NFL Divisional Playoff capsules
Ravens (11-6) at
Broncos (13-3)
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver
TV/Radio: CBS/670 AM
Line: Broncos by 9½
Series: Ravens lead 6-4
Last meeting: Broncos 34-17 (Dec. 16, 2012)
Last week: Ravens 24, Colts 9; Broncos bye
Ravens FYI: Won only previous playoff matchup 21-3 in 2000. … Safety Ed Reed has eight career postseason interceptions, tied for fourth most in NFL history. … Against Colts, receiver Anquan Boldin had the most second-half yards (145) since Jerry Rice (157) in 1989. … Running back Ray Rice has averaged 102.7 yards from scrimmage in three regular-season games against Broncos.
Broncos FYI: Sixth team since 1970 to finish season with 11 or more straight victories. … Quarterback Peyton Mannning ranks third all-time in playoff passing yards (5,389). … Manning is 9-10 in postseason games with one Super Bowl title. … Receiver Eric Decker had eight catches for 133 yards including a 51-yard TD in first meeting with Ravens. … Demaryius Thomas led team with 94 receptions for 1,434 yards and 10 TDs.
SVM pick: Broncos 24-17
Texans (13-4) at
Patriots (12-4)
When: 3:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
TV/Radio: CBS/670 AM
Line: Patriots by 9½
Series: Patriots 3-1
Last meeting: Patriots 42-14 (Dec. 10, 2012)
Last week: Texans 19, Bengals 13; Patriots bye
Texans FYI: Outgained Bengals 420 yards to 198 in wild-card game, but only managed 19 points. … Running back Arian Foster’s 425 yards are most in first three playoff games by any player in NFL history. … Quarterback Matt Schaub has thrown one touchdown pass and four interceptions in last five games. … Receiver Andrew Johnson led AFC with 1,598 yards on 112 catches. … Defensive end J.J. Watt led NFL with 20½ sacks.
Patriots FYI: Quarterback Tom Brady needs one win to break tie with Joe Montana for most victories in postseason by a quarterback. It would be Brady’s 17th. … Brady is 6-6 in last 12 playoff games after starting 10-0. … Coach Bill Belichick’s next postseason win will be his 17th, moving him into third place ahead of Joe Gibbs. Tom Landry has 20 and Don Shula 19.
SVM pick: Patriots 32-20
Packers (12-5) at
49ers (11-4-1)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Candlestick Park, San Francisco
TV/Radio: FOX/670 AM
Line: 49ers by 3
Series: Packers 34-27-1
Last meeting: 49ers 30-22 (Sept. 9, 2012)
Last week: Packers 24, Vikings 10; 49ers bye
Packers FYI: Have won four of five previous meetings against 49ers in playoffs, including two of three at Candlestick. … Only NFC team to reach divisional playoffs in each of last 3 years. … Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has 110-plus passer rating in four of his seven career postseason starts. … Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interceptions in five games, 177 passes. … Receiver Greg Jennings has 19 receptions for 226 yards and three TDs in last three games. … Went 4-4 away from home this season.
49ers FYI: Defense allowed only 36 drives to reach red zone all year, tops in NFL. … Tight end Vernon Davis has 16 catches for 351 yards and 4 TDs in four career games against Packers. … Running back Frank Gore rushed for 112 yards and a TD in season-opening win over Green Bay. … Linebacker Aldon Smith went final three games without a sack to finish with 19½.
SVM pick: 49ers 20-17
Seahawks (12-5) at
Falcons (13-3)
When: Noon Sunday
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
TV/Radio: FOX/670 AM
Line: Falcons by 2½
Series: Seahawks 8-5
Last meeting: Falcons 30-28 (Oct. 2, 2011)
Last week: Seahawks 24, Redskins 14; Falcons bye
Seahawks FYI: Coach Pete Carroll is 0-3 against Falcons. … Overcame a 14-point deficit in last week’s win over Redskins. … Running back Marshawn Lynch tied franchise record with 132 yards against Redskins. … Receivers Sidney Rice and Golden Tate share team lead with seven TDs. Rice had 52-yard TD against Falcons last year. … Led NFL with fewest points (245) and TDs (25) allowed in regular season. … Cornerback Richard Sherman tied for second in NFL with eight interceptions.
Falcons FYI: Have won last three meetings with Seahawks. … With Mike Smith as coach and Matt Ryan as quarterback, team is 0-3 in playoffs. … Ryan’s 56 regular-season wins as starter are most by any quarterback in first five seasons. … Ryan set franchise records with 4,719 passing yards, 32 TDs, 422 completions, 615 attempts and 68.6 completion percentage. … Running back Michael Turner’s 800 yards set low since joining team in 2008.
SVM pick: Seahawks 30-28
