Paul Peck's NFL Picks for Division Playoffs

BUFFALO (WIVB) -
It's the best weekend of football all season long.  All the best teams are playing, and the matchups are intriguing.  There's the defense of the 49ers against the Saints offense, Tim Tebow and his magic against Tom Brady and the Patriots, the Giants looking for a repeat of 2008 with a win in Green Bay, and the Ravens trying to stay undefeated at home.

Last Week:  2-2

Season:  150-92

Texans vs, Ravens:  Baltimore has bothered me with their inconsistency, but there are very consistent at home.  Undefeated.  Their defense is a bit overrated, with everything still thinking their the dominant unit of years ago.  They're good, and good enough to beat a rookie quarterback in T.J. Yates.  Arian Foster will gain some yards, and Andre Johnson will make some catches.  But overall, Yates will sturggle with the pass rush.  Now the Texans defense will also mess with Joe Flacco, who has also been inconsistent.  But he should make a few more plays.  This one will be closer than most expect, but go with the experienced team.  Raven win.   

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Saints vs. 49ers:  Classic battle of wills.  49ers give up 15 points per game.  Saints score 34.  I still think the New Orleans offense is so variable, and Drew Brees is so good, that they will score more than 15.  Don't forget about a Saints defense that can confuse and mess with Alex Smith.  I don't see a 30 point Saints game.  But figure on 20-30 and that should be enough.  Brees is so good, and on such a roll that I don't expect it to stop today, or at all (Super Bowl prediction hint).  If their stable of backs can run the ball a little, it will loosen up the SF defense.  Again, Darren Sproles and his versatility will be a huge.   Winner:  Saints..

Patriots vs. Broncos:  When they played a few weeks ago, the Pats basically outscored the Broncos and Tim Tebow could play the catchup up game.  Expect that to happen again.  I like the Denver defense, but I don't think they will slow down Brady and his gang.  Once the Patriots build a lead and take Tebow out of his running/option game, it's over.  Yes, Tebow threw well against the Steelers.  But they allowed that to happen by ganging up on the run and then getting burned in man-to-man coverage.  While the NE defense isn't good, it might not matter.  I don't see Tebow throwing as well as he did. Nice run, Tim.  But it ends Saturday night.  Winner: Patriots.

Giants vs. Packers:   Green Bay offense is great.  Aaron Rodgers is fantastic.  But what's the one thing that can neutralize a great QB?  Pass rush.  The Giants have that with Pierre-Paul, Tuck,, Umenyiora, etc.  Add in an offense that is now running the ball and getting great games from Eli Manning, and you have the recipe for an upset.  Last year, the Packers used the wild card route and road playoff games to win the Super Bowl.  Now, they're home and that passing game will have to deal with the Green Bay weather.  I think the Packers are an awesome team.  But I don't know that they're good enough to win a second straight title.  The Giants are good enough to derail those hopes.  Upset of the weekend.  Winner:  Giants.