1. Green Bay Packers (+3) vs. San Francisco – Entering the season, the 49ers were the superior team. However, since that Week 1 win, the Packers have gotten better while the 49ers have not. A lot of that has to do with key injuries to SF.
One of the most important injuries in this game is Justin Smith, whose absence has had a negative effect on the entire defense’s performance, and who will be nowhere near 100% on Saturday if he can go.
Look for Green Bay to attack the 49ers through the air, and on defense, a side they’ve finally gotten healthy on (LB Clay Matthews and CB Charles Woodson have returned), look for a better effort than their earlier contest.
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2. Seattle Seahawks (+2.5) vs. Atl – The Seahawks won their 1st road playoff game since the 1980s last week, and will win their 2nd this week. While the Falcons have the No. 1 seed in the NFC, no one considers them the top team in the division.
Look for Seattle, which is a more balanced team and possesses a top tier defense. to pull out a hard fought win again.
3. Baltimore Ravens (+9.5) vs. Den – The Broncos should win this game, but Peyton Manning has been shaky over his career in the post season. Baltimore is playing better than when these teams last met, and will keep it within double digits.
4. New England Patriots (-9.5) vs. Hou – The Texans were buried the last time these two teams faced. This doesn’t bode well for this meeting. New England’s strength – the pass – is the Texans’ weakness, and Matt Schaub and Houston’s offense has been in neutral the past month. The Patriots will cover the point spread with an easy win.
