Home field advantage will definitely be a factor this weekend, but I’m expecting one of those three undefeated teams to make a quick exit from the playoff field.
• Carolina at St. Louis
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX
The Carolina Panthers and St. Louis Rams kick off the festivities with what should be an interesting battle. The Panthers have one of the more dominating defenses in the league, but they will be tested on the carpet at Edward Jones Dome against the speedy Rams, who still have one of the league’s more explosive offenses. The Panthers defensive line is great at getting in the backfield and putting pressure on the quarterback, but if the Rams offensive line can give quarterback Marc Bulger enough time to step up in the pocket and throw the ball, he can take advantage of the Panthers mediocre cornerbacks.
The Rams’ biggest problem may be stopping running back Stephen Davis. If they have to bring the safeties up to help against the run, it will force the Rams to use more man coverage. Jake Delhomme and the Panther’s entire offense has started to click of late, and they might be able to connect on a couple big plays if the corners are exposed.
Overall, the Panthers played a great game of football last week against the Cowboys, however, I think they are going to have a tougher time staying with the Rams, in the dome, on Astroturf. The Rams offense is so effective at home, if the Panthers fail to get in Bulger’s face, they’ll have a tough time forcing the Rams to punt. Should the Panthers get to Bulger early, they could get into his head and throw him off his game.
Prediction: I love the Panther’s defense, but I think the Rams offense is going to be too tough to contain at home. Rams 27, Panthers 20
• Tennessee at New England
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET on CBS
The Patriots are the hottest team in football, and it is going to be very tough for any team to go into Foxboro and knock them off. Titans running back Eddie George showed his toughness last week against Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens, but I don’t think he will fare as well against the Patriots defense. New England led the league this season with the fewest points allowed by more than a full point per game. They are playing tremendously right now despite a rash of early-season injuries, and they enter the playoffs having given up just 29 points in their last four games.
On the offensive side, I don’t expect the Pats to move the ball well on the ground, so the pressure is going to fall on quarterback Tom Brady. I think he’ll handle that pressure like he has most of the season and put enough points on the board to stop the Titans.
Prediction: Patriots 24, Titans 20
