January 14, 2012 - This year's divisional playoff games feature teams who are all division champions. The last time all division champions played in the divisional round was in 2006.
The New Orleans Saints visit Candlestick Park to play their former NFC West rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. This is their first ever meeting in the playoffs. San Francisco leads the series 45-24-2. New Orleans is 9-2 against the Niners since 1999 and has won the last six games. This is the longest win streak New Orleans ever had over San Francisco. They went to overtime twice, in 1977 and 1980, both won by San Francisco. The last time the Niners beat the Saints at home was 28-27 in 2001. The last time San Francisco shut out New Orleans was 38-0 in 2001. The Saints have never shut out the Niners. Their two ties ended with the same score 20-20, in 1970 and 1972. New Orleans should win, but it will probably not be a blowout.
The New England Patriots host the Denver Broncos in their third ever playoff meeting. Denver won the previous two playoff meetings in 1987 and 2005. The Broncos lead the series 27-17 and is 18-6 against the Patriots since 1979. They only went to overtime once, in 2009, when Denver won 20-17. Neither team has ever shut out the other. History should repeat itself, with New England easily beating Denver, but if Tebow makes good passing decisions and accurate passes, the Broncos could pull off its second consecutive upset.
Tomorrow starts off with the Houston Texans invading M&T Bank Stadium to take on the Baltimore Ravens. Since this is Houston's first ever playoff run, this is also obviously their first ever playoff meeting. Baltimore is undefeated in the series 5-0. Baltimore beat Houston earlier this season 29-14. They went to overtime once, in 2010, and the Ravens won 34-28. There has never been a shutout in the series. Baltimore should win, but if the Texans get their run game in gear early, they could pull off the upset.
The New York Giants go to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. They have met in three pre-Super Bowl NFL Championships and once in the playoffs. Green Bay leads the playoff series 4-2, with all four wins earning them NFL Championships in 1939, 1944, 1961, and 1962. The Giants won one NFL Championship against the Packers in 1938 and their latest playoff meeting in 2008 23-20 in overtime. Green Bay leads the series 31-23-2, but Green Bay is 6-2 against New York since 1995. Their lone overtime game was the previously mentioned playoff game. The last time Green Bay shut out New York was 37-0, their NFL Championship win in 1961. The last time the Giants shut out the Packers was 24-0 in 1944. Their last tie was 24-24 in 1947. Green Bay should dominate the Giants, but if New York can keep Green Bay's offense off the field, they could win instead. This is a long shot Upset Special.
On This Day
In 1968, the Packers played the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II. Green Bay dominated the Raiders 33-14. Bart Starr won his second consecutive Super Bowl MVP honor. Both teams' destinies changed after that game. Green Bay only had four winning seasons from 1968-88 and won their next playoff game in the strike shortened season of 1982. Oakland became one of the dominant teams of the 1970's and 1980's, including three Super Bowl wins during that two decade span.
In 1973, the Miami Dolphins capped its undefeated season by winning Super Bowl VII over the Washington Redskins 14-7. Washington got its only score on the infamous Mike Bass pick six interception of a Garo Yepremian pass. Miami quarterback Bob Griese started for the first time since Week 5 against San Diego, when Deacon Jones and Ron East sacked him and broke his ankle. Earl Morrall started the rest of the season and the playoffs. Strong safety Jake Scott was named the Super Bowl MVP. Scott was the first Dolphin great to wear the number 13. Of course, the other was Dan Marino. In fact, Scott and Marino are the only players to ever wear the number 13 for the Miami Dolphins.
And we have another historical score, today in:
2005 - Denver 27 - New England 13
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