The NFL Divisional Play-offs take place this weekend, with New Orleans Saints favourites to beat San Francisco
Following a thrilling round of wild-card fixtures the NFL heads into the Divisional Playoffs this weekend, starting with the New Orleans Saints travelling to Candlestick Park to take on the San Francisco 49ers (Saints 1/2, 49ers 13/8
Betfred).
The Saints have enjoyed a superb season thanks to the leadership of quarterback Drew Brees, whose record-breaking passing campaign has guided the NFC South side comfortably to this massive encounter against the 49ers.
This season San Francisco have reached the playoffs for the first time since 2002, when they were knocked out of the competition 31-6 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Saints have averaged 467.1 yards in offence per game compared to San Francisco’s 310.9 and that will ultimately be where this game will be won or lost.
The 49ers have worked wonders to get to this stage but this could be the end of the line for the California outfit on Saturday.
Sunday throws up three exciting encounters, the first of which will see a spirited Denver Broncos make the tough trip to the Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots (Broncos 11/2, Patriots 1/9).
Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow was the star of the show on wildcard weekend, as his overtime touchdown pass gave his side a 29-23 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers that will live long in the memory for Denver fans. Tebow will have to raise his game even higher this weekend when he comes up against the imperious Tom Brady, who has enjoyed another impressive season.
Once again this is going to be a tale of two offenses and the fact that the Pats double the Broncos average passing yards per game 317.8 to 152.1 is a telling factor. It would be great for the neutral to see the Broncos cause yet another upset here but it might just be a bridge too far for Tebow and his Denver team-mates.
Sunday will also see the Houston Texans take on the Baltimore Ravens at the M&T Bank Stadium in what should be a tightly-fought contest between two teams that have made great progress this term (Texans 11/4, Ravens 2/7).
The Texans have made the playoffs for the first time in their history and have been playing with no fear under the guidance of rookie quarterback T.J.Yates, whose infectious desire has spread to his team-mates.
As for the Ravens they topped the AFC North Division ahead of the Steelers with a fine 12-4 record in the regular season and will be a tough prospect on home turf.
Houston have nothing really to lose as they continue their maiden journey into the playoffs and if there is going to be an upset this weekend, it may well come here against Baltimore.
There are fewer tougher places to go in the NFL than Lambeau Field in January but that’s where the New York Giants will head on Sunday when they face the Green Bay Packers (Giants 3/1, Packers 1/4).
The Giants have battled hard all season and saw off challenges from the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles to top the NFC East Division. Quarterback Eli Manning is set to come up against Aaron Rodgers in what will be an intriguing contest between the two talented playmakers.
This is arguably the tie of the playoffs to watch but with their experience of winning the Super Bowl last season, you have to fancy Green Bay to send the Giants packing.
