Preview of Weekend 1 of the NFL Playoffs

We've gone through the sprint of the regular season - along with the added bonus of a lockout this year. But we're here at last. We're only 5 weekends away from the Super Bowl and there's 3 weekends to decide who'll feature in Indianapolis in February.

The first weekend of the NFL playoffs kicks off with the wildcards taking on the lowest ranked division winners starting Sunday morning (NZ time). All but one game will be shown on New Zealand TV courtesy of ESPN - that one being the Falcons at Giants game as that is on the FOX network which you'd think Sky NZ with its News Corp links would pick up on the regular Sky Sports channels.

Saturday

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans, 10:30am 
Both teams go into this historic playoff fixture - the first playoff game in Texans history and the first playoff game at Reliant Stadium that isn't the Super Bowl - having lost their last games.

However, the Texans did rest many stars against the Titans and still only just lost by a point. They also now have the option of the experienced Jake Delhomme who took the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl in 2004, should TJ Yates fail.

The Bengals struggled to beat a good side (Ravens and Steelers) this season and they somehow lost to the Texans earlier in the season from a winning position. This will be the biggest game of their lives yet for young stars, Andy Dalton and AJ Green.  

Prediction: Texans to win - they're at home and that defence is still one of the meanest in the NFL and is suited to playoff football.

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints, 2pm
This is my pick of the games this weekend. Both teams have quarterbacks who have thrown for at least 5,000 yards this season and are playing extremely well at the moment.

This game has the potential to be a touchdown shootout if the Lions can learn from their game last month and match the Saints in every facet - a hard task but at least they've had the experience of playing the Saints already and have a knack of learning things fast this year.

The Lions do have Ndamukong Suh available for this game unlike last time - he is a huge presence on the field and gives that Lions defence the X-factor needed to take on the incredible Saints offence under the Superdome.

Prediction: Saints to win a very high scoring game. 

Sunday
Atlanta Falcons at NY Giants, 7am
Two very physical football teams take on each other at what will be Metlife Stadium's first ever playoff game. It's hard to say which Giants side will turn up and this current Falcons team do not look like they will throw away games like the Cowboys did.

Matt Ryan and the Falcons are due a first ever playoff win and they have a great chance if they can control the game with their offence and wear down the Giants' athletic defensive ends. Expect to see a very physical running game with Michael Turner getting plenty of carries.

However, there is always the Eli Manning factor in the playoffs as all Patriots and Packers fans are aware of. He is extremely calm and skilled when the stakes are sky high - some of his best throws have been made when the game is very much on the line.

Prediction: Tough call. Might go for the Falcons as they are due that first playoff win.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos, 10:30am   
A glance at this and you'd think surely the Steelers. But they do have some issues in the offence with Big Ben not quite 100% and their best running back, Rashard Mendenhall out for the season with ligament damage.

The Broncos have had the same issues they've had in the last few weeks - a quarterback learning the game and with not the best throwing arm but is intelligent enough to know his limitations and play to his strengths.

The "God factor" may have disappeared in the last three games but there were signs in that last game against Kansas City Chiefs that the team are back to doing what they do best - giving themselves a chance and keeping the score low.

The Steelers haven't been setting scoring records in their last few games and this could play into the hands of the Broncos at home, in their first playoff game in years and with a defence that is still one of the best.

Prediction: Going to go for an upset. Broncos to win in the last quarter. Tebowtime goes on the road to Foxborough for Brady v Tebow Round 2.

If my predictions are right, week 2 of the playoffs will look like this:

(all times NZ time)


Sunday
New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers, 10:30am
Denver Broncos at New England Patriots, 2pm

Monday
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens, 7am
Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers, 10:30am

BRING IT ON!