The NFL playoffs have reached the divisional round, with today?s action featuring two matchups: Broncos vs. Ravens and Packers vs. 49ers. Track all the action on Sporting News? live scoreboard, as the day has kicked off in Denver, where game time temperature is in the teens. The 49ers-Packers game is on at 8 p.m. ET.
To gear you up for what may be the best week in pro football, given the number of top-flight teams playing, Sporting News has been at it all week, finding the story lines that matter.
SN's playoff picks | Linemakers: Betting info on all four games | All-Pro team announced
TODAY?S GAMES
AFC: Broncos vs. Ravens, in progress, CBS (live box score).
THIRD QUARTER
He did it again. Trindon Holliday, after taking a punt 90 yards for a touchdown at the start of the game, took the opening kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown. We know that this Peyton Manning fella is special, but how about this 5-5, 169-pound special teams monster? That gave Denver a 28-21 lead.
The Ravens responded with a quality drive into Broncos territory, but it was derailed by a fumbled center snap and recovered by Denver. Flacco was going to recover the snap, but the ball was kicked by a Ravens receiver in motion, pushing it away from Flacco.
Much of the rest of the quarter has been dominated by good defense, with neither team unable to get much yardage. But the Ravens made a huge play with 2:47 left in the quarter, forcing a Manning fumble and recovering on the Broncos 37-yard line. It was a bit controversial, as the "tuck rule" could have been called, but the officials apparently saw the ball coming loose from Manning's hand as he brought the ball down. Big play for the Ravens, who scored five plays later to tie the game at 28.
SECOND QUARTER
To start the second quarter, Joe Flacco threw another long bomb to Torrey Smith deep down the right sideline and near the Broncos' goal line, but the pass was broken up by Champ Bailey, forcing the Ravens to punt. Interestingly, the Ravens are routinely challenging Bailey deep.
The Broncos scored the first points of the quarter on Knowshon Moreno's 14-yard hitch-and-go route with 7:26 left in the quarter to earn a 21-14 lead.
The Broncos had a chance to get a two-score lead on Baltimore late in the first half after going on a five-plus minute drive, but it end on a shanked field-goal attempt by Matt Prater that gave the Ravens the ball back with 1:16 remaining. Baltimore quickly marched 58 yards for the game-tying score, capped by another big play by Smith, who leaped to grab a 32-yard touchdown pass. Bailey was excellent in coverage, but got beat by Smith's ability to adjust to the throw and walk into the end zone. Bailey's momentum carried him through the end zone, so he could offer no resistance.
Two things come to mind thus far: The Ravens' offensive line has done an incredible job of keeping Flacco upright. Conversely, where is the Broncos' pass rush that produced a league-leading 52 sacks this season? Both sides have been very aggressive in their game plans. Manning was 14-for-22 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while Flacco was 10-of-17 for 175 yards and two TDs. Halftime score: Denver 21, Baltimore 21.
FIRST QUARTER
This game has been all about big plays to start. First there was Trindon Holliday's 90-yard punt return for a touchdown, setting an NFL playoff record in the process. Then Joe Flacco connected on a 59-yard TD bomb to Torrey Smith to even the score. Then the Broncos' first offensive possession featured a tipped Peyton Manning pass, which was returned by Corey Graham 39 yards for a touchdown. All in the first five minutes of the game.
Manning came back to lead an 11-play, 74 yard drive capped by a beautiful 15-yard throw to Brandon Stokley in the right corner of the end zone. Score after first quarter: Denver 14, Baltimore 14.
NFC: Packers vs. 49ers, 8 p.m., FOX (preview). Colin Kaepernick's rise has been the story in San Francisco, and he has certainly validated coach Jim Harbaugh's trust in him. Meanwhile, did you know that Packers RB DuJuan Harris is just a few months removed from selling cars? We have the whole story, including the fact that he'll be back trying to get his first sale after the season ends.
SUNDAY?S GAMES
NFC: Falcons vs. Seahawks, 1 p.m., FOX (preview). Pete Carroll's third go-round in the NFL has gone far better than his first two. That's because he's believed in his personnel decision-making, taking the guys with something to prove. It's worked wonderfully, and Russell Wilson is just one of his finds.
AFC: Patriots vs. Texans, 4:30 p.m., CBS (preview). These teams met late in the regular season, with the Patriots dominating. For that to change, J.J. Watt must be at his disruptive best. And Boston Globe beat writer Shalise Manza Young says Matt Schaub has to be far better than he's played down the stretch.
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