2007 NFL Playoff Predictions: Divisional Round
January 6th, 2008 . by ChuckIf you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed to receive instant updates.
UPDATE: CLICK HERE for AFC / NFC Championship predictions
Sportaphile went 3-1 in predictions for the Wildcard round, so read on for some superior football knowledge (…).
This time I’ve brought along Jannelle from The Red Zone, who will be joining in to give her thoughts on who will win in the next round.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers
Chuck Says Green Bay Wins (34-24) Because…
Matt Hassellbeck is cursed at Lambeau Field, do you guys remember him saying “we want the ball and WE’RE GOING TO SCORE!” in his last playoff game in Green Bay?
He said that right before he threw a pick 6 which sent Seattle home. While I incorrectly picked Seattle to lose last week, they won’t have the luxury of the 12th man this week. Favre & Co are vicious in the frozen tundra of Lambeau and won’t be rattled as easily as Todd Collins. Seriously, say these two names to yourself very slowly: Brett Favre………Todd Collins….
Jannelle Says The Seahawks Win Because…
Green Bay is one dimensional. Pass, Pass, Pass! That is not going to get a win against a tough Seattle D. The ‘Hawks are blitz heavy, and Favre is not the best outside of the pocket. Offensively, I look for Hasslebeck to continue his success through the air. Against Washington, he went 20 for 32. Bobby Engram will cut the Packers’ D up! Green Bay allowed 23 passing touchdowns. While the passing game is strong, The Packers should not take Shaun Alexander for granted because he is playing like he has something to prove.
San Diego Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Chuck Says San Diego Wins (38-35) Because…
The Chargers made Peyton Manning their bitch the last time they met up this season, not to mention this very team were the ones to snap Indianapolis’ 13 game winning streak season before last. 
San Diego has always matched up well against Indy because of their athletic defense. Antonio Cromartie is arguably in one of the top defensive backs this season, and doesn’t have to put up with a healthy Marvin Harrison. L.T. stunk it up against the Titans, but I don’t expect him to have two bad weeks in a row.
1/12/08 - Chuck Is changing his pick to Indy, with Antonio Gates on the injured list, there are too many obstacles for SD to overcome
Jannelle Says The Colts win Because…
Indy should win because of their imposing defense. The Colts finished 3rd in the league in total D. They allowed only 262 points all season, haven’t allowed more than 25 points, and held nine teams to 16 points or less. Simply put, Dungy’s ‘Tampa 2′ scheme is still the business. The Colts will make San Diego beat them through the air. It’s going to be hard for the ‘Bolts because Indy’s 22 interceptions finished 2nd in the league. Offensively expect Reggie Wayne to pick up where Marvin Harrison left off. Harrison may play but I doubt that he’ll be a factor. So, it is up to Wayne. Look for Josephi Addai to have a big game as well. The Chargers are seventh in the league this postseason in rush defense. Addai’s 1,072 yards and 12 Tds and 24.1 first down percentage proves that he can still get it done.
New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
Chuck Says Dallas Wins (31-24) Because…
The Cowboys have New Yorks number, they swept them this year and didn’t break much of a sweat doing so. 
The Cowboys only lost two games at home this year, and one happened to be against the Patriots. Romo has been playing great, Marion Barber is running hard all year, and Terrell Owens has had 3 weeks to rest up his sprained ankle. He lit up the Giants for 6 catches 120 yards, and 2 touchdowns the last time they played. New York has a light fast defense, but Dallas has a HUGE offensive line that neutralizes them.
Jannelle Says The Giants Win Because…
I never thought I would say this but Eli Manning is hot right now. Riding the confidence of his performance against NE, Eli picked up where he left off against Tampa. Manning completed 20 of 27 passes, threw for 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. Armani Toomer and Kevin Boss are Eli’s two favorite targets of the moment. Ahmad Bradshaw is coming into his own. With that said, NY’s offense is pretty strong and solid thus far. Defensively, the Giants are a problem. They are 3 rd in the league this postseason in total d. I look for these guys to attack Romo early and often. Not only Romo’s been sacked 24 times this year, he has a nasty habit of being erratic during the first half of play. He threw 13 picks in the first half this year. Look for the G-men to exploit that weakness.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots
Chuck Says Jacksonville Wins (31-28) Because…
The Jags have FINALLY gotten over the hump, teams who win the superbowl always peak going into the playoffs. While New England went undefeated, they were NOT playing their best ball at the end of the year. 
Maurice Jones Drew and Uncle Fred Taylor are the best rushing duo in the playoffs, and New England’s defense is not as good as people make it out to be. The biggest thing they have going for them is experience and character, due to veterans. The only flat out playmaker on defense is Asante Samuel, and up and coming Brandon Marriweather. Willis McGahee exposed them for what they were a few weeks back, a bunch of old men who get tired when you run at them for 4 quarters. Jacksonville’s defeats has all the talent to pressure Tom Brady late in the 4th quarter. UPSET!!!
Jannelle Says The Patriots Win Because…
New England’s weakness may be the red zone defense but their opponents must get to the red zone first. Look for the Patriots to take away the rush early, thus forcing Jacksonville to rely on Garrard’s arm. New England is strong against the pass. They finished the season with 19 Ints, the third most in the league. The Jags will take away Moss for a while but Brady’s can and will go to Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth. Welker had an outstanding year. Finishing with 1,175 yards, 112 grabs and 8 touchdowns. While Stallworth may not have been a factor this season, do not underestimate this guy. Look for him to break out if Moss and Welker are contained.
[...] Comments Sportaphile » 2007 NFL Playoff Predictions: Divisional Round on 2007 NFL Playoff Predictions: Wildcard Round Sportaphile » Saturday NFL Wildcard Round [...]
There’s no way in hell Bobby Engram will cut up the Packer’s D. Charles Woodson and Al Harris are the two best corners in the league and I expect them to make plays against Seattle’s passing game. As for the Packers being one dimensional, Ryan Grant has lead all players in rushing since he took over starting duties midway through the season. And let’s not forget rookie Brandon Jackson who showed his worth by tearing up Detroit’s run defense.
IMO, Woodson is not the Corner he used to be. Detroits Run defense is weak. Seattle’s D looked very strong against the Skins.
@Janelle
green bay has a running back called Ryan grant who nearly broke 1000 yards in just 9 games.
not to mention brandon jackson.
you sure your watching the same teams we are?
@ Ryan.
That may be so but whever I turn on the sports shows, these reporters always make it about Favre. Whenever I see the Pack Play, I always see Favre and his passes. Thats why I said what I said.
Wow@ Grant and Jackson. I’ll look closely at them this weekend.
Oops. Sorry Jason, but I still say that it doesn’t matter if GB is 1 D 2D or 3D, they will loose Sat.
The Seahawks will not win on Saturday. Brett has kept this team grounded all year by telling them they won, but need to get better. There is always something that can be fixed, and the young guys have really bought into it. The Hawks I think are a little too full of themselves, and with the Holmgren factor.. let’s just say that he *really* wants to win in Green Bay, and that may lead to too much agresssion, which will feed the int machine.
Packers win, 28-21
You know, this website is a joke. You got people writing predictions for the games who obviously know little about sports.(Janelle) Saying that the Packers are one dimensional? Have you ever heard of Ryan Grant. Hes averaging over 5 yards a carry, and had close to a thousand yards. By the way he only started 9 games this season. And you also say that old man Engram is going to rip the Packers to shreds? He wouldnt start anywhere in the league but Seattle which has very slim pickens in their receiving core. I will make sure to let everyone i know not to ever visit this site,unless they need a laugh
LOL, u mad?
I guess you missed the first part of the post, Jannelle isn’t on the Sportaphile staff (although we’d love to have her around). But be sure to tell your friends about the site, we don’t mind debating anyone about football. It’s all in fun.
Like I said, there’s no way in hell Bobby Engram can tear up the Packer’s secondary. Granted, he’s a pretty good route runner, and pretty sure handed, but he lacks the speed and overall athleticism to beat Al Harris and Charles Woodson.
Hey William, I dont give 1/4ths of a damn about Ryan Grant. Impressive stats, I will give him that. But it’s going to take at least one more or two more successful seasons to convince me. Great kid but the fact remains that he won’t do shit on Sat. Seattle will blitz the hell out of that backfield, and once again it will be up to Ol’ #4 to save the day.
Seattle may have slim pickins in the receiving corp but I still think one of them will have a big game because to me, Woodson lost a step. If Engram don’t get a wild hair in his ass and have a productive game, it may be Hackett. Hackett had 101 against a decent Wash. secondary. Now, who’s to say that it won’t happen again?
Just because I wrote what I wrote doesn’t mean that I don’t know a thing. I know what I see. I repeat I see a strong and aggressive Seattle D and everytime I see a Packer game which is not often, I see Favre throwing the ball, and it gets pretty redundant after a while.
Let me ask you some questions here. How good is Grant at picking up the blitz? How good is he at recognizing the
different packages? Since you claim that I dont know anything, c’mon enlighten me! Hell, entertain me!
As far as you bringing your friends over to this site. Go ‘head. I’m sure that will warm the cockles of Chuck’s heart to see an increase in traffic!
Hey Dan, you may be right. If you are, I’ll be the 1st to admit that I am wrong. It aint the first time I was wrong in predictions and it sure won’t be the last. Just like it wont be the first nor the last time I was right in my predictions. Its whatever. I love watching football. I have followed it for a long time,and you never stop learning about the game.
To my defense, I’m not very familiar with Seattle. The only thing I know is Engram may not have the speed nor the athleticism, but he’s got enough of savy to garner
94 catches, 1,147 yds and 6 touchdowns. Stunning stats? No Respectable Stats? Yes. What I said may be the wrong choice of words but I dont want to underestimate him nor Hackett.
I’m not really familar with Green Bay either but agian, I’m going by what little I see of them. Like I said to William, I dont see Ryan running when I watch them on O, I see Brett throwing and throwing. I’m interested on knowing the story on Al Harris.
Back to my prediction and statement, I still stand by it. You stand by yours and we just have to agree to disagree and see on Saturday
Green Bay will take the victory this weekend. I admit, Green Bay may lack experience when it comes to playoffs but Holmgren has never won at Lambeau field since he left GB. He will want the game very bad and intense his players but nobody can stand the cold fury of Lambeau like Green Bay does. Grant will have some break out runs but he will not be running like Jacobs for Giants nor Taylor for the Jaguars. Brett will rely on is WR’s since they do have the most yards after catch in the NFL. Think I am lying? Check it yourself. But my predictions are as follows;
Packers over Seahawks 38-24
Patriots over Jaguars 35-21
Colts over Chargers 24-21 (Shaky on that)
Dallas over Giants 24-17 (with TO it will be more)
Jannelle: sounds like you know a bit about the teams seattle and green bay. Picking a team to win on the road in a frigid field like lambo is pretty gutsey on your part. I have a good feeling about your prediction. I live in the state of washington and know they have had some to pull themselves togetherthis year. It’s good they are playing better toward the end of the season than in the beginning to the season. If their defence is like it can be the packers will lose. Seattle has much to prove since 2005 if any one watched that super bowel and is honest you know what Imean. Thanks steve
haha LMAO!! janelle and Ryan grant.. is three touchdowns and 200 plus yards good enough for you? you mustve felt so proud after his two fumbles gave Seattle the lead and then he fucked them over.
lol…….
hey janelle, do you still think greenbay is one dimensional. Maybe you should give up football and go with baseball.
GO PACK
come on janelle,
we are all waiting to hear from you. If your gonna talk smack, than you have to face your crowd after being brutally WRONG!!!!!!!
haha.. janelle has no freaking clue what football is even.
sorry but GB OWNED the seahawks.
I suppose your picking the giants too?
lol