2015 NFL Divisional Playoffs Picks!

The NFL Divisional Playoff round gets going this weekend, and if there was any doubt as to the impact of a big-time QB, then look at the eight QBs that are left in this round. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Alex Smith, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton and Carson Palmer. Brady, Manning, Big Ben, Rodgers, and Wilson have all won at least 1 Super Bowl. Newton and Palmer have been two of the top three QBs in the entire NFL this year, and Alex Smith is a solid pro who had a Pro Bowl year. Gone are the likes of Kirk Cousins, Brian Hoyer, A.J. McCarron, and Teddy Bridgewater. It has come down to the NFL's version of the Elite Eight, and you have an elite set of QBs ready to make their move to Super Bowl 50. Here are the picks for Divisional Weekend.....

Last Week's Record: 3-1
Overall Playoff Record: 3-1
Regular Season Record: 123-125-11

5-Kansas City at 2-New England
AFC Divisional Playoff Game

A Case for the Chiefs: They have won 11 straight games heading into this one. They had an easy victory in Round 1 over the Texans. They have a really good defense that forces turnovers, and they have a very potent pass rush that could give the Patriots and their offensive line fits. They got the playoff monkey off their backs last week with their first playoff win since 1993. The pressure is on the Patriots, so the Chiefs can play fast and loose and play with that underdog mentality. They are the hottest team in the league, and a team that no one wants to see at this point of the playoffs, and maybe they have a little bit of destiny's darlings in them.

A Case for the Patriots: They are getting their banged-up players back just in time for this game. Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, and Rob Gronkowski are all healthy and ready. On defense, they are getting Donta Hightower and Jamie Collins back healthy. Jeremy Maclin is questionable for this game with a high ankle injury, so the Pats will double Travis Kelce and take him out of the game. By the way, they have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick going up against Alex Smith and Andy Reid. That certainly goes in their favor. Plus, all we have heard about the last few weeks is how they are limping and crawling into the playoffs, but the Pats have been just waiting for the playoffs, and they know they are getting healthy at the right time of the year.

Prediction: NEW ENGLAND (-5) over Kansas City: I would expect nothing but the Pats "A" game here in this spot. The Chiefs are not a pushover, but the Pats are ready and rested, and look for them to put a whipping on KC on Saturday afternoon.

Final Score: Patriots-30 Chiefs-17


5-Green Bay at 2-Arizona
NFC Divisional Playoff Game

A Case for the Packers: What you saw last week from the Packers in their victory over Washington was something we haven't seen from them since October. Can Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense do it again this week? Why not. Green Bay doesn't matchup well with Arizona, but that isn't going to matter if Rodgers gets hot again. Plus, the Packers got destroyed by the Cardinals in Week 16 in that building, and now they can use that as motivation to play their tails off. No one will give them much of a chance this week, and that is a spot that the Packers are usually not in. It would be foolish to just right them off in this game. They have played too many playoff games in recent years, and you can never count out Rodgers having a massive day. Maybe, the Packers just waited for the playoffs to get going again?

A Case for the Cardinals: They have been one of the best 2-3 teams in the entire league all year long. They are significantly better than the Packers, they pounded them a few weeks ago, they are very well-coached under Bruce Arians, and Carson Palmer had a MVP season this year. On the surface, it will be very hard for anyone to go into Arizona and get a win over this Cardinals team. You have to like the matchup from a defensive standpoint with Arizona's defense going up against the banged up Packers offensive line. They are rested, they are the better team, and there is no reason why they can't take care of business and get to the NFC Championship.

Prediction: Green Bay (+7) over ARIZONA: This game really intrigues me on Saturday night. You have Aaron Rodgers as an underdog heading to Arizona in a playoff game. I think this game will be closer than the debacle that happened in Week 16. I think Rodgers makes enough plays to keep the Packers in the game, and although I see a close Cardinals victory, it wouldn't shock me if Green Bay pulled off the upset.

Final Score: Cardinals-27 Packers-23

6-Seattle at 1-Carolina
NFC Divisional Playoff Game

A Case for the Seahawks: From last year's epic comeback to beat Green Bay in the NFC Championship to last week's victory over the Vikings on a missed field goal, it seems like the Seahawks have had some luck on their side in recent playoff history. Maybe this team is just one of those teams that just finds ways to win this big games. They come into this game with a swagger and a mentality. They are the defending NFC champs for two straight years. They will bring a cockiness and confidence into this game that might be too much for the Panthers to handle. They have played 9 playoff games since 2012, so you know they are battle tested. By the way, they have Russell Wilson too. Wilson can simply win a game by himself, and he always plays well in these playoff games.

A Case for the Panthers: At 15-1, they were the best team in the NFL all year long. They already went into Seattle and came back to beat the Seahawks earlier in the year. They aren't afraid or intimidated by them at all. Every time they play the Seahawks, the games are close. Even last year's Divisional Playoff loss to Seattle was close till the 4th quarter. The way the year played out, it just seemed like it was their year from start to finish. Plus, you have the MVP of the league this year in Cam Newton. He can take over the game himself, put this team on his back, and win the game on his own. Finally, this will be the Seahawks third straight road game going back to Week 17, and it will be their second straight game in the Eastern time zone. That has to be a factor in Carolina's favor.

Prediction: CAROLINA (-2) over Seattle: I know a lot of people are going to pick the Seahawks, but I'm not one of them. This has all the makings of a classic game, and I think it will be close. Russell Wilson vs. Cam Newton will be they guys that decide this game. I think Newton makes one more big play to win it late.

Final Score: Panthers-24 Seahawks-20