Sean’s Picks, 2014 Divisional Playoffs

Sean Kennedy

New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks

First up is the Saints at the Seahawks. Seattle dominated at home and has demonstrated it all season. They gave the Saints a pretty bad beating in Week 13 and have only lost once at home this year.

Expect a one-sided beating that will send the Saints packing because the combination of Seattle’s solid defense and dominant offense will have the Saints on their backs for most of the game.

Sean’s Pick: Seahawks beat Saints, 35-14.

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

Next up are the Colts at the Patriots. New England is a very tough team to beat. They are undefeated at home and the offense put up more than 30 points in the final two games of the season. This team has a lot of playoff experience compared to this young Colts team.

On the other hand, the Colts have been winning close games a lot this season, including last week’s thrilling 45-44 win over the Chiefs. They are determined to make a deep playoff run but I think that a well-rested New England team will be ready and will edge out the Colts.

Sean’s Pick: Patriots beat Colts, 38-30.

San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers

Next we have the 49ers at the Panthers. This will mot likely be the most entertaining game of the day as two decent offenses go against great defenses. Both offenses and defenses are nearly equal in every statistical category.

The 49ers are coming off a close 23-20 victory over the Packers last weekend and have a great 6-2 road record. Expect this game to come down to the wire as one team will need a last minute, game-winning drive to advance.

Sean’s Pick: 49ers beat Panthers, 23-17.

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

Last, but not least, we have the Chargers versus the Broncos. San Diego has proven to be a tough opponent. They destroyed the Bengals last week and looked like a far better team than they did in the beginning of the season. Great offense and a punishing defense make this team a dual threat.

On the other side you have a dominant Broncos team that has broken pretty much every offensive record in the books this year. That said, the Chargers beat them in Week 15 and held them to their lowest point total of the season. That Broncos defense will really have to step up to support Manning and to keep the Chargers off their heels. I don’t expect this to be a close game but I will give the edge to the Broncos.

Sean’s Pick: Broncos beat Chargers, 37-28.