Craig: NFL divisional playoff predictions

Well, at least the regular season predictions – 146-90-1 straight up and 125-111-1 – went fairly well.

And the start of last week's wild-card round went as expected when the Panthers won. But after that, well …

Last week's final record: 1-3 straight up and 2-2 versus the spread.

The Lions pick was a reach that was understood at the time it was made. Picking the Bengals was a lesson in the value of paying closer attention to key injuries (Note: When all the playmakers are injured, pick the other team, especially if the other team is at home). And the Steelers losing at home was a surprise that shouldn't have been a surprise considering Joe Flacco now has an NFL-record seven road playoff wins. Really. Joe Flacco. Look it up.

Here are four more swings at the NFL Divisional playoff games this weekend. All four home teams are favored even though we all know there's no way all four home teams do what they're supposed to do over two days in the NFL:

Ravens plus-7 at Patriots: Patriots by 3

Why?: New England has its best defense in years. Tom Brady is, well, Tom Brady. And the Patriots have spent a week being told they're 1-2 against Joe Flacco in the postseason the past five years.

Why?: The Panthers have won five straight while holding those five losers to an average of 11.8 points per game. But the Seahawks are 24-2 at home with Russell Wilson at quarterback. And they joined the 1976 Steelers as the only team in NFL history to win its final six regular-season games while holding those six teams to fewer than 40 total points (39).

Cowboys plus-5 ½ at Packers: Packers by 7

Why?: Aaron Rodgers is the closest thing to a mistake-free quarterback the NFL has ever seen. Eddie Lacy provides balance and a power running game. And the defense helped the Packers outscore opponents 93-7 in the first quarter of the last seven games at Lambeau Field. Tony Romo has had a great season as well, but he's a mistake waiting to happen.

Colts plus-7 at Broncos: Broncos by 3

Why?: The Colts lack the balance offensively to beat a much-improved Denver defense on the road. We say this while whistling past the proverbial graveyard that feels like this could be another one-and-done home outing for Peyton Manning, whose passing rhythm fell out of whack late in the year.

Record: 1-3. Versus spread: 2-2.