeks. I was correct with a 40-plus yard touchdown but it was to Jeremy Maclin and not DeSean Jackson. Jackson did catch a meaningless three yard touchdown. On a note for next week's games, I love the Cowboys to upset the reeling Vikings. Minnesota has been inconsistent of recent, especially the play of Brett Favre, who thankfully didn't win MVP this year.

Look out later for Sunday's predictions.

Rodgers That