With apologies for the long layoff. This 70 hour work week I've had to put in getting ready for a presentation in Denver is a real time suck.
More thoughts on some other items later, particularly the joys and difficulties in shopping for organic foods, but let's get to football.
3-1 last week. Not bad.
Baltimore (+10) @ Denver - If it wasn't evident last week, I don't think much of Baltimore. The usual descriptions apply, they're old and their offense could politely be described as inconsistent.
That said, while the Broncos have proven themselves to be a very good team this seson, understand that their division is weak and injuries have caused some significant holes on defense. I think they have enough to win, but only a fool gives 10 points in a playoff game. Baltimore (+10).
Green Bay @ San Francisco (-3) - Now this is the game you want to see. Unquestionably the 49ers have a great defense. And the Packers do a masterful job of spreading the field and getting receivers open. You can make a case for both teams here. You can argue the Packers have no run game and an offensive line in a state of transition that should be eaten up by the 49ers defense. You can argue that the 49ers run game should be able to play ground control and keep the 49ers defense off the field. Conversely, you can say that the Justin Smith injury seriously hampers the 49ers defense and that a solid Packer defense can cause problems for Colin Kaepernick. It's a tough call and the -3 is basically a home field spread. Thought it is on the road, the Packers are healthy and the 49ers are not. This could go either way but Green Bay (+3)
Seattle @ Atlanta (-2.5) - The Falcons are a perennial one and done playoff team that has ended up this way because they've lacked a pass rush. And if Chris Clemons were healthy, instead of done for the year, I'd take the Seahawks here. But his injury, and the fact the Falcons are fully healthy, and at home, should be enough to get coach Mike Smith his first playoff win. Atlanta(-2.5)
Houston @ New England (-9) -This was an incredibly unpleasant game for the Texans the last time they went up to Foxboro. While JJ Watt, who was completely shut out by the Patriots offensive line in that first matchup, has rebounded to have a stellar season, I've seen little to nothing from the Texans offense, which is poorly schemed, to tell me they can keep up with the Patriots. (New England -9)
