LestersLegends.com » NFL Divisional Playoffs


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Here are the Lester’s Legends tight end rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
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1.  Rob Gronkowski vs. Denver Broncos:  Just got finished having the best season a tight end has even had in NFL history.
2.  Jimmy Graham @ San Francisco 49ers:  Graham is darn close to Gronk, and that is saying a ton. Almost always leads the Saints in targets. When Brees is looking for you that frequently, particularly in the red zone, you’re a great bet.
3.  Aaron Hernandez vs.  Denver Broncos:  Picked apart Denver for nine catches for 129 yards and a score last time. With as much attention as Gronk and Welker get, Hernandez could be the poison that Denver picks.
4. Vernon Davis vs. New Orleans Saints:  Averaged 81.3 yards in his past three games. The Niners are going to have to air it out more than usual against the Saints.
5.   Jermichael Finley @ New York Giants:  His speed and size make him a tough cover.
6.  Jake Ballard vs. Green Bay Packers:  He didn’t do much (two catches, 16 yards), but he’s healthy. He had three catches for 47 yards in the first meeting with Green Bay.
7.  Ed Dickson vs. Houston:  Just a hunch, but Dennis Pitta was the guy in Week 17 so it’s Dickson’s turn.
8.  Joel Dreessen @ Baltimore:  With Owen Daniels suffering a broken hand last week I would roll with Dreessen given the choice between the Texans’ TEs. I don’t really like either as Joel didn’t catch a pass last week.
9.  Daniel Fells @ New England:  Had 57 yards last week, but is not a huge part of the game plan other than blocking.
10.  Owen Daniels @ Baltimore:  He’s going to try to play through the broken hand, but that concerns me too much to even consider using Daniels.
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Here are the Lester’s Legends team defense rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
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1.  Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston:  The only match-up of the four that I can see both teams staying under 30 points. I give the Ravens the edge because they are playing at home and have more experience. The Ravens ranked third in yards (288.9) and points (16.6) allowed per game.
2.  Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens:  Houston is no pushover on defense either. They ranked second in yards (285.7) and fourth in points (17.4) allowed.
3. New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos: Tebow is coming off a brilliant game, but the Broncos have the lowest scoring offense (19.3 pgg) of the remaining teams. Belichick saw Tebow once so look for a better game plan this time.
4. New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers: The Niners racked up the least amount of yards (310.9 ypg) of any of the playoffs teams. If their defense can’t slow up Drew Brees they could be forced out of their comfort zone.
5. Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants: Eli is playing unbelievable football right now, and he isn’t afraid to play on the road. It’s a coin toss between the Packers’ D and the Giants’ D, but I’ll give the Pack the edge because they are playing at home and they force so many turnovers.
6. New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers: I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants pulled off the upset. They are as hot as anyone right now. Their defensive line is a force to be reckoned with. Ultimately I think Rodgers will end up picking their secondary apart.
7. San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints: I love the Niners’ defense, but not this week. The Saints are on a roll and I just don’t think they can be slowed down. This is a battle of the second-highest scoring team against the second-lowest scoring allowed team. I think the irresistible force overtakes the immovable object in this one.
8. Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots: The Broncos have a rock solid defense and they have the ingredient (pass rush) that presents the biggest challenge to New England. In the end, I think Brady’s methodical style will be too much. You simply can’t slow down Welker, Gronk, and Hernandez.
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Here are the Lester’s Legends kicker rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
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1.  David Akers vs. New Orleans Saints:  Set the NFL record with 44 FGs. Had 19 more points than the next kicker. The Saints allowed 27 FGs this year.
2.  John Kasay @ San Francisco 49ers:  Kasay is that next kicker with 147 points (28 FGs, 63 PATs). The Niners allowed just 22 FGs, but the Saints are a lock to put points on the board.
3.  Mason Crosby vs. New York Giants:  Ranked fourth in scoring behind 24 FGs and 68 PATs. The Giants allowed 25 FGs. This one figures to be a pretty high-scoring affair.
4.  Stephen Gostkowski vs. Denver Broncos:  Ranked third in scoring behind 28 FGs and 59 PATs. The Broncos allowed more FGs (32) than any other playoff team. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots put 30+ points on the board.
5.  Neil Rackers @ Baltimore Ravens:  Can you see a trend here? Rackers finished tied for fifth in scoring behind 32 FGs and 39 PATs. The Ravens allowed 28 FGs. I think this game will be the lowest scoring of the weekend, but there could be more FGs in this one than the other games.
6.  Billy Cundiff vs. Houston Texans: Cundiff finished 11th (28 FGs, 38 PATs) in scoring despite dealing with a calf injury. The Texans allowed 30 FGs.
7.  Lawrence Tynes @ Green Bay Packers:  Tynes ranked just 24th with 100 points (19 FGs, 43 PATs). The Packers allowed just 22 FGs.
8.  Matt Prater @ New England Patriots:  Prater ranked 30th among kickers with just 87 points (19 FGs, 30 PATs). The Pats allowed the second fewest FGs (20) in the league.
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Here are the Lester’s Legends wide receiver rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
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1. Hakeem Nicks @ Green Bay Packers: Nicks is healthy and it’s showing. He torched Atlanta for 115 yards and two scores and he’ll be active against the Packers.
2. Marques Colston @ San Francisco 49ers: Colston has been red hot averaging 108.4 yards and a TD in his past five games.
3. Jordy Nelson vs. New York Giants: Jordy has six TDs in his past four games. With 15 TDs on the year, he’s a dangerous weapon.
4. Wes Welker vs. Denver Broncos: Was quiet in the first meeting (four catches, 41 yards), but we all know what he’s capable of.
5. Victor Cruz @ Green Bay Packers: Only catch two passes for 28 yards last week, but had seven catches for 119 yards in the first meeting with the Packers. I expect we’ll hear from him in this one.
6. Demaryius Thomas @ New England Patriots: Thomas went off last week, joining Calvin Johnson in the 200-yard club. He had seven catches for 116 yards in the first meeting with New England. Tebow will likely have to open things up again.
7. Andre Johnson @ Baltimore Ravens: Did he do enough last week to ease my fears? With 90 yards and a TD I’d say yeah.
8. Michael Crabtree vs. New Orleans Saints: Averaged 77.0 yards in his past seven games.
9. Greg Jennings vs. New York Giants: Jennings has been out since Week 14, making him a bit risky, but he’s dangerous if healthy. He had 94 yards and a score in the first meeting with the Giants.
10. Mario Manningham @ Green Bay Packers: I think Cruz eats into Manningham’s production this week, but Manningham remains a solid play.
11. Robert Meachem @ San Francisco 49ers: Exploded for 111 yards and a TD last week. Inconsistent, but the way Brees is playing you can’t count him out.
12. Anquan Boldin vs. Houston Texans: Will his knee allow him to bounce back? Looks like it, but I wouldn’t rush to trust him.
13. Eddie Royal @ New England Patriots: Has the quickness to exploit New England’s shoddy secondary.
14. Torrey Smith vs. Houston Texans: Boldin’s return should free things up for Smith.
15. Deion Branch vs. Denver Broncos: He is not consistently part of New England’s game plan with Welker, Gronk, and Hernandez seeing most of the looks. Branch knows how to deliver in the playoffs though.
16. Devery Henderson @ San Francisco 49ers: Not a good sign when Brees throws 43 passes and you only get two targets. He did catch them both though, taking one to the house.
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Here are the Lester’s Legends running back rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
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1.  Arian Foster @ Baltimore Ravens:  This is going to be a physical battle. Arian Foster is the best back remaining and he can produce running and catching the ball.
2.  Ray Rice vs. Houston Texans:  Rice is a special back as well. He can get a ton of total yards and has a good nose for the end zone. This game is going to be about running the ball and defense.
3.  Darren Sproles @ San Francisco 49ers:  Sproles is the perfect fit for the Saints offense and it shows each and every week. He’s too quick and powerful to be contained.
4.  Frank Gore vs. New Orleans Saints:  The Niners are going to have to use ball control to slow the Saints. At the end of the day, Alex Smith will have to make some throws, but the Niners will try to rely on Gore and the defense.
5.  Ahmad Bradshaw @ Green Bay Packers:  Brandon Jacobs was the guy last week. This week they’ll need Bradshaw’s more upbeat style.
6.  Willis McGahee @ New England Patriots:  He was barely used last time.  The Pats’ offense could easily make that the case again this week.
7.  Ryan Grant vs. New York Giants:  The Pack will look for a balanced attack to keep the G-Men honest. Grant closed the season strong averaging 101.3 total yards in his last four games.
8.  Brandon Jacobs @ Green Bay Packers:  He was solid in the first meeting with eight carries for 59 yards and a score. Bradshaw will be the feature back, but Jacobs will definitely play a big role.
9.  Stevan Ridley vs. Denver Broncos:  Averaged 70 yards in his last three games. The Patriots back most likely to succeed.
10.  Pierre Thomas @ San Francisco 49ers:  Hard to roll with a backup RB, especially against a team that doesn’t give up many rushing TDs (three on the year).
11.  BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs. Denver Broncos:  It’s always a tough call to know which Patriots RB will have the best game. The Firm is a risky option.
12.  Ben Tate @ Baltimore Ravens:  Definitely second fiddle to Foster, but he is very capable of breaking a big play.
13.  Kendall Hunter vs. New Orleans Saints:  Gore had time to rest. Hunter will only spell him provide Gore stays healthy.
14.  James Starks vs. New York Giants:   He hasn’t played since Christmas so he’s a risk.
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Here are the Lester’s Legends quarterback rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
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1. Drew Brees @ San Francisco 49ers:  Brees is playing out of his mind. Every week he seems to shatter records. Playing on the road will be a challenge, but he’ll be up for it.
2. Aaron Rodgers vs. New York Giants:  Rodgers was nearly flawless this year and should be on fire, but the way the Giants’ defensive line is playing keeps him out of my top slot.
3. Tom Brady vs.  Denver Broncos:  There just doesn’t seem to be a way to stop all of Brady’s weapons. Josh McDaniels was brought on board to make sure the offense isn’t compromised with Bill O’Brien splitting duties with Penn State. Risky move, but Brady and Belichick have what it takes to pull it off. The gamble is definitely worthy of a visit to the Best online sportsbooks.
4.  Eli Manning @ Green Bay Packers:  Eli is an elite quarterback, fantasy or otherwise. The Giants are going to put some pressure on the champs.
5.  Tim Tebow @ New England Patriots:  They meet again. Tebow proved himself all over again in the win over the Steelers. He should put up decent fantasy numbers with his arm and his feet. Just not enough to get the W.
6.  Alex Smith vs. New Orleans Saints:  The Niners defense will slow the Saints, but they will still likely score around 30. Smith is going to have to get Crabtree and Vernon Davis involved to stand a chance.
7.  Joe Flacco vs. Houston Texans:  Flacco has been there before, which keeps him out of the eight spot, but this game will be about Ray Rice.
8.  T.J. Yates @ Baltimore Ravens:  Houston’s recipe will be heavy run once again. Having Andre Johnson does help, but this is going to be a physical game.
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Wild Card Round Results: 
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Regular Season Lock Picks:  28-6 (.824)
Regular Season Total:  176-80 (.688)
Playoffs Picks:  2-2 (.500)
Overall Total:  178-82 (.685)
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NFL Divisional Round Picks:
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New England over Denver
Green Bay over New York Giants
Baltimore over Houston
New Orleans over San Francisco
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