Divisional Round
Divisional Round
4 games Saturday and Sunday this week. Here's a quick rundown and prediction. Let me know what you all think.
4:35 pm EST Saturday: Patriots (2) vs Chiefs (5)
Pats are 5.5 point favorites here. Pretty large spread considering the "dog" hasn't lost a game since the NFL was covered in pink. Also consider, Houston and Hali are back and healthy for KC to rush and beat up (high ankle sprain and rib injury) Brady.
Brady will have Vollmer (his LT) and Edelman (his go to receiving threat) back after extended absences. Hightower also looks to be a go on the defensive side of the ball for the Pats. Mysteriously, Gronk was missing from practice on Tuesday. May want to keep an eye on that as the week continues.
Kansas City's biggest injury concern is leading receiver Maclin. He left last week's blowout of the Texans with a knee injury but appears to have avoided any serious structural damage.
My prediction: Kansas City wins the personelle matchup at probably 70% of the positions. They have all the momentum. This time of the year though, the better QB usually wins. Alex Smith is a good QB but Brady is a great QB. Give my the Pats to win the game but the Chiefs to cover the points. New England 26 Kansas City 24.
4:35 pm EST Saturday: Patriots (2) vs Chiefs (5)
Pats are 5.5 point favorites here. Pretty large spread considering the "dog" hasn't lost a game since the NFL was covered in pink. Also consider, Houston and Hali are back and healthy for KC to rush and beat up (high ankle sprain and rib injury) Brady.
Brady will have Vollmer (his LT) and Edelman (his go to receiving threat) back after extended absences. Hightower also looks to be a go on the defensive side of the ball for the Pats. Mysteriously, Gronk was missing from practice on Tuesday. May want to keep an eye on that as the week continues.
Kansas City's biggest injury concern is leading receiver Maclin. He left last week's blowout of the Texans with a knee injury but appears to have avoided any serious structural damage.
My prediction: Kansas City wins the personelle matchup at probably 70% of the positions. They have all the momentum. This time of the year though, the better QB usually wins. Alex Smith is a good QB but Brady is a great QB. Give my the Pats to win the game but the Chiefs to cover the points. New England 26 Kansas City 24.
Re: Divisional Round
8:15 pm EST on Saturday: (2) Cardinals vs (5) Packers
The Cards are favored by exactly a TD. Which Packer team will show up this week? The team that started 6-0? The team that went 4-6 down the stretch? The team that looked lost in the 1st quarter and fell behind 11-0 to the Skins? The team that looked like a Super Bowl contender in the final 40 minutes of their game Sunday?
One thing to consider is preparation time. Green Bay's game last week didn't end until late Sunday evening in Washington. They had to travel back to Wisconsin and then have to Arizona for a game that will start 6 days later. Arizona on the other hand has sat at home for 2 weeks waiting for their chance to finally get to be healthy at the QB position in the playoffs.
On the injury front, WR Adams is out for the Pack. He has been Rogers most reliable target over the past few weeks. DT Redding and LB Okafor are out for the Cardinals.
Prediction: The injury to Adams really hurts the Packers. Carson Palmer seems poised to make a run at the Super Bowl. The extra preparation time will be the difference. Packers barely cover the points. Arizona 27 Green Bay 21.
The Cards are favored by exactly a TD. Which Packer team will show up this week? The team that started 6-0? The team that went 4-6 down the stretch? The team that looked lost in the 1st quarter and fell behind 11-0 to the Skins? The team that looked like a Super Bowl contender in the final 40 minutes of their game Sunday?
One thing to consider is preparation time. Green Bay's game last week didn't end until late Sunday evening in Washington. They had to travel back to Wisconsin and then have to Arizona for a game that will start 6 days later. Arizona on the other hand has sat at home for 2 weeks waiting for their chance to finally get to be healthy at the QB position in the playoffs.
On the injury front, WR Adams is out for the Pack. He has been Rogers most reliable target over the past few weeks. DT Redding and LB Okafor are out for the Cardinals.
Prediction: The injury to Adams really hurts the Packers. Carson Palmer seems poised to make a run at the Super Bowl. The extra preparation time will be the difference. Packers barely cover the points. Arizona 27 Green Bay 21.
Re: Divisional Round
1:05 pm EST Sunday: (1) Panthers vs (6) Seahawks
Seattle is getting a FG in Vegas. I really think that botched kick by Walsh on Sunday could turn the tide in the NFC Super Bowl chase. When a team a talented as Seattle gets a second chance, they usually take advantage of it. However, the Panthers have been the best team all year and they get to play at home after a week of rest.
The injury to keep an eye on throughout the week is Lynch. Pete Carroll indicated he could be a game time decision. If he can't go, expect another full serving of Michael in the backfield. On the flip side, the Panthers will get Stewart back to carry the rock. It appears the Seahawks may be without their Punter (Ryan), too.
The intriguing matchup is the QB position. The 2 QBs that were the class of the league this season square off. Both can run, both can pass, and both are fierce competitors.
My prediction: Seattles Pass Defense vs the Panthers Passing Attack will be the determining factor. I fully expect Seattle to limit much production to any of the outside threats but their weakness all year on defense has been TE seam routes. Carolina has used Olsen effectively all year. At the end of the day, I just can't go against the Seahawks in the NFC playoffs until it's proven otherwise. Give me the Seahawks in Vegas and in Charlotte. Seattle 20 Carolina 10
Seattle is getting a FG in Vegas. I really think that botched kick by Walsh on Sunday could turn the tide in the NFC Super Bowl chase. When a team a talented as Seattle gets a second chance, they usually take advantage of it. However, the Panthers have been the best team all year and they get to play at home after a week of rest.
The injury to keep an eye on throughout the week is Lynch. Pete Carroll indicated he could be a game time decision. If he can't go, expect another full serving of Michael in the backfield. On the flip side, the Panthers will get Stewart back to carry the rock. It appears the Seahawks may be without their Punter (Ryan), too.
The intriguing matchup is the QB position. The 2 QBs that were the class of the league this season square off. Both can run, both can pass, and both are fierce competitors.
My prediction: Seattles Pass Defense vs the Panthers Passing Attack will be the determining factor. I fully expect Seattle to limit much production to any of the outside threats but their weakness all year on defense has been TE seam routes. Carolina has used Olsen effectively all year. At the end of the day, I just can't go against the Seahawks in the NFC playoffs until it's proven otherwise. Give me the Seahawks in Vegas and in Charlotte. Seattle 20 Carolina 10
Re: Divisional Round
4:35 pm EST Sunday: (1) Broncos vs (6) Steelers
This spread is all over the place. I've seen everything this from Broncos -3 to Broncos -6.5 in just the last 2 days. Who knows where it will settle in at. I'm sure the injury report will have a big factor in the game time spread. I'm assuming it will be around Broncos -6. So that's what we will use. Steelers couldn't be more beat up heading into a playoff game. It's very possible that Brown, Ben, and Williams may all be inactive or inefficient on Sunday. At the same time, each of them could be the in the lineup and productive. Who knows.
What do we know? The Steelers just beat the Broncos less than a month ago. It was at home and against the backup QB but they did pull off a huge second half comeback. Peyton will be back but does anything lead anyone to believe he will be his old self. I expect the Steelers to challenge him to throw the deep ball.
Injury news. I think we all know the story on this one. Ben and Brown highlight it. Williams has a shot to go but I wouldn't put any hard earned money on it. Brown is looking doubtful. Steeler fans have been through this with Ben a dozen times. I bet he plays. Denver is looking pretty healthy.
Prediction: The Steelers have battled injuries (and suspensions all year). Somehow they are still in the mix in mid-January. The Steelers defense is healthy and will need to have its best game of the year. I just don't see them being able to bounce back from last week's slugfest. Give me the Broncos even after eating the points. Denver 34 Pittsburgh 17
This spread is all over the place. I've seen everything this from Broncos -3 to Broncos -6.5 in just the last 2 days. Who knows where it will settle in at. I'm sure the injury report will have a big factor in the game time spread. I'm assuming it will be around Broncos -6. So that's what we will use. Steelers couldn't be more beat up heading into a playoff game. It's very possible that Brown, Ben, and Williams may all be inactive or inefficient on Sunday. At the same time, each of them could be the in the lineup and productive. Who knows.
What do we know? The Steelers just beat the Broncos less than a month ago. It was at home and against the backup QB but they did pull off a huge second half comeback. Peyton will be back but does anything lead anyone to believe he will be his old self. I expect the Steelers to challenge him to throw the deep ball.
Injury news. I think we all know the story on this one. Ben and Brown highlight it. Williams has a shot to go but I wouldn't put any hard earned money on it. Brown is looking doubtful. Steeler fans have been through this with Ben a dozen times. I bet he plays. Denver is looking pretty healthy.
Prediction: The Steelers have battled injuries (and suspensions all year). Somehow they are still in the mix in mid-January. The Steelers defense is healthy and will need to have its best game of the year. I just don't see them being able to bounce back from last week's slugfest. Give me the Broncos even after eating the points. Denver 34 Pittsburgh 17