Wild Card Saturday Recap
If you were cheering for a blue and white team that started with the letter "C", you probably are going to sleep satisfied with today's games. The Killer C's, the Colts and Cowboys, both played hard-nosed, smashmouth football to pick up victories over the Texans and Seahawks.
Colts 21, Texans 7
Indianapolis completely dominated Houston from the get-go. T.Y. Hilton had 63 receiving yards on the opening drive before Andrew Luck, playing in his first playoff game in four years, found Eric Ebron for a touchdown. The Colts marched down the field all day long, with Marlon Mack's 148 yards highlighting a stellar offensive effort.
The score, a modest 21-7, doesn't highlight how dominant Indianapolis was on offense. Luck threw an interception on a deflected screen pass, but otherwise, the Colts controlled the clock and the game. That interception flipped the momentum and gave Houston a shot down 14-0. But the Colts got the ball right back, scored on a touchdown pass from Luck to Dontrelle Inman, and effectively punched their ticket to Kansas City then and there.
Cowboys 24, Seahawks 22
Dallas, on the other hand, played in a more tightly contested game. However, its formula for winning was essentially the same. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 137 yards, the defense played phenomenally all day and Dak Prescott, other than one fluky interception, controlled the game with stellar play.
Amari Cooper had 106 receiving yards to lead Dallas' receivers, while rookie Michael Gallup had a critical touchdown catch to end the first half. While the Cowboys defense let Russell Wilson score two touchdowns, they suffocated Seattle's league-leading run game. Carson ran for a paltry 20 yards on 13 carries, ruining Seattle's season and my daily fantasy roster.
What's Next For the Colts?
Indianapolis is guaranteed a date at Arrowhead Stadium with Kansas City, which should be a phenomenal game. Both teams rely heavily on offense and have brilliant coaches who will be sure to prepare their teams. Frank Reich has been amazing in his rookie season in Indianapolis, while Andy Reid has always been known for his stroke of offensive genius.
I have always said that Kansas City looks like a one-and-done team, but I think they'll win a track meet because the Colts aren't built to beat the Chiefs.
Great defense beats great offense in the playoffs, which is why Kansas City won't win the Super Bowl. Indianapolis has a good but not a great defense. Deshaun Watson missed some key throws that Patrick Mahomes won't miss next week. Pierre Desir matched up well with DeAndre Hopkins' physicality. No one matches up quite that well with Tyreek Hill and his speed.
With that said, the Colts will put up a tremendous fight, and I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see them emerge from Arrowhead with a victory. If you have plans for next Saturday at 4:40 ET, cancel them. You're going to want to see this.
Chiefs 35, Colts 28
What's next for the Cowboys?
Unlike the Colts, Dallas doesn't know who its next opponent will be. It will travel to either New Orleans (if Chicago beats Philadelphia) or Los Angeles (if Philadelphia beats Chicago).
Dallas beat New Orleans in late November and could certainly do it again, although I wouldn't count on it. The Saints are 5-0 in the Superdome in the playoffs with Drew Brees and Sean Payton. The Saints don't typically lose to a team twice in a season. Dallas is great on defense, but it matches up better with a run-heavy team like Seattle than a pass-heavy team like the Saints.
The Rams, on the other hand, are a total Wild Card. Jared Goff did not come to play in December, and the Goff/Sean McVay tandem are already 0-1 in home playoff games. A great defense like Dallas could definitely stifle Todd Gurley and the Rams, although a mastermind like McVay should have an answer for the Cowboys.
If it is indeed Cowboys at Saints, give me the Saints in a somewhat close game-call it 27-17 New Orleans. If it's the Rams, my gut is to roll with top defenses and pick Dallas 22-21. Stay tuned, Cowboys fans, and root for the Eagles tomorrow, as hard as that may be.
Colts 21, Texans 7
Indianapolis completely dominated Houston from the get-go. T.Y. Hilton had 63 receiving yards on the opening drive before Andrew Luck, playing in his first playoff game in four years, found Eric Ebron for a touchdown. The Colts marched down the field all day long, with Marlon Mack's 148 yards highlighting a stellar offensive effort.
The score, a modest 21-7, doesn't highlight how dominant Indianapolis was on offense. Luck threw an interception on a deflected screen pass, but otherwise, the Colts controlled the clock and the game. That interception flipped the momentum and gave Houston a shot down 14-0. But the Colts got the ball right back, scored on a touchdown pass from Luck to Dontrelle Inman, and effectively punched their ticket to Kansas City then and there.
Cowboys 24, Seahawks 22
Dallas, on the other hand, played in a more tightly contested game. However, its formula for winning was essentially the same. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 137 yards, the defense played phenomenally all day and Dak Prescott, other than one fluky interception, controlled the game with stellar play.
Amari Cooper had 106 receiving yards to lead Dallas' receivers, while rookie Michael Gallup had a critical touchdown catch to end the first half. While the Cowboys defense let Russell Wilson score two touchdowns, they suffocated Seattle's league-leading run game. Carson ran for a paltry 20 yards on 13 carries, ruining Seattle's season and my daily fantasy roster.
What's Next For the Colts?
Indianapolis is guaranteed a date at Arrowhead Stadium with Kansas City, which should be a phenomenal game. Both teams rely heavily on offense and have brilliant coaches who will be sure to prepare their teams. Frank Reich has been amazing in his rookie season in Indianapolis, while Andy Reid has always been known for his stroke of offensive genius.
I have always said that Kansas City looks like a one-and-done team, but I think they'll win a track meet because the Colts aren't built to beat the Chiefs.
Great defense beats great offense in the playoffs, which is why Kansas City won't win the Super Bowl. Indianapolis has a good but not a great defense. Deshaun Watson missed some key throws that Patrick Mahomes won't miss next week. Pierre Desir matched up well with DeAndre Hopkins' physicality. No one matches up quite that well with Tyreek Hill and his speed.
With that said, the Colts will put up a tremendous fight, and I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see them emerge from Arrowhead with a victory. If you have plans for next Saturday at 4:40 ET, cancel them. You're going to want to see this.
Chiefs 35, Colts 28
What's next for the Cowboys?
Unlike the Colts, Dallas doesn't know who its next opponent will be. It will travel to either New Orleans (if Chicago beats Philadelphia) or Los Angeles (if Philadelphia beats Chicago).
Dallas beat New Orleans in late November and could certainly do it again, although I wouldn't count on it. The Saints are 5-0 in the Superdome in the playoffs with Drew Brees and Sean Payton. The Saints don't typically lose to a team twice in a season. Dallas is great on defense, but it matches up better with a run-heavy team like Seattle than a pass-heavy team like the Saints.
The Rams, on the other hand, are a total Wild Card. Jared Goff did not come to play in December, and the Goff/Sean McVay tandem are already 0-1 in home playoff games. A great defense like Dallas could definitely stifle Todd Gurley and the Rams, although a mastermind like McVay should have an answer for the Cowboys.
If it is indeed Cowboys at Saints, give me the Saints in a somewhat close game-call it 27-17 New Orleans. If it's the Rams, my gut is to roll with top defenses and pick Dallas 22-21. Stay tuned, Cowboys fans, and root for the Eagles tomorrow, as hard as that may be.
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