Best Bets for NFL Divisional Round Weekend
Who will win, step up and get beat down during the NFL's Divisional Round Weekend....
As always, these fantasy musings do not reflect the opinion of FFToolbox.com, but just a solo fantasy writer with too much time on his hands now that he has stopped licking his wounds after a rough start to the playoff prognosticating. ...and of course, the picks are for informational purposes only...
Also, note that the FFToolbox.com podcast will be back on February 2nd, previewing the Super Bowl and discussing the latest NFL news and rumors as they pertain to the fantasy world. Down the line we will have shows previewing the Super Bowl and breaking down NFL Free Agency, the combine and NFL Draft.
Last week: 0-4 straight, 1-3 spread
Overall (thru Week 14): 174-93 straight; 132-131-4 spread
Arizona 38 (+7) NEW ORLEANS 35: I am nervous about what kind of energy the Cards will have, at least early on, playing on a short week after coming off an emotionally draining win. The latest reports suggest Anquan Boldin is unlikely to play this week, though Steve Breaston and Early Doucet picked .up the slack last week. Plus, you know Drew Brees is licking his chops after watching Aaron Rodgers shred the Cards defense last week. And yet...it is hard to get behind the Saints after the way they stumbled down the stretch. If Brees and company can get their early season mojo back, they will be a tough out for anyone. Still, their defense is equally inept UNLESS the offense starts fast and gives them a lead. The Cards are a Jekyll and Hyde team, but Kurt Warner looks to have the eye of the tiger yet again and their defense will do just enough to help...
Dallas 27 (+3) MINNESOTA 21: Would like to take the Vikes and they have the game breakers to score plenty, especially if Percy Harvin is past his recent migraine headache issues. The home crowd noise should aid Jared Allen and the Vikes pass rush. Brett Favre has certainly played very well this year and the Vikes offense is not the one-dimensional attack the Cowboys faced the last two weeks. And yet...they simply had too many holes exposed down the stretch. The offensive line, considered the best in the game in some circles not long ago, has been having a hard time opening up holes for Adrian Peterson and the ground game and that job will not be made easier this week facing a red hot Cowboys front seven. The secondary has been allowing big chunks in the passing game and CB Antoine Winfield remains limited with his foot injury, something Tony Romo and Miles Austin are sure to take advantage of. Plus, the Felix Jones factor adds an entire other dimension the Cowboys did not have for stretches of the season. The home field makes this a tough one to call, but the Boys are simply playing better right now...
INDIANAPOLIS 28 (-6) Baltimore 17: These teams met earlier this season and the Colts eked out a road win, their seventh straight in the series. Ray Rice racked up 135 total yards in that earlier contest, something he has a great chance to do again this week as he and fellow back Willis McGahee face the Colts 24th ranked rush defense. And yet...their secondary is beat up and unlike Tom Brady last week, Peyton Manning enters the game healthy and with all his weapons. Even if the Ravens take Reggie Wayne out, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie will have open space to work. Also, the Colts defense is often overlooked, but they are playing at high level and should be able to flummox Joe Flacco...
SAN DIEGO 20 NY Jets 14 (+7): Philip Rivers and the Chargers passing game have been unstoppable most of the season and even if Darrelle Revis silences Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd will get theirs. if they get up by two scores, it will be very hard for Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez, who was allowed to throw with comfortable down and distance last week, to overcome And yet...the Jets have the better offensive line and ground game. They have the better overall defense, even if they did give up big yards to Cedric Benson last week. They have more swagger, certainly in the coaching matchup if not across the board. Yes, I am a little concerned I am giving the Jets too much credit because they played last week and the Bolts were off, but I also believe the Sanchez factor will reveal itself in the fourth quarter and the Chargers move on. Gates is the hero in the passing game and Darren Sproles once again comes up large in the postseason, making two big plays, one on special teams...