NFL Playoff Previews Divisional Round

My Keys to the 49ers/Packers game Saturday...

1. Will the Pack protect Aaron Rodgers? SF has the rush to get there and GB has lacked a firm pocket most of the year. If they can then we all know what Rodgers will do.

2. Can either team make a FG? I hear Cundiff is kicking rather than Akers. Personally I'd just stick with Akers if it was between the two but Crosby's been miserable as well.

3. Kaepernick making plays...if he can extend drives via the air or ground SF wins. Minnesota would've made it interesting the other day if Webb could have converted 3rd downs.

My Keys to the Seahawks/Falcons game Sunday...

1. A Seahawk pass rush without Chris Clemons...Matt Ryan needs to be pressured or else that will help him in his mission to breakdown Seattle's elite secondary. Can rookie Bruce Irvin, much maligned on draft day but has produced, make up the difference without Clemons?

2. Atlanta's rush D...fantasy wise I always wanted my backs playing Atlanta because unlike most defenses they are stronger vs the pass. A couple years ago they were destroyed by the Packers pass game so I'm guessing that's why Atlanta has bolstered their pass D, but vs Seattle if they can't stop Lynch the game should be decided.

3. A fast Seattle start...unlike a couple days ago I don't believe Seattle can come from behind at Atlanta. The dome will be louder than at Washington, the Falcons pass D is better than Washington's, and putting yourself in a whole two straight weeks isn't smart in the NFL.

My keys to the Broncos/Ravens game Saturday...

1. Denver needs to take care of the ball. 13-3 is one thing, but Denver is the only team remaining with a negative turnover ratio. Only one game all year have they went without a turnover...@ Baltimore.

2. Baltimore must run the ball effectively (135+ yards). In the losing effort to Denver, the Ravens posted their 3rd worst rush yards all year. Since then they've averaged nearly 200 yards a game on the ground.

3. Ravens need to stop the run. I know, I know, I'd stop the pass of Manning too, but in their loss to Denver Manning only threw for 187 yards, but the Broncos ran for 163. Pretty simple for Baltimore, stop the run, and run the ball this weekend. Easier said than done.

My Keys to the Texans/Patriots game Sunday...

1. Arian Foster needs to double the rush yards for Stevan Ridley. In New England's blowout win vs Houston Ridley won the rush matchup 72-46 vs Foster. Obviously that can't happen. In fact I believe Foster needs to double up Ridley's numbers.

2. New England can't turn the ball over. Basic here I know, but in the Patriots last loss to SF they had 4 turnovers. Impossible to win with that statistic. Let's face it too, it's difficult to figure out how New England is going to lose here.

3. Matt Schaub doesn't need big numbers just efficiency. The last time New England lost a home playoff game was 2010 vs the Jets. Mark Sanchez, yes you're reading correctly, was 16 of 25 for 194 yards with 3 TDs. Not monster numbers but efficient. In SF's victory of NE this season here were Kaepernick's stats: 14 of 25 for 225 yards and 4 TDs. Not monster but efficient especially in terms of TDs. Schaub needs efficiency but not a ton of attempts or yards.