The Serby crystal ball, which first foresaw McGovern over Nixon, has been returned from the crystal ball shop polished and waxed and rebooted. It is ready to work its magic predicting the NFL playoffs, round by round, from the start of the wild-card games Saturday to Super Bowl XLVIII Feb. 2 at MetLife Stadium.
Wild-Card Round
Saturday
KANSAS CITY at INDIANAPOLIS: I’d like Andrew Luck’s chances a lot better if he had Reggie Wayne at his disposal to help T.Y. Hilton. But there will be no Sucking by Luck. Donald Brown is a better option on the ground than Trent Richardson because Dontari Poe clogs up the interior. The game won’t be too big for Alex Smith, especially with Jamaal Charles such a dual threat. He’ll get a lucky break if CB Vontae Davis (groin) can’t play. If Luck can hang around, he’s always capable of winning it in the fourth quarter. He’ll be under siege by a ferocious pass rush. Ryan Succop misses another big kick as officials miss Colts alignment. Robert Mathis keys a Chuck Pagano defense that has 11 sacks and eight turnovers during three-game winning streak. This is Luck’s moment, his first playoff victory.
Colts 23, Chiefs 20
NEW ORLEANS at PHILADELPHIA: Chip Kelly versus Rob Ryan. Rob Ryan versus Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy. Drew Brees versus Foles. Sean Payton is dangerous in a spot like this. You know he’ll be playing the we-can’t-win-away-from-the-Superdome card. And if Mychal Kendricks struggled with Jason Witten, Jimmy Graham is the last tight end you’d want to face next. A Madden video game featuring McCoy as the best player on the field. Trent Cole will bring the heat on Brees. The Linc is a House of Horrors again, and the Saints are anything but Road Warriors.
Eagles 34, Saints 31
Sunday
SAN DIEGO at CINCINNATI: A rematch of the 1982 AFC Championship game, a.k.a Freezer Bowl, won by the Bengals, when it was 37 below zero and former colleague Peter Finney Jr. and I nearly froze to death waiting for a cab back to our hotel. Philip Rivers gives the Bolts a real puncher’s chance, especially if Andy Dalton feels the pressure of winning a playoff game with expectations so high. Dalton has beaten Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger at home where the Bengals finished unbeaten, but he’s guilty until proven innocent. Keenan Allen and A.J. Green will both enjoy 100-yard games, but Gio Bernard and Benjarvus Green-Ellis will have more success running against the Chargers defense than Ryan Mathews will against Vontaze Burfict and the Bengals defense. Mike Zimmer’s charges have scored five defensive touchdowns in the last five games at Paul Brown Stadium. Make it six in the last six. Succop FG miss might have Bolts feeling like Team of Destiny. They’re not. They’re simply destined to lose to a team that has been building to this moment since Hard Knocks.
Bengals 31, Chargers 21
SAN FRANCISCO at GREEN BAY:
Aaron Rodgers presents a clear and present danger to Jim Harbaugh’s designs on another NFC Championship, but he won’t be facing the Bears defense. Kaepernick has had more time to regain his chemistry and timing with Michael Crabtree than A-Rod has had with Randall Cobb. And Eddie Lacy won’t relish running into Justin Smith, Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. Rodgers will have Aldon Smith in his face; Kaepernick won’t have old nemesis Clay Matthews (thumb) in his. Smith needs to bring the heat if CB Carlos Rogers (hamstring) can’t go and is replaced by Tarell Brown. Anquan Boldin will catch his fourth TD pass in his last six playoff games. Harbaugh, 17-7 on the road, pooh poohs 19-degree forecast. Niners’ physicality prevails.
Niners 27, Packers 23
Divisional Round
AFC
CINCINNATI at NEW ENGLAND: Even with Geno Atkins and Leon Hall, Zimmer would have had problems with Tom Brady and Shane Vereen. And Brady and Julian Edelman. Dre Kirkpatrick may have gotten a pick-six against Joe Flacco, but he won’t get one against Brady. Neither will Terence Newman. Do you trust Dalton on the road against Bill Belichick? Didn’t think so.
Patriots 27, Bengals 17
INDIANAPOLIS at DENVER: Luck versus the legend he succeeded. Wes Welker returns, so it’s anyone’s guess who benefits most, Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker or Julius Thomas. Luck’s short passing game and a resurgent Richardson keep the ball away from Peyton, but not long enough.
Broncos 31, Colts 23
NFC
SAN FRANCISCO at SEATTLE: A vicious, violent brass knucklefest. Tough sledding for Marshawn Lynch and Frank Gore. Added rest, 12th Man and the smarts and poise of Russell Wilson will be the difference. Percy Harvin’s return gives the Niners something to worry about, even if he’ll be more of a decoy. The postgame handshake between Harbaugh and Pete Carroll will provide some drama.
Seahawks 27, 49ers 21
PHILADELPHIA at CAROLINA: Cam Newton’s long-awaited first playoff game, and Luke Kuechly sings “Me and My Shadow” with McCoy. That allows Greg Hardy (15 sacks) and the Panthers pass rushers (60 sacks) to hunt, with Foles the prey. Billy Davis spies Cam, which opens up opportunities for TE Greg Olsen. I’m assuming Steve Smith (knee) is close to 100 percent.
Panthers 27, Eagles 24
Championship Games
AFC
NEW ENGLAND at DENVER: Peyton versus Tom, can’t get enough of it. It’s 50 degrees in the first half, and Peyton throws 3 TD passes for a 24-3 lead. A cold front arrives at the start of the third quarter, and Peyton freezes up as Brady brings the Pats back and forces overtime.
Belichick is captured by television cameras holding up a sign blaring 4-8 and flashing it across the field at Peyton, signifying his record in temperatures 32 degrees or below. “Stick it where the sun don’t shine,” Peyton screams at Belichick. His 80-yard TD bomb to Demaryius Thomas against Aqib Talib on the first play from scrimmage in overtime sends him back to the Super Bowl.
Broncos 37, Patriots 31
NFC
CAROLINA at SEATTLE: A throwback game featuring the two stingiest defenses. An NFL trash-talking record could be set between Steve Smith and Richard Sherman. Lynch finds Beast Mode challenging against the Panther beasts, but Wilson outplays Newton, distracted by the 12th Man, and sets up Steven Hauschka for five field goals.
Seahawks 29, Panthers 17
SUPER BOWL XLVIII
SEATTLE vs. DENVER: Shockingly, it is 60 degrees and sunny at noon on Super Sunday at MetLife, but at gametime, a Sharknado develops, ideal for an all-weather team like the Seahawks. With Archie, Olivia and Eli looking on in horror, Peyton throws five interceptions and fails in his second attempt at a second Super Bowl championship, even after a 70-yard field goal by Matt Prater. Carroll, 20 years after being fired by the Jets, is whooping and hollering and going ballistic after being doused with Gatorade. With Von Miller unavailable to rush the passer, Wilson (3 TD passes) is voted MVP.
Seahawks 36, Broncos 31