The Packers and lack of a defense and injuries will catch up to them.

Also, I believe in Eli, or something like that...

^^^^^^

Looks like you predict an exciting week. You lack of faith in the 49ers and good defense is disturbing considering your a bears fan.

The 49ers have had a great year, but this is going to be a learning experience for them.  Also, playing good defense isn't allowed anymore.  If you hit someone and it looks like it may have hurt, it's a 15 yard penalty.

  I actually almost picked the Broncos, but then my brain told me not too...

Yeah you are right, it is just like hockey were they are trying to prevent injuries while at the same time watering down the excitement of the game. That is why we went from a league more about rushing that was consistantly putting up 2,000 yard rushers to an almost all passing league. It annoys me a lot even if it creates tons of exciting passing games. I still think though watching the packers is boring watching throw after throw being compleated because gravity cause an accidental arm bumb. 

and no need to be embarrassed if you are below zuvuyeay and his lucky penny,luck can only get you so far,the cat makes the real tough predictions

Not part of the league but for what it's worth my 4 teams that will win this week end are :
- Saints
- Giants
- Broncos
- Ravens

The Giants are dangerous right now, Packers squeeked by them that weak. Eli in the playoffs is beast. Packers should win, but this is the playoffs.

Defense wins championships, 49ers should have this in the bag, either way it is a good game to watch. Great offense vs great defense

The Broncos played one of the most high powered offenses they have shown all season in that first quarter, arguably as good as their offense gets with all those rushing yards and do you know what the score was 16-7. Thats just not enough. The Patriots recognize their run defense deficensies in that game and are making adjustments to fix it.

 Focus on stopping the run: "It was interesting to me today that Bill Belichick had the team out in full pads. He wanted to work on run defense. Setting the edge. 167 rushing yards allowed in the first quarter of that Dec. 18 game between the Patriots and Broncos. He wants those edge setters to be better than they were in that game in the first quarter. That's why he had them out in pads, wanted them to bang a little bit and get that run defense shored up."

With that said though my original point stands, do you see the Broncos running the ball when they start to fall behind. Because what I saw last time was a team that recognized they could not stop Brady from scoring points and once they fell behind became over reliant on Tebows arm.

One last thing to take into account. For the first time in a very long time the Patriots had every single starting lineman back from injury and practicing today. That means the Patriots which already had one of the best Offensive lines in the league just got a significant boost in that department. The only way your going to win this game is to get significant pressure on Brady but thats going to be hard with his trusted guys protecting him.

I did, and I would still take the Saints, Packers, and 49ers before I picked the Giants.

Yes, Pack were having some issues with injuries, but with the bye they will be getting plenty of there starters back. Greg Gennings will be back same with Starks, Clifton, Bulagu, Wells, Pickett, Cobb, clay, and Woodson will all be ready and healthy to play by Sunday. Our Offensive line will be as healthy as they've been all year.