{"id":2017,"date":"2015-01-10T09:12:19","date_gmt":"2015-01-10T14:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2017"},"modified":"2015-01-10T09:12:19","modified_gmt":"2015-01-10T14:12:19","slug":"divisional-weekend-round-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2017","title":{"rendered":"Divisional Weekend – Round 1"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"4<\/a>

4 teams enter, 2 teams leave!<\/p><\/div>\n

I know, I know.\u00a0 You\u2019re still upset about how the refs handed the Cowboys the game last week.\u00a0 So are we, but they don\u2019t play until tomorrow, so The Machine will hold back its disbelief for another day, and instead focus on today\u2019s games.<\/p>\n

Baltimore at New England (-7.5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"How<\/a>

How will the Patriots cheat their way to victory?<\/p><\/div>\n

If you can only watch one game today (we don\u2019t know why you would do that) it would be this game.\u00a0 At first glance, you say the Patriots will roll.\u00a0 The aura of Belichick and Brady, plus Gronk, plus playing at home, should be enough for New England to win.\u00a0 But consider two things:<\/p>\n

One:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Patriots can\u2019t cheat anymore (how many post-Spygate Super Bowls have they won?)<\/p>\n

Two:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joe Flacco.<\/p>\n

Yes, Joe Flacco.\u00a0 Flacco is about as bland a guy as you\u2019ll find.\u00a0 He makes Alex Smith look like a badass.\u00a0 Christ, he went to the University of Delaware.\u00a0 The Fighting Blue Hens.\u00a0 But Joe has quietly put together a solid year, throwing for a career high in yards (3,986) and touchdowns (27).\u00a0 Also, this just in:\u00a0 Joe Flacco is good in the playoffs.\u00a0 Real good.<\/p>\n

In his last 9 playoff games, he\u2019s thrown for 20 tds with only 2 ints.\u00a0 Not surprisingly, the Ravens at 7-2 (with a Super Bowl) over that stretch.<\/p>\n

That said, Brady is no slouch, and the Patriots have Revis Island to shut down Steve Smith.\u00a0 Plus, our conspiracy theory radar is on high \u2013 given last week\u2019s Cowboys game \u2013 which means the NFL will do anything for another Brady\/Manning showdown. \u00a0And, the Ravens have no one to cover Gronk…he will create match-up nightmares all day.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The refs will make sure the “no one touch Tom” rule is in full effect.<\/p><\/div>\n

Speaking of Gronk, here’s our literary recommendation for the week:<\/p>\n

\"Mrs.<\/a>

Mrs. Machine’s book club pick of the week.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Machine thinks this game will be close.\u00a0 The Patriots will likely pull it out, but we like Baltimore with the points.<\/p>\n

Carolina at Seattle (-12)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Chances<\/a>

Chances of snooze fest? Likely.<\/p><\/div>\n

Normally, when a team is a double-digit underdog, it means they\u2019re not good.\u00a0 That theory holds true today as Carolina travels to Seattle.\u00a0 Yes, Carolina looked impressive last week against Arizona and third string QB Ryan Lindley, but they have their work cut out for them as they won\u2019t be facing a JV quarterback.\u00a0 Instead, they\u2019re up against a Seattle team that is peaking at just the right time.<\/p>\n

Seattle has been up and down this year, but there\u2019s no question where they are as of late. \u00a0Seattle’s won 6 games in row (9 of their last 10) and are playing at a championship level.\u00a0 They\u2019re also 7-1 at home.<\/p>\n

The real match-up to watch will be the Carolina run game v. Seattle\u2019s run D.\u00a0 The Panthers lead the league with 172 rushing yards per game\u2026Seattle only allows 81 yards on the ground a game, good for third in the league.\u00a0 If Seattle can shut down the running game, that will force Cam to throw the ball, and he has struggled at that this year.\u00a0 We think the Seattle D is up to the task at handling the Panthers run game.\u00a0 Seattle is very familiar with the read\/option, as their offense uses it often.\u00a0 Thus, Michael Bennet, Cliff Avril and the rest of the line know how to contain the edge, and not overpursue the runner.\u00a0 If they can shut down Carolina\u2019s read option, this game will get out of hand quick.<\/p>\n

Also, The Machine\u2019s calling another epic Beast Mode run.\u00a0 Like this.<\/p>\n