The 2013 NFL divisional playoff matchups are set for next weekend, after quite and entertaining wildcard weekend which saw the Texans, Packers, Ravens, and Seahawks advance to take of the top-two seeds in each conference who enjoyed Byes.
Let’s look at the NFC first.
On Saturday, the Green Bay Packers got quick revenge on a Minnesota Vikings team that defeated them in Week 17 to get into the postseason. That playoff run was short lived, as the Vikings came into frigid Lambeau Field on Saturday night without starting quarterback Christian Ponder and lost 24-10. And while Ponder isn’t known for his ability to throw the ball, it was certainly evident that Joe Webb and Minnesota were simply overmatched without him. It’s hard to say that the Vikings would have won with him in the lineup, but we know the result without him. The Packers’ win sets up a trip out west to San Francisco to take on the No.2 seed 49ers this upcoming weekend, in what will certainly be a highly anticipated match up.
The other NFC divisional playoff game this weekend will also be one to talk about. The Seattle Seahawks went on the road and beat the Washington Redskins to advance. The Seahawks will pay a visit to the Georgia Dome where the No.1 seed Atlanta Falcons await. The Falcons are hoping to erase bad memories in the postseason lately. Quarterback Matt Ryan had his best season in 2012, being elected to the Pro Bowl. However, an 0-3 record in the playoffs continues to pick at him. That will certainly be a storyline coming into this one.
Out in the AFC, it started on Saturday afternoon when the Houston Texans outlasted the Cincinnati Bengals in a hard-fought defensive battle. The Texans probably didn’t think they were going to have to play on wildcard weekend a few weeks ago, sitting at 11-1 on the season. But three losses in four games to close out dropped them to the No.3 seed in the AFC, and forced them to have to earn their way into the Divisional round. Their reward is a trip up north to Foxborough to pay Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
If you can call that a reward.
The Texans and Patriots will have some great stories and angles in that one to analyze, and looks like it has the makings for an offensive blockbuster. Only time will tell though.
Finally, we have the Baltimore Ravens defeating the surprise Indianapolis Colts to end Andrew Luck’s improbable rookie season run. The Ravens will go on the road to take on Peyton Manning and the top-seed Denver Broncos this weekend. The Broncos remain the favorites on Super Bowl XLVII Betting odds through the weekendRay Lewis returned to the lineup, and will get to play at least one more game in his storied career. Baltimore played inspired football on Sunday, and if they can bring that kind of intensity and emotion, they are a real threat to knock off the Broncos on the road to get back to a second-straight AFC Championship game.