Twelve have become eight, and the bye-teams step up this week. The #1 seeds in both conferences ambled into the playoffs with successive losses but will be fresh and raring to go.

Craig aside, we embarrassed ourselves last week, with me going 1-3 and Graham an impressive 0-4. Let’s hope we can step up this week…

In the AFC

Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts
A – The Ravens ran the Patriots something stupid last week. Whatever they did on the ground, the Pats just couldn’t stop. That’s how they won so comfortably despite Flacco completing only 4 passes for a total of 34 yards.
The Colts will be a different prospect, and you have to expect that they’ll be able to score points.

The teams met earlier this season, where the Colts scraped a narrow win. In 2008, they dominated them 31-3, and in 2007 it was 44-20 so that puts some pressure on the Ravens. Whilst resting some key players, the Colts have shown that they’re lacking in depth in certain areas and will need their four-time MVP to show up. I think he will, and I think the rest of the team will too. I can’t see the Ravens getting away without a passing game, they won’t be able to rack up the yards they did last week and the Colts. Despite their post-season woes of the last two years, they’ll get it done here. I suspect the dreaded Chargers will be coming to town the week after…

C – This will be a tough game, and a close game. We’re going into this match on a roll and high on confidence after brushing aside the Pats last week. Like Andrew said though, we need to mix it up more this week. Flacco needs to get his arm in check and throw some passes, because if the Colts know we’re running the ball all the time we won’t get the same numbers as last week. What kind of fan would i be if i didn’t say this?…. Ravens win!

G – I think Craig has the old fan specs on there. While it would be great to have one of our teams make the Super Bowl, I think the last of them will exit this week. While the Ravens did bury the Pats last week, the Colts will be a big step up in class. Sorry Craig – Colts win.

Official MAC Prediction: ind_logo-50x50

New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers
A – As I’ve said all season: There aren’t many teams I’ll pick over the Chargers. After some early-season stutters, they’ve really emerged on the back of the passing game. Which shifts all eyes nicely onto Darelle Revis, the premier corner in the National Football League right now. But if the Chargers need to chase the game, they’ll be able to. Though I think we’ll see more than a casual go at a running game.
But the Jets’ defence cannot be taken lightly: 3rd overall, and 1st against the run. The Chargers will need to be at the top of their game.

For the Jets… I still think they’re lucky to be where they are right now, but they have played well when it’s really mattered and I can’t take that away from them. But I fancy the Chargers here.

C – Another game i see being close. Definitely tough to call. The Chargers have had a break which could go against them. The Jets played very well all round last week and will run head first into this game. Expect a battle. I think the Chargers have been fantastic this season, but if the Jets run and play hard like last week i have to feel they could scrape a win. That’s an IF though. Other than that, Chargers to win.

G – This could be the upset of the week. The Jets have it within them to win this and they have got better as the season has gone on. The defence is strong and the running game is class. However, the Chargers are tough to beat and unless they make some slip ups then they should come out on tops. Chargers win.

Official MAC Prediction: sd_logo-50x50

In the NFC

Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints
A –

“I don’t ever want to face him again in my life. I am dead serious. I’ll face Drew Brees any day of the week before I face him again” — Antrel Rolle (apparently or perhaps not) on Aaron Rodgers

Well Antrel, you get your wish this week. And it’s hard to imagine that the Saints or the Cardinals will be in the sort of form that the Cards and Packers were this weekend as they produced an amazing game of football. However it’s left the real probability that the Cards will be burned out. Alternatively, since the Saints are statistically worse defensively than the Packers, the Cardinals might feel that if they can beat those free-scoring Packers in a shootout, then can beat anyone. Momentum is a funny thing.

Speaking of momentum. The Saints won’t have won a game for over a month when they take the field this weekend. There are arguments every year about how to finish a regular season once you’ve made the playoffs and it remains to be seen if the Saints can turn it back on after the bye-week and three consecutive losses. As we said earlier in the years, the Saints have been lucky when they haven’t been good and that counts for a lot.

But I hate to predict this game. I really hate it. This is two teams that could put on a classic, or could easily go the other way and be a mistake-filled mess. But here we go: All season I’ve been saying the Cards won’t do as well but I’m starting to be won over, so I’m picking them here.

C – Wow. An amazing game last week for the Cardinals. The irony of a defensive play winning the game in overtime is not lost on me. This is a new week though and a fresh game. Saying that, i still expect a high scoring game. Defensively both teams are a bit suspect, one of them will need to step up without doubt. When it comes down to it though, i’m eating my words from last week about the Cards not standing a chance and going for an Arizona win. They just have a better all round game.

G – Arizona’s defence are just too weak. It is not beyond the Saints to put up big numbers just like the Packers did last week, only this time there will be a defence better able to back it up. I would really love to see the Cards get through this round, but I just don’t see it this week.

Official MAC Prediction: ari_logo-50x50

Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings
A – None of the games so far have been easy to call, and this one continues that trend. The Cowboys have hit form at the right time after several seasons of December blowouts and although the Vikings lost 3 of their last 5 games they were in control of the division by that stage.

With these two top 10 defensive and offensive units, it’s going to come down to which team can make the most happen on the night. On paper, this would favour the VIkings but I like what the Cowboys are doing and they have the momentum coming into this game of a team that’s won four in a row, including back-to-back shutouts and a feeling that this could be their year.

So I hate doing this, but I’m picking the Cowboys.

C – The last game of an amazing play off line-up. The Cowboys look very good as of late and i expect that to continue. Especially if they utilise Felix Jones like they did last week. The Vikings have struggled recently, so a weeks rest with either help them focus or just make things worse. Everyone knows momentum makes a hell’uv a difference, especially at this stage of the season. Let’s go for a Cowboys win.

G – A tough one to call. At first glance I am tempted to pick the Vikings, but the Cowboys form has been spot on recently and last weeks win will have filled them with fire. I have to agree with the guys here and pick the Cowboys.

Official MAC Prediction: dal_logo-50x50

Image Credit: ifixfones1