Last Week's Record: 9-7
Overall Regular Season Record: 131-110-15
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
AFC Wild Card Game-Saturday 1/6 (ABC/ESPN)
5) Tennessee at 4) Kansas City
A Case for the Titans: The Titans went into Arrowhead last year and beat the Chiefs in a big game in December, so they know they can go into that stadium and win a game. The Titans are young and don't have a lot of playoff experience, but they don't know any better. Maybe they just play fast and loose and take chances. I know Marcus Mariota has had a rough year, but maybe he can make enough plays to win this game on his own. Don't forget about the Andy Reid factor on the other sideline, and perhaps the Titans can figure out a way to pull off the upset.
A Case for the Chiefs: They seemed to have right the ship when they were 6-6. They have won four straight and held off the Chargers in the AFC West. Maybe they are playing well at the right time. They are simply the better team, and they have their home crowd and the weather in their favor. Arrowhead Stadium will be rocking. DeMarco Murray is out for this game too. They have too many weapons, they have the experience, and if they get up by 10, they can tee off on Mariota and that Titans offense.
Prediction: KANSAS CITY (-7) over Tennessee: The Chiefs will be too much for the Titans, and they will advance to the Divisional Round. I would be shocked if the Chiefs don't play well and win this game by more than a touchdown.
Final Score: Chiefs-27 Titans-13
NFC Wild Card Game-Saturday 1/6 (NBC)
6) Atlanta at 3) Los Angeles Rams
A Case for the Falcons: They have the playoff pedigree. They went to a Super Bowl last year, and they were on the cusp of winning it. They have more experience than the young Rams. We have been waiting all year long for the Matt Ryan and this offense to get going, and maybe this is the game that it all comes together. Perhaps the Falcons were just looking towards the playoffs all year long. Maybe their focus was just getting into the playoffs, and now that they are in, they might be able to get on a deep run again. This game will also be played in nice conditions in Los Angeles, and it will be hard to judge what type of crowd will be on hand for the this playoff game. You could see the Falcons catching fire as a 6 seed and going on a run that starts here in this game.
A Case for the Rams: The Rams are a good team-plain and simple. They are well-coached under first year head coach, Sean McVay. They have a huge coaching advantage with Rams DC Wade Phillips going up against Atlanta OC Steve Sarkisian. The Rams can score points, run the ball, and get explosive plays, and then they get their defense to get stops and turnovers. They can ride the back of MVP candidate Todd Gurley all game long. I think they are probably a better team than the underachieving Falcons. Although they are inexperienced when it comes to the playoffs, maybe that will help them. They don't know better, and that might play to their advantage.
Prediction: LA RAMS (-6) over Atlanta: This is the hardest game to pick of the four this weekend. I could see the Falcons winning, but I think the Rams will prove they are the better team. I think this is the best game of the weekend and it will come down to the 4th quarter. I think the Rams win it and advance to the Divisional Round and head to Minnesota next week.
Final Score: Rams-28 Falcons-20
6) Buffalo at 3) Jacksonville
A Case for the Bills: The Bills got into the playoffs in remarkable fashion as the Bengals upset the Ravens and the Bills beat Miami to clinch the final spot in the AFC. Perhaps the Bills are riding the wave of karma and destiny? They have to like the idea of going up against Blake Bortles in a playoff game. Plus, they can play this game close enough to the vest that they can keep it close. If it is 13-10 or 10-7 in the second half, then they can find a way to pull it out. How much of a factor will the crowd be in Jacksonville for this playoff game? You know the weather won't be a factor there as well. The Bills have an uphill climb in this game, but it's not like they are taking on the Pats or the Steelers. Then, they also have the Doug Marrone revenge factor involved after Marrone bailed on them a few years ago.
A Case for the Jaguars: They have a very good defense, and they are going against an offense that is going to be without their best player. LeSean McCoy is most likely out for this game with an ankle injury, and that should help the Jags chances to really shut down the Bills. You would have to think the crowd will be pumped up for the first playoff game in Jacksonville since 1999. I know you have to be worried about Bortles, but I think they will protect him enough to keep him from taking chances and making mistakes. Also, the Bills aren't a good team,. They were fortunate to get in, and they didn't have a lot of quality wins to justify even being a playoff team.
Prediction: JACKSONVILLE (-7) over Buffalo: I don't think the Bills will have enough offense to pull off the upset. It might be ugly at times, but I think the Jaguars will cruise to a win and get their first playoff win since 1999.
Final Score: Jaguars-23 Bills-13
NFC Wild Card Game-Sunday 1/7 (FOX)
5) Carolina at 4) New Orleans
A Case for the Panthers: There are a lot of people doubting the Panthers as they head into the playoffs, but we forget that this team went 11-5 this year. I think for a single game elimination tournament, you can take your chances with Cam Newton and Luke Keuchly on both sides of the ball. I could see this game being close, and I could see Newton doing his thing and taking the game over. I think the Panthers defense can play well enough to win and shut down the Saints. The Panthers have more playoff experience as of late, and this is a team that was in the Super Bowl just two years ago. They can also use the motivation that they were beaten by the Saints twice already this year, and no one will believe in them beating the Saints in New Orleans in this spot. It's hard to beat a team twice in the NFL in one season-let alone three times in a year.
A Case for the Saints: The Saints are back into the playoffs and the Superdome will be rocking on Sunday afternoon. The combination of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram has been terrific all year long, and I look for them to ride those two once again in this game. They have already beaten the Panthers twice this year, and maybe they just have the Panthers number this year. You still have Drew Brees and Sean Payton, and they have been itching to get back into the playoffs and now here is there chance. Also, the inexperience on the Saints defense might have some people worried, but once again those young guys don't know any better, so they might not play scared and nervous.
Prediction: Carolina (+7) over NEW ORLEANS: I need an upset this weekend, and I don't see it coming from the AFC, so I'll go with the Panthers. Not too many people are picking Carolina this weekend, but I'm going to go out on a limb and take them. I don't think the Saints will beat them three times this season, and look for Cam Newton and the Panthers to move on to the Divisional Round.
Final Score: Panthers-31 Saints-28
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