Divisional Round Preview
After going 3 of 4 last week (thanks, Chicago), I'm feeling pretty confident about my picks for the upcoming weekend. The Wild Card round saw three of the four road teams emerge victorious, and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw somewhat similar results this week. Nonetheless, I expect one of the most exciting football weekends in recent memory.
Colts at Chiefs
The top-seeded Chiefs got somewhat unlucky with this matchup. The Colts are playing strong defense, Andrew Luck has done so much with not a whole lot of talent around him, and, most importantly, they are winning up front. Guard Quenton Nelson is winning them football games, and Marlon Mack's 148-yard rushing performance was outstanding against a strong Houston defense.
But for whatever reason, I just don't see Andy Reid blowing this one. The Colts are a strong team, and they're playing phenomenally as of late, but they haven't seen an offense like the Chiefs. A team like the Bears, with the best defense in the league, is built to beat the Chiefs. The Colts have a good defense, but they don't have the elite defense required to stop Patrick Mahomes and company.
With two weeks to plan for this game, Reid and the Chiefs will be ready to go. I wouldn't be surprised to see a shootout like the Broncos vs Ravens Divisional game in 2012 or the Ravens vs Patriots game in 2014. It's going to be a classic track meet, but I think the Chiefs will score just enough to win this game. The Colts didn't play very well in the second half against Houston, and that will be their downfall in this game. Kansas City wins a close one off of a late touchdown to advance to the AFC championship.
Chiefs 35, Colts 28
Cowboys at Rams
As I've been saying for the last week, the Cowboys had a legitimate shot to get to the NFC Championship Game if they got the right path. Thanks to Nick Foles, Dallas is in prime position to capitalize against a weak Rams team.
This is a better outcome for the Rams than playing Chicago, but Dallas is still a formidable matchup. Seattle's top run game was shut down by Dallas; star running back Chris Carson ran for a mere 20 yards on 13 carries. Todd Gurley hasn't played well against top defenses; Chicago shut him down for just 28 yards on 11 carries.
With Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith playing stellar football at linebacker, I think the Cowboys will dare Jared Goff to beat them. Goff wasn't bad in the playoffs against the Falcons last year, but he didn't do enough to win. The same thing will happen here as a couple Rams turnovers and a ball-control approach from the Cowboys will be just enough for Dallas to pull off a major upset.
Cowboys 23, Rams 20
Chargers at Patriots
I've been waiting for this matchup all year, and in spite of a near collapse last week, we finally get to see Phillip Rivers aim for revenge against Tom Brady and New England.
The Patriots are still the Patriots, but I really believe the Chargers are the stronger team here. They won more games in the regular season, they have a more balanced team, and they have a more explosive offense. Rivers has been mediocre lately, but Brady hasn't been himself either.
I fully expect Los Angeles to be leading in the second half just like last week against Baltimore. However, against New England's weak run defense, the Chargers would be able to close out the game instead of collapsing like last week. Melvin Gordon will bounce back in a big way, and the Chargers will rely heavily on him offensively in the cold weather.
The Patriots won't be an easy out, but this Chargers team is equipped to finally get past New England. Rivers gets his revenge and ignites questions about the 41-year-old Brady's future.
Chargers 19, Patriots 17
Eagles at Saints
It wasn't Nick Foles' strongest performance, but somehow, the man did it again. Foles' late-game magic allowed the Eagles to squeak past the Bears and into the second round, where they'll face the formidable New Orleans Saints.
Most people appear to be picking the Saints as not only the NFC favorite but also the Super Bowl favorite. I'll be boring and do the same. This is the same Saints team that beat the Eagles 48-7 earlier in the season and the same Saints team that is 5-0 in home playoff games under Sean Payton and Drew Brees.
Foles won't be an easy out, and this won't be like the previous Saints-Eagles game. However, New Orleans is the better team, and I expect this to be the biggest blowout of the four games.
Saints 34, Eagles 20
Colts at Chiefs
The top-seeded Chiefs got somewhat unlucky with this matchup. The Colts are playing strong defense, Andrew Luck has done so much with not a whole lot of talent around him, and, most importantly, they are winning up front. Guard Quenton Nelson is winning them football games, and Marlon Mack's 148-yard rushing performance was outstanding against a strong Houston defense.
But for whatever reason, I just don't see Andy Reid blowing this one. The Colts are a strong team, and they're playing phenomenally as of late, but they haven't seen an offense like the Chiefs. A team like the Bears, with the best defense in the league, is built to beat the Chiefs. The Colts have a good defense, but they don't have the elite defense required to stop Patrick Mahomes and company.
With two weeks to plan for this game, Reid and the Chiefs will be ready to go. I wouldn't be surprised to see a shootout like the Broncos vs Ravens Divisional game in 2012 or the Ravens vs Patriots game in 2014. It's going to be a classic track meet, but I think the Chiefs will score just enough to win this game. The Colts didn't play very well in the second half against Houston, and that will be their downfall in this game. Kansas City wins a close one off of a late touchdown to advance to the AFC championship.
Chiefs 35, Colts 28
Cowboys at Rams
As I've been saying for the last week, the Cowboys had a legitimate shot to get to the NFC Championship Game if they got the right path. Thanks to Nick Foles, Dallas is in prime position to capitalize against a weak Rams team.
This is a better outcome for the Rams than playing Chicago, but Dallas is still a formidable matchup. Seattle's top run game was shut down by Dallas; star running back Chris Carson ran for a mere 20 yards on 13 carries. Todd Gurley hasn't played well against top defenses; Chicago shut him down for just 28 yards on 11 carries.
With Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith playing stellar football at linebacker, I think the Cowboys will dare Jared Goff to beat them. Goff wasn't bad in the playoffs against the Falcons last year, but he didn't do enough to win. The same thing will happen here as a couple Rams turnovers and a ball-control approach from the Cowboys will be just enough for Dallas to pull off a major upset.
Cowboys 23, Rams 20
Chargers at Patriots
I've been waiting for this matchup all year, and in spite of a near collapse last week, we finally get to see Phillip Rivers aim for revenge against Tom Brady and New England.
The Patriots are still the Patriots, but I really believe the Chargers are the stronger team here. They won more games in the regular season, they have a more balanced team, and they have a more explosive offense. Rivers has been mediocre lately, but Brady hasn't been himself either.
I fully expect Los Angeles to be leading in the second half just like last week against Baltimore. However, against New England's weak run defense, the Chargers would be able to close out the game instead of collapsing like last week. Melvin Gordon will bounce back in a big way, and the Chargers will rely heavily on him offensively in the cold weather.
The Patriots won't be an easy out, but this Chargers team is equipped to finally get past New England. Rivers gets his revenge and ignites questions about the 41-year-old Brady's future.
Chargers 19, Patriots 17
Eagles at Saints
It wasn't Nick Foles' strongest performance, but somehow, the man did it again. Foles' late-game magic allowed the Eagles to squeak past the Bears and into the second round, where they'll face the formidable New Orleans Saints.
Most people appear to be picking the Saints as not only the NFC favorite but also the Super Bowl favorite. I'll be boring and do the same. This is the same Saints team that beat the Eagles 48-7 earlier in the season and the same Saints team that is 5-0 in home playoff games under Sean Payton and Drew Brees.
Foles won't be an easy out, and this won't be like the previous Saints-Eagles game. However, New Orleans is the better team, and I expect this to be the biggest blowout of the four games.
Saints 34, Eagles 20
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