Last Week's Playoff Record: 4-0
Overall Playoff Record: 4-0
Overall Final Regular Season Record: 126-113-14
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
AFC Divisional Playoff
(6) Indianapolis at (1) Kansas City
A Case for the Colts: They are hottest team in the playoffs at this point. They went into Houston and buried the Texans convincingly. The Colts have nothing to lose here. There is no pressure on this team right now. They have exceeded expectations, and everything from here on out is gravy. Frank Reich has done a tremendous job with this group, and he has them believing. Andrew Luck is a difference maker, and he can win this game in Arrowhead all by himself. The KC defense is very suspect, and I can see Luck having a huge day, putting this team on his back, and winning the game on his own. All of the pressure in this game falls on the Chiefs and we know their spotty playoff history at home-especially after a bye week.
A Case for the Chiefs: The are the #1 seed in the AFC for a reason. They have the league MVP in Patrick Mahomes, and they offense is lethal-especially at home. They are rested and ready. This will be the third straight road game for the Colts, and that Arrowhead crowd will be beyond crazy because they know this is their best team in a long time and the road to the Super Bowl goes through KC. Plus, a lot of people are starting to get on the Colts bandwagon this week, and the Chiefs can use that as motivation all week long. They are being disrespected as a #1 seed, and that hasn't happened in the AFC in a long time. They can't possibly lose another home playoff game after a bye? Right?
Prediction: Indy (+6) over KANSAS CITY: The Chiefs avoid another home playoff letdown and barely get by the Colts and head to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 1993.
Final Score: Chiefs-30 Colts-27
NFC Divisional Playoff
(4) Dallas at (2) Los Angeles Rams
A Case for the Cowboys: They have nothing to lose in this spot here. They were 3-5 and looked like they were done for the year and they battled back, won the NFC East, and then won a home playoff game over Seattle last week. I think they are playing with house money in this game and they can play fast and loose. All the pressure is on the Rams. Plus, with this game in LA and at the LA Coliseum, there is going to A LOT of Cowboys fans at this game. The homefield advantage won't be that much of a factor as all the Cowboys fans will flood the Coliseum. How healthy is Todd Gurely? Couldn't you see the Cowboys offense controlling the clock with Ezekiel Elliot and dominating the time of possession and keeping the Rams offense off the field? I think Dallas can do that and frustrate the Rams all night.
A Case for the Rams: They went 13-3 for a reason and they were one of the three best teams in the league all year long. They lost their first playoff game last year at home, so I think they will learn from that experience. If you look at the coaching matchups, you have to favor Sean McVay over Jason Garrett and Wade Phillips over Scott Linehan by a wide margin. I think the Rams are one of those teams that just wanted to get to the postseason this year. They knew they were a good team, they knew they were going to make the playoffs, and they knew their season would be defined by how far they went in the postseason. The regular season is over with and now the Rams can make their run.
Prediction: Dallas (+7) over LA RAMS: Great setting for this game: Primetime on Divisional Weekend on a Saturday night in the LA Coliseum. I think Dallas keeps this game close, but the Rams are too much in the end. They win their first playoff game since 2004, and advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2001.
Final Score: Rams-27 Cowboys-23
AFC Divisional Playoff
(5) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England
A Case for the Chargers: They went into Baltimore last week and dominated the game. Melvin Ingram might be on a "Von Miller-2015" type of run during these playoffs. You have to love the way he is playing and you can see him and Joey Bosa giving Tom Brady fits on Sunday. Perhaps this really is Phillip Rivers' year. Maybe this is finally the time for him. He got through the Ravens on the road last week and now he gets to go to Foxboro and slay the dragon. All the pressure is on the Patriots. They aren't the same team as they were in the past few postseasons, and they are due to get knocked off before Championship round. They know they don't have many years left in the Brady-Belichick era.I don't think the Chargers are afraid of the Patriots at all, and they will use that as motivation.
A Case for the Patriots: You have to love the coaching matchup between Bill Belichick and Anthony Lynn if you are a Pats fan. Can you see Lynn going into Foxboro and outwitting Belichick? That is a tall order to ask. Also, the Pats know they aren't getting the same respect as they usually do in the playoffs, and they will be sick and tired of hearing how the Chargers are going to upset them on Sunday. I could see the Pats coming out on fire and getting up 14 points early before the Chargers know what hit them. Remember, this is the third straight road game for the Chargers and another early window on Sunday. Every time you think the Pats are done, it comes back to bite you. Do you really want to bet against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick at home in the playoffs?
Prediction: LA Chargers (+5) over NEW ENGLAND: I'm so sick and tired of the Patriots and they have been to seven straight AFC Championship Games. I don't want to see them get there again. I've been burned before by going against them, but I'll take the Chargers to win in Foxboro and get to the AFC Championship for the first time since 2007.
Final Score: Chargers-31 Patriots-28
NFC Divisional Playoff
(6) Philadelphia at (1) New Orleans
A Case for the Eagles: They are on some sort of roll with Nick Foles. Something is in the water with Foles and the playoffs. It is now four times in a row going back to last year's playoffs. The Eagles are also on a magic carpet ride type of run going back to last year as well. They have nothing to lose and they can come into this game with no pressure-even after winning the Super Bowl last year. I also think they can use the motivation from getting killed 45-7 in the regular season as a way to play the "Nobody believes in us" card. You have seen teams get blown out by a team in the regular season and then play much better in the rematch in the playoffs. Put it this way: Would it surprise you if Nick Foles had the ball down 4 with two minutes to go and he starts a drive to put the Eagles in position to win the game?
A Case for the Saints: They are the best team in the NFC, and they are rested and at home in the Superdome on Sunday. We have seen the Saints jump on many teams in this spot and get out to an early lead and dominate their opponents. You could see this happening again this week. This is also the third straight road game for the Eagles, and that could play into the Saints favor. The Saints and Drew Brees just might be too much for the Eagles at this point. If the Saints are up 14-0 in the first quarter, the Eagles might just tip their cap and roll over.
Prediction: NEW ORLEANS (-8) over Philly: The Saints get up on the Eagles early, Philly rallies to make it a game, but in the end the Saints pull away to head to their first NFC Championship Game since 2009.
Final Score: Saints-34 Eagles-20
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