Last Week's Record: 1-2-1
Overall Playoff Record: 1-2-1
Overall Regular Season Record: 131-110-15
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
NFC Divisional Playoff-Saturday 1/13 (NBC)
6) Atlanta at 1) Philadelphia
A Case for the Falcons: Watching the Falcons beat the Rams in last week's Wild Card game showed us that Atlanta might be back and ready to make another Super Bowl run. They were six point underdogs in LA, and they went out and beat the Rams and moved on. It was an impressive game, and their defense looks like they could be coming together at the right time. Now, they have to be licking their chops as they go up against Nick Foles. Doesn't it seem like Atlanta has that look of a team that gets on a run and no one wants to play them in these playoffs? They seem like they are on a mission right now. It was like the regular season didn't matter, and all they did was just get into the playoffs and start their season at that point. I could also see the storyline of Matt Ryan going into his hometown and ending the Eagles season prematurely. Plus, doesn't this just look so obvious that the Falcons are going to knock the Eagles out in their first game in the playoffs and add more misery to the Eagles fanbase.
A Case for the Eagles: The Eagles are getting absolutely no love in this game. It is quite shocking that a team that went 13-3 and is the #1 seed in the NFC, and they are underdogs at home to a #6 seed. The Eagles will use the "Nobody Respects Us" angle as motivation all week long. They can play into it and maybe that will be a deciding factor. Also, don't sleep on the Eagles defense. They have been good all season, and DC Jim Schwartz could have a decided advantage in the matchup over Atlanta's OC Steve Sarkisian. I know they have to protect Nick Foles, but maybe they can run the ball and keep the ball out of Foles hands and play close to the vest-knowing they are at home. The Eagles are probably the most disrespected top seed in NFC history.
Prediction: Atlanta (-3) over PHILADELPHIA: As much as I try to break this down, I really have a hard time thinking Nick Foles and the Eagles will win this game. If they do, then more power to them. The Falcons have the better QB, momentum, and that look of a team that is making another run.
Final Score: Falcons-24 Eagles-17
AFC Divisional Playoff-Saturday 1/13 (CBS)
5) Tennessee at 1) New England
A Case for the Titans: How the Titans won their Wild Card game over the Chiefs last week is still amazing to me. It was an incredible comeback win, and it has to give them some confidence going forward. They have nothing to lose here. They won their first playoff game since 2003, and no one believes that they will win their second this weekend. Mike Mularkey kind of got the monkey off his back as far as his job is concerned after winning last week's game, so now the Titans can relax, play fast and loose, and try to pull off the monumental upset. Maybe Derrick Henry and Marcus Mariota can get hot again and take over the game and shock everyone once again.
A Case for the Patriots: The Patriots got all the motivation they needed last weekend when ESPN published an article about how there was dysfunction in the ranks between Robert Kraft, Tom Brady, and Bill Belichick. Their bye week was spent answering questions and denying this report. They will use that as a "Patriots vs. the World" mentality and take it out on the Titans this Saturday night. I really can't see the Titans putting up much of a fight in this one, and this has the look of a blowout early. The Patriots will come out of the gates, attack the Titans on defense, move the ball at will, and score in bunches to take a comfortable lead. Then, they will let their defense take over and take away anything that Marcus Mariota and Derrick Henry do well. It just looks like the obvious playoff mismatch and the Pats are just above and beyond the better team in every aspect.
Prediction: NEW ENGLAND (-13) over Tennessee: The Pats are rested and ready to take out any frustrations they have about the story that ESPN published, and they will put the Titans away early in the evening. Start searching NETFLIX for something else to watch Saturday night when this game gets ugly in the first half.
Final Score: Patriots-34 Titans-14
AFC Divisional Playoff-Sunday 1/14 (CBS)
3) Jacksonville at 2) Pittsburgh
A Case for the Jaguars: Their defense is dynamic. That group anchored their win over Buffalo last week. Plus, they already went into Pittsburgh and won this year while picking off Ben Roethlisberger five times. I think they will play with house money. They will play fast and loose, and they will play with confidence that they can go into Heinz Field and beat the Steelers a second time this season. The last time a team beat Pittsburgh twice in their stadium in one season was the 2007 Jaguars. Could history repeat itself 10 years later? I know Blake Bortles is a liability, but their formula could work if they run the ball with Leonard Fournette, play conservative, play field position, and try to force Big Ben into some turnovers again. Jacksonville could be dangerous here because their defense can travel.
A Case for the Steelers: The Jags have the Steelers attention because Pittsburgh was embarrassed by this team in their own stadium in October. The Steelers want revenge, and they want to put it on this young and cocky defense. Antonio Brown will be back at full strength after missing a few weeks with a calf injury. Can't you see Big Ben throwing all over the Jags defense after throwing for five interceptions against this team during their first meeting? Also, don't forget that the Steelers are using Ryan Shazier's injury as a rallying cry. Sometimes, teams feed off of emotional situations, and I could see the Steelers using Shazier and his injury as a way to get them to play so passionate because they want to win it for him. Plus, I'll take my chances against Blake Bortles in a home playoff game any time.
Prediction: PITTSBURGH (-7) over Jacksonville:
Final Score: Steelers-26 Jaguars-13
NFC Divisional Playoff-Sunday 1/14 (FOX)
3) New Orleans at 2 Minnesota
A Case for the Saints: They feature a Hall of Fame QB in Drew Brees, who is playing well, and a two-headed monster in the running game with Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. They have the coaching experience with Sean Payton. They are young in a lot of spots, but sometimes that youth can be a good thing. They already won a playoff game with their win over Carolina last week, so I think they come into this game as the underdog and they will play fast and loose. I think they are dangerous in this spot. You can kind of see them getting on a run here too. Plus, do you really think they are going to respect Case Keenum? You know they are going to force him to make plays in the passing game and you have to wonder if he can actually do it now that we are in the playoffs. There is just something about them that makes me think they could spring the upset.
A Case for the Vikings: Their defense is very, very good, and they are going to be tough to run on in this game. They are at home and this is the first playoff game in the new US Bank Stadium that was built last year. They have had a great regular season, had the bye week, and you know that place is going to be loud and crazy. This is the best Vikings team since the Brett Favre team in 2009, and the fans are going to be ready. I think Mike Zimmer is as good of a head coach as there is in this league, and he will have his team ready to play. Throw in the fact that a lot of people are picking the Saints this week, and you know that got their attention. Plus, Minnesota is hosting the Super Bowl in a few weeks, so the idea that the Vikings could be the first ever team to play in their own stadium for a Super Bowl is tantalizing and possibly an act of fate.
Prediction: New Orleans (+5) over MINNESOTA: I think the Vikings will win this game, but I think five points is a little too high. Throw out the game from Week 1.This game will be close down the stretch, and the Vikings will keep their dream season alive, but it is a field goal game either way.
Final Score: Vikings-23 Saints-20
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