2017-18 NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Round Picks

Here are my picks for the Wild Card round of the 2017-18 NFL playoffs

Saturday, January 6th
(A5) Tennessee Titans (9-7) vs (A4) Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)- 4:20, ABC/ESPN: These two teams did not meet in the regular season. Tennessee is coming off a divisional home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars to clinch one of the two AFC Wild Card spots. Kansas City is coming off a divisional road win in Denver against the Broncos in a meaningless game that Pat Mahomes started in. The Titans have underachieved this season relative to preseason expectations and Marcus Mariota threw more interceptions than touchdown passes this season. The Chiefs have had a tail of three seasons at this point winning their first five games, than losing six of their next seven, followed by winning their final four games. That said, the Chiefs are the pick here over a Tennessee team that probably shouldn't have made the playoffs and who could fire Mike Mularkey if they lose here.
Prediction: Kansas City 27, Tennessee 16.

(N6) Atlanta Falcons (10-6) vs (N3) Los Angeles Rams (11-5)- 8:15, NBC: These two teams did not meet in the regular season. Atlanta is coming off a huge divisional home win over the Carolina Panthers to clinch the final NFC Wild Card spot. Los Angeles is coming off a divisional home loss against the San Francisco 49ers in which they sat starters in. Atlanta isn't the same team they were last season in which they had some questionable losses as well and the loss of offensive coordinator now 49ers coach Kyle Shannahan proved to be huge. Los Angeles has been amazing all season blowing out a ton of teams and Sean McVay proved to be an excellent hire and is the favorite for Coach of the Year. My pick here is the Rams and MVP candidate Todd Gurley will lead the way.
Prediction: Los Angeles 31, Atlanta 20.

Sunday, January 7th
(A6) Buffalo Bills (9-7) vs (A3) Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)- 1:00, CBS: These two teams did not meet in the regular season. Buffalo is coming off a divisional road win in Miami over the Dolphins and courtesy of Andy Dalton and the Bengals upsetting the Ravens in Baltimore, the Bills are in the playoffs. Jacksonville is coming off a divisional road loss in Nashville against the Titans in a meaningless game that the Titans needed to have. Buffalo is very up and down and have has some nice wins and just awful losses. Jacksonville has had some nice wins and some difficult losses as well and Blake Bortles has been inconsistent. That said, the Jags defense has been outstanding all season long and I see them slowing down Tyrod Taylor and the Bills here whether LeSean McCoy plays or not.
Prediction: Jacksonville 23, Buffalo 10.

(N5) Carolina Panthers (11-5) vs (N4) New Orleans Saints (11-5)- 4:40, FOX: These two teams met twice in the regular season due to the fact that they're in the same division and the Saints won both matchups. Carolina is coming off a divisional road loss in Atlanta against the Falcons. New Orleans is coming off a divisional road loss in Tampa against the Buccaneers and they still won the NFC South thanks to the Panthers losing. Carolina has been up and down this season and when Greg Olsen and Luke Kuechly are healthy, they are at their best. New Orleans is in the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and their defense is improved led by Cameron Jordan and Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Marshon Lattimore as well as  their running game led by Mark Ingram and Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite Alvin Kamara. Drew Brees will be motivated and he and the running game will lead the way for the Saints.
Prediction: New Orleans 31, Carolina 24.