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The NFL Playoffs continue this week for the remaining eight teams in the race for a championship, and we'll have the first two of those games today.
The AFC will get things started this afternoon, as the early game for Saturday will see Ray Lewis. . .he's retiring after this season, you know. . .lead his team into the Mile High City to take on the Denver Broncos, led by that Peyton Manning fellow. The Broncos are a heavy favorite in this one, as they should be as the AFC's top seed. Interesting to note, however, that Peyton Manning is 0-3 in playoff games where the temperature is 40 degrees or less. . .and the mercury in Denver today isn't forecast to rise above 20. We'll see if that holds today. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM Central time from Denver, with coverage provided by CBS.
The nightcap will shift the focus to the NFC, as the Green Bay Packers travel to the west coast to take on the San Francisco 49ers in a re-match from Week 1 of the NFL season. The Niners are 3-1 against the NFC North this season. . .we all know who that "1" came courtesy of. . .and I think I speak for most of us when I say that hopefully they can run that mark to 4-1 this evening. This game is a toss-up, according to the pundits in Vegas, and could end up being the best game of the weekend. This one will kick off on FOX at 7 PM Central time.
Consider this your open thread for this afternoon's playoff proceedings. Below you'll find some recommended reading to pass the time leading up to this afternoon's action.
AFC Divisional round: Ravens vs. Broncos
SB Nation blog: Baltimore Beatdown | Mile High Report
Game Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 12, 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
TV Schedule: CBS
NFL odds: Broncos -9.5
NFL picks: Broncos, 30-20
NFC Divisional round: Packers vs. 49ers
SB Nation blog: Acme Packing Company | Niners Nation
Game Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 12, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
TV Schedule: FOX
NFL odds: 49ers -3
NFL picks: Packers, 30-27
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More reading:
Mile High Report: The Broncos historical run
Baltimore Beatdown: Predicting the Ravens to lose