Showing posts with label
#NFL Divisional Round Predictions.
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Showing posts with label
#NFL Divisional Round Predictions.
Show all posts
Courtesy of bleacherreport.com
Well last night was certainly entertaining with the Packers converting 4th down after 4th down, and then sending the game to overtime on a Hail Mary as time ended, only to lose on a coin flip that didn't initially flip, as Arizona marched down the field and scored on a shovel pass to Larry Fitzgerald. The New England - Kansas City game wasn't nearly as exciting, as the Patriots looked like what we expected, and Kansas City put on a display of how to mismanage the clock at the end of the game.
As for today's games, the Seahawks head to Charlotte to take on the Panthers at 1:05PM EST on FOX, and the banged up Steelers face off against the Broncos in Denver at 4:40PM EST on CBS. So, let's get to today's games.
Courtesy of bleacherreport.com
Seattle
at Carolina -2.5
You probably won't find two teams that are more like each other in the playoffs than Carolina and Seattle. Both teams have young dynamic QBs who can extend plays, strong defenses, a power running game, and a receiving corps that wouldn't scare most teams, but somehow manages to make plays when it matters. While there's freezing rain in Charlotte this morning, by game time the weather looks to clear up. Still, the field is going to be damp and cold, but that doesn't really favor either team, as these two teams are built to run the football.
Courtesy of fansided.com
In the often overused words of Charlotte's 2nd most famous resident, To Be The Man, You Gotta Beat The Man. If Carolina wants to claim they're the new dynasty in the NFC, they're going to have to knock the Seahawks off that pedestal. While the Panthers beat Seattle this year in the Pacific Northwest, they're 0-2 against them in the playoffs, but both of those losses have come in Seattle. Panthers fans and players have been dreaming about this type of game since last year. And like a lot of dreams....there's a monster at the end of it.
Courtesy of profootballrosters.com
With Marshawn Lynch back, I'm interested to see how the team chemistry is affected. He's clearly a very good running back, but the Seahawks have actually been better without him. I expect Russell Wilson to make the same kind of plays he made last week, where it appears the Seahawks are done, only to see him find an open receiver to keep the drive alive. However, this year, I think the torch gets passed to the Panthers. They've been the best team in football all year from start to finish, and while Seattle has looked good as of late, I think Carolina is better. The Panthers get Jonathan Stewart back today along with Ted Ginn, Jr., and that allows the Panthers to stretch the field and run the ball effectively. Lastly, Cam Newton has been the unquestioned MVP this year, and I think he'll make one or two more plays than Russell Wilson. Panthers 27 Seahawks 24.
Courtesy of rantsports.com
Pittsburgh
at Denver -7.5
Vontaze Burfict not only took the Bengals out of the playoffs with his play last week, he likely took the Steelers out as well, as Antonio Brown is a no go for today. Big Ben additionally is banged up, but he'll still give it a go. As for the ground game, Deangelo Williams is out again today, so Pittsburgh will again have to rely on Todman and Toussaint to run the ball effectively. I expect a lot of short passes based on Big Ben's injury, so Heath Miller should have a big day.
Courtesy of gannett-cdn.com
As for the Broncos, Peyton Manning didn't look extremely effective in the season finale against San Diego, but he got the job done, and with that defense, as long as he doesn't make mistakes the Broncos should be alright today. Manning hasn't show the ability to throw the ball deep this year with much accuracy so like Big Ben, I expect a lot of quick short passes to compliment a heavy run game. The question is how short of a leash is Peyton on if he struggles, and will Gary Kubiak go to Brock Osweiler?
Courtesy of fansided.com
I think this game is still going to be closer than the spread, but I like Denver to get the win at home based on Pittsburgh's injuries. A Manning - Brady AFC Championship, for what could be the last time, is what America needs. It's too perfect not to happen. Broncos 20 Steelers 17.
Courtesy of heavyeditorial.com
With the Wild Card Round over, we move on to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, which start today, with Kansas City heading to New England at 4:35 PM EST on CBS, and then the nightcap is Green Bay heading to Arizona at 8:15PM EST on NBC. The Chiefs completely obliterated the Texans last week, winning 30-0, as Brian Hoyer threw 4 INTs in the loss. Green Bay took care of business on the road against the Redskins, 35-18 as the Packers looked like their old selves in route to a victory. Things get a lot tougher for both the Chiefs and Packers as they'll continue their road trip against much better teams who have had the benefit of a week's worth of rest. So, let's see how today's games could play out.
Courtesy of kansascity.com
Kansas City
at New England -4.5
I'll start out by saying I think this is going to be a hard fought game from start to finish. New England has some serious medical concerns with Gronk going to a Boston area hospital for knee injections, and Chandler Jones having a bad reaction to synthetic marijuana. The Patriots should have Julian Edelman back, which will help tremendously, but most of the eyes in Foxboro will be on Tom Terrific after his injury in Miami. Kansas City has their own issues with a banged up Jeremy Maclin suffering from an ankle injury. I think all these guys eventually get on the field today. While the team trainer will do his best to get these players ready, it's the playoffs. Outside of you being completely unable to perform, you're playing.
Courtesy of cbssports.com
Alex Smith will protect the ball and he'll make timely throws to Maclin and Travis Kelce from start to finish, but don't expect the Chiefs to suddenly turn into a huge vertical passing attack. You'll see a lot of out routes, check downs, and slants. Kansas City's success if going to be based on it's 3rd down completion percentage. On defense, the Chiefs have to blitz all day. They need to get Tom Brady out of his comfort zone, and with that make shift offensive line, you can bet Justin Houston and Tamba Hali will get the green light early and often.
Courtesy of fansided.com
New England will do what it does, and that's run the ball and give Tom Brady the chance to win the game for them. Like Alex Smith, he'll make timely throws to Edelman and Gronk, but the Patriots have the ability to move the ball down the field at a much better pace than Kansas City. Brady's going to be tested to get rid of the ball quickly, so much as the Patriots did in the Super Bowl, I expect him to throw some short passes early to keep Kansas City honest.
Courtesy of sportingnews.com
The Chiefs are going to give New England some real problems today. The Patriots have not looked impressive in the last month of the season, while Kansas City has looked stellar since starting 1-5. I've gone back and forth on this game, largely based on the injury report, and I think Kansas City could very well pull off the upset today, but I'm still going with the defending Super Bowl Champs to find a way to win. Look for a late score to keep New England's repeat hopes alive. Patriots 24 Chiefs 21.
Courtesy of today.com
Green Bay
at Arizona -7.5
That brings us to the nightcap in the desert. I know very well that the Arizona Cardinals destroyed Green Bay in Week 16, but we'd likely have arrived at the current scenario anyways with Green Bay having to go back to Arizona in the Divisional Round despite that outcome. As for last week, Green Bay looked good against Washington, but Aaron Rodgers's numbers didn't exactly set the world on fire. They won the game by running the ball effectively and playing good defense. Arizona meanwhile, mailed it in against Seattle in Week 17, and that was probably the right move.
Courtesy of fakepigskin.com
Outside of Carolina, the Cardinals have looked like the best team in football from start to finish. They play defense well, they run the ball well, they have a good group of receivers, and they have a top notch QB. Here's an interesting statistic though, Carson Palmer, who is 36 years old and has been in the league since 2003, has never won a playoff game. Granted, he's been the victim of bad fortune having to play in Cincinnati and Oakland, before last year's season ending injury in Arizona, but it's still worth noting that he's never won in the postseason.
Courtesy of fansided.com
That having been said, the Packers are going to have to play flawlessly to win this game. They'll need Rodgers to throw for 300 yards and Eddie Lacy to be able to run the ball effectively against a very good Arizona defense. The good news is that with Mathieu out for the year, they can target the receiver that Patrick Peterson isn't covering. So look for targets to James Jones and Richard Rodgers to open up the running game for Eddie Lacy. On the defensive side of the ball Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers are going to have to get to Carson Palmer if they want to have any chance to get the Cardinals off the field. Palmer has played extremely well all season, and if the Packers give him time, he'll pick them apart.
Courtesy of nydailynews.com
I think Arizona jumps out to an early lead today, and they run the ball well to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field. I do expect the Packers to make a late charge and get a back door cover, but I still think this game is Arizona's to lose. Cardinals 31 Packers 24.
