The Dallas Cowboys learned the hard way that Karma is a four-letter word after losing to the Green Bay Packers in their NFC Divisional Round matchup. Despite the win, though, the Packers didn’t make everyone rooting for them to win happy, especially those who bet on them to cover the spread as 5.5-point home faves. Will Green Bay be able to make amends to its spread bettors and cover at CenturyLink Field? Read what we have to say about this game and of the Colts-Patriots showdown below.
[sc:Football ]2014 NFL Conference Round Picks
Sunday, January 18
Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks (3:05 PM ET)
Writer’s Pick: Seahawks (- 7.5)
[sc:NFL240banner ]In the words of the ESPN First Take’s Stephen A. Smith: “Aaron Rodgers is a baaaadd man”. That’s exactly what the Packers quarterback was in the team’s win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Round Game in Lambeau Field. Rodgers passed for 316 yards and three touchdowns as the Packers took down Dallas, 26-21. That being said, it’s going to be difficult for Rodgers to be that same guy next week against the Seahawks.
Aside from his ongoing calf issues, Rodgers’ burden includes that of Seattle’s top-rated defense that has consistently silenced opposing teams’ offenses since Week 12. During that seven-game stretch, the Seahawks have allowed a miniscule 8.0 points per game. Giving the ball a lot to Eddie Lacy doesn’t even seem to be a good idea for Green Bay, as the Seahawks are No. 1 in rushing defense at the end of the regular season with only 81.5 rushing yards allowed per game. On top of that, the Packers have their questionable ability to win on the road against quality teams this season going against them.
The Packers are 0-4 on the road during the regular season, three of which were against .500 or better teams. That includes their 36-16 loss at CenturyLink Field in Week 1. Conversely, the Seahawks are 6-0 SU and 4-1-1 ATS in their last six home games.
Seattle wins, 28-16.
Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots (6:40 PM ET)
Writer’s Pick: Colts (+ 7)
Tom Brady is going to be Tom Brady, but Jonas Gray will not be the Week 11 Jonas Gray this coming Sunday. Despite being blown out of the water in Week 11 (42-20) by the Patriots, who racked up 503 total yards—201 coming from Gray’s ground work that included four touchdowns—expect Indianapolis defense to show up next Sunday.
Since his anomalous performance in Week 11, Gray has conspicuously fallen off a cliff, picking up just 80 rushing yards in his next five games. Brady, on the other hand, looked great in the Pats’ win over the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday as he threw for 367 passing yards and two touchdowns with one interception for a 99.3 passer rating. Brady is going to be a handful for Indianapolis, but the Colts have shown they can handle him when they limited Brady to 257 yards and picked him twice in Week 11. So long as the Pats’ rushing game will be as non-existent as it was against the Ravens, when the team’s backfield put up just 14 rushing yards, the Colts are going to be fine.
The reinvigorated Colts defense has been playing the hero role thus far this postseason, perfectly complementing the team’s offense led by Andrew Luck. In the AFC Divisional Round matchup with the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis held Peyton Manning to just 211 passing yards and 75.5 passer rating. The same Colts defense limited Andy Dalton to only 155 passing yards in the AFC Wild Card Round game.
Next Sunday, Andrew Luck and the rest of the Indianapolis Colts will leave Foxborough with the AFC Championship Trophy. Indianapolis wins, 32-27.
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