The staff at theScore put on their prognosticator hats and made predictions for each of the Divisional Round playoff games, highlighting reasons for their choices. The pickers are Gino Bottero, Caitlyn Holroyd, Joe Thomson and Dan Wilkins.
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
Bottero: Few teams give the Patriots the kind of trouble the Ravens do. Since 2000, the Patriots are 1-2 in postseason home games against the Ravens and 11-1 in postseason home games against all other opponents. Justin Tucker helps Baltimore walk off with a win. Ravens 20, Patriots 17
Holroyd: The Patriots enter the divisional round well-rested and boast a near-perfect record of 7-1 at home. The Ravens proved they're a team that shouldn't be taken lightly after outlasting the AFC North champion Steelers, but with a healthy Rob Gronkowski at his disposal, Tom Brady will be able to lead New England to victory. Patriots 30, Ravens 24
Thomson: The Ravens are flying high after beating up the Steelers on Wild Card Weekend and have a 1-2 record in New England in the playoffs under John Harbaugh. I think they not only cover the seven points but win this by a field goal. Ravens 23, Patriots 20
Wilkins: The Ravens have proven capable of winning in Foxboro, but the Patriots just match up too well to pick against them this time around. Look for Tom Brady and the New England passing game to take control early on, forcing the Ravens to play catch up and put the ball into Joe Flacco's hands. Patriots 27, Ravens 23
Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks
Bottero: Beating an Arizona Cardinals team led by its third-string quarterback at home shouldn't be swaying anyone's opinion of the Panthers. Ryan Lindley is one thing, but the defending champion Seahawks are another. The last team to win its final six regular-season games while allowing fewer than 40 points like the Seahawks did was the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers. Seahawks 26, Panthers 0
Holroyd: The Panthers got some big breaks against the Cardinals, but they won't be as lucky this week against the defending Super Bowl champions. The contest figures to be a close one, though, as the Panthers' defense has held the Seahawks to an average of 13.7 points per game in their last three matchups. Seahawks 13, Panthers 10
Thomson: The Seahawks are healthy and rested. The Panthers got into the divisional round by sloppily beating a Cardinals team fielding a preseason game roster. Seahawks dominate, but will need two defensive/special teams scores to cover the spread. I think that happens. Seahawks 30, Panthers 10
Wilkins: Going into Seattle for a playoff game is no easy task, making Carolina an overwhelming underdog heading in. While the Panthers should keep this game much closer than many think, the offense will have difficulty moving the ball with any consistency against the dominant Seahawks' defense. Seahawks 16, Panthers 13
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers
Bottero: These aren't the same old Cowboys. They could have packed up shop when trailing the Detroit Lions by 13 points in the second half a week ago, but they didn't. Better teams than this Cowboys squad have gone into Lambeau in January and lost, but there's something special going on in Arlington. Cowboys 23, Packers 10
Holroyd: The Packers are 8-0 at home this season and the Cowboys are 8-0 on the road, which means something's got to give. Aaron Rodgers hasn't practiced since re-injuring his calf, and while Green Bay isn't overly concerned about his health, it could prove to be the difference-maker. Cowboys 31, Packers 27
Thomson: The Cowboys and team mascot Chris Christie fly into Green Bay to take on a Packers team that desperately needed the extra week to get quarterback Aaron Rodgers healthy. Dallas will be able to run the ball in this game but Rodgers, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are too much to handle. Packers 35, Cowboys 13
Wilkins: The Cowboys' league-best running game will continue to produce at a high level, but it may not be enough to keep up. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' explosive passing attack should expose the Cowboys' defense for a number of big plays throughout, carrying Green Bay to the win. Packers 38, Cowboys 34
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
Bottero: It will be interesting to see what sort of role the Broncos have planned for Peyton Manning, who showed obvious signs of wear down the stretch. The team's running game is formidable with the emergence of C.J. Anderson, and the defense is solid. One way or the other, Denver advances. Broncos 27, Colts 20
Holroyd: Andrew Luck was virtually unstoppable in the wild-card round, but he will have his work cut out for him this week. The Broncos allowed the ninth-fewest passing yards per game (225) during the regular season and ranked second in rushing defense with 79.8 yards per game. Broncos 34, Colts 24
Thomson: The Colts did not look impressive in their win over the Cincinnati Bengals and cracks began to appear in Manning's golden arm at season's end. The defenses play a big role in this game and since the Broncos have a better shot at limiting Luck's best option, T.Y. Hilton, the Broncos win. Take the under. Broncos 23, Colts 13
Wilkins: While the first-round bye likely helped the Broncos in a number of ways, it's tough to be confident in their chances after some disappointing performances in the second half of the regular season. Andrew Luck outduels Peyton Manning here, making for the lone upset of the divisional round. Colts 34, Broncos 31
