2017-18 NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Picks

Here are my picks for the Divisional Round of the 2017-18 NFL playoffs.

Saturday, January 13th
(N6) Atlanta Falcons vs (N1) Philadelphia Eagles- 4:35, NBC: Atlanta is coming off an excellent Wild Card Round road win in Los Angeles against the Rams in which they played well in all phases. Philadelphia had a first round bye, but they lost Carson Wentz for the season and now Nick Foles is starting and they are the first team in NFL history to be a home underdog as a one-seed in the Divisional Round. The Eagles defense has shown leaks over the past month as well and that and the fact that Wentz is out, I love the Falcons here on the road to put on a similar performance like they did in Los Angeles.
Prediction: Atlanta 27, Philadelphia 13.

(A5) Tennessee Titans vs (A1) New England Patriots- 8:15, CBS: Tennessee is coming off an improbable Wild Card Round road win in Kansas City against the Chiefs in which they were down 21-3 at halftime and Marcus Mariota threw a touchdown pass to himself to get the Titans going in that second half. New England had a first time round and that helps them from a health standpoint so some of their key players can get healthy. The biggest story involving the Pats though is a story from ESPN's Seth Wickersham saying that there was turmoil with Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft. I don't think the reported rift will distract this team as they'll cruise here against a Titans team that got lucky last weekend.
Prediction: New England 33, Tennessee 16.

Sunday, January 14th
(A3) Jacksonville Jaguars vs (A2) Pittsburgh Steelers- 1:00, CBS: These two teams met very early in the season and the Jaguars won in Pittsburgh and Ben Rothlisberger had the worst game of his career and threw five interceptions. Jacksonville is coming off a Wild Card Round home win over the Buffalo Bills in which Blake Bortles was bad, but Tyrod Taylor was worse and the Jags defense led the way. Pittsburgh had a first round bye and like the Pats, it helped them from a health standpoint. Antonio Brown will be back for the Steelers and I don't see Big Ben throwing five picks again so give me the Steelers to win comfortably and I don't trust Blake Bortles against a good team on the road, especially in the playoffs.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 30, Jacksonville 16.

(N4) New Orleans Saints vs (N2) Minnesota Vikings- 4:30, FOX: This is the weekends best game and these two teams met earlier in the season and the Vikings won the matchup although a lot has changed within these two teams since than. New Orleans is coming off a great Wild Card Round home win over the Carolina Panthers. Minnesota had a first round bye, so they'll be ready for this. Despite winning, I didn't love what I saw from the Saints defensively and I think Case Keenum can throw on him and Adam Thielen has been getting wide open all season long. That said, I like the Vikings in a close one and I believe they can slow down the running tandem of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, similar to what the Panthers did.
Prediction: Minnesota 24, New Orleans 21.