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Several games of interest kickoff the divisional round this weekend, with three of the four divisional games being regular season rematches. We go through each game and make our picks.
Ravens at Broncos (Saturday, 4:30 PM, NBC): These teams met earlier this year in Baltimore on December 16, 2012 with the Broncos taking a commanding lead early in the game, eventually winning 34-17. Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno generated 115 yards rushing with a touchdown while wide receiver Eric Decker added 131 yards receiving, including a 51-yard touchdown grab.
This will be the first game played in Denver between these two teams dating back to October 9, 2006, which the Broncos won 13-3 behind a fourth-quarter Jake Plummer touchdown that sealed the win. It's a unanimous selection.
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Packers at 49ers (Saturday, 8 PM, FOX): Combined the Packers and 49ers are a combined 56-35 in the playoffs in their respective histories. The Packers lead the all-time regular season meetings 30-26-1 with the Packers dominating the series as of late, winning 10 of the past 12 games. Earlier this year the 49ers beat the Packers 30-22 behind Alex Smith's two touchdowns and Frank Gore's 112 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown.
This will be the first time these teams have met in the postseason since January 13, 2002, with Brett Favre and the Packers beating the 49ers 25-15.
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Seahawks at Falcons (Sunday, 1 PM, FOX): The only game this weekend that doesn't offer a regular season rematch, however the Seahawks hosted the Falcons last year with Atlanta exploding with 24 first-half points behind Michael Turner (two touchdowns) and Julio Jones (11 catches, 127 yards receiving).
Seattle features a rookie quarterback in Russell Wilson who generated a record 27 touchdowns (for a rookie) with a 100.0 passer rating -- one of two rookies in NFL history with a 100-plus rating. However they lost defensive end Chris Clemons last week against the Washington Redskins.
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Texans at Patriots (Sunday, 4:30 PM, CBS): It was supposed to be the game with the highest intrigue that week, building up for a memorable Monday Night Football contest between the 11-1 Houston Texans and 9-3 New England Patriots. Instead the Patriots jumped out to a 28-0 lead by the third quarter and the Houston Texans haven't really recovered since.
These teams have only met four times in their respective history with the Patriots leading the regular season series 3-1.
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THE PICKS RECAP
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Mojo
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Ravens at Broncos |
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Packers at 49ers |
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Seahawks at Falcons |
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Texans at Patriots |
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