AFC Divisional Round Predictions

Indianapolis Colts at the New England Patriots 
Saturday January 11th, 8:15 P.M. on CBS

The Colts are coming off a game in which they fell 38-10 to the Chiefs but made a huge second half comeback to stun the Chiefs 45-44.  While this was an amazing comeback the Colts CANNOT get into that kind of spot on the road against the Patriots or really on the road in the playoffs for that matter.  Playing at home in a dome is a much different game than being on the road in a cold playoff game against the likes of Tom Brady.  If Andrew Luck can prevent the turnovers and run the ball well they have a shot at winning this one.

The New England Patriots will come in well rested following a first round bye and will be comfortable at home where they went 8-0 this season, again that does not always translate to the playoffs.  For those that watched the Chargers at Bengals game we saw a team that was 8-0 at home fall to a road playoff team, but the major difference is the quarterback for the home team.  The Patriots have found a solid running game, if they can feed Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount the ball then they can control the clock, between them in the regular season they combine for a total of 1,545 yards and 14 touchdowns.  The only issue they had and mostly Ridley is fumbling the ball, if the Patriots can not fumble and keep pounding the ball they will take care of the clock and the Colts, the Patriots need this to happen to help open the passing game.

Prediction:

Patriots win another home playoff game by the score of 35-20


San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
Sunday January 12th 4:40 P.M. CBS

The San Diego Chargers went on the road and beat the Cincinnati Bengals who had been a perfect 8-0 at home in the regular season and they look like a team that is coming together at the right time.  They controlled the clock and the defense came up big time as well, if they can do this in Denver they will be fine.  The Chargers run game was a big help in the game against the Bengals, they ran for a team total of 196 yards on 40 carries averaging 4.9 yards a carry and when you are on the road in the playoffs that is a must.  The Chargers will be able to keep the ball away from Peyton Manning who shredded passing records this season with all of his touchdowns and passing yards.  The other important thing the Chargers have to do to is play tough man to man on the Broncos pass catchers and get in Manning's face.

The Broncos are coming off a bye-week and hold the home field advantage throughout the playoffs and now find themselves playing a divisional opponent for the third time this season.  The Chargers came into Denver in week 15 and left with a win by the score of 27-20 and you better believe Manning will not forget that and he will want to go out there and beat San Diego.  The Broncos possess the offense to put up points at will, but as history has shown what is done in the regular season means nothing in the post season, examples would be the Colts in 2004 when Manning lead his Colts to 3 points in New England following a 49 passing touchdown season.  Another example is the 2007 Patriots who could not find a way to beat the Giants so the Broncos better be prepared for anything, especially against the Chargers who have gave Manning trouble in the past.

And of course Manning has had issues in the playoffs in his career being one and done 9 times.

Prediction:
This may seem bold to some, but I am taking the Chargers in this one by the score of 34-21