Here are my picks for the Divisional Round of the 2018-19 NFL Playoffs.
Saturday, January 12th
(A6) Indianapolis Colts vs (A1) Kansas City Chiefs- 4:30, NBC: The Colts are coming off an excellent performance in Houston against the Texans in the Wild Card round. The Chiefs had a first round bye and have home field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs. Both of these offenses are lights out with solid offensive lines with MVP favorite Patrick Mahomes leading the way for the Chiefs and the rejuvenated Andrew Luck leading the way for the Colts. The Chiefs defense is perhaps the worst among the remaining playoff teams and the Colts defense is unproven because they haven't seen an offense as good as the Chiefs. This game will have a ton of points scored and it's bound to be a close game and I like Mahomes and that offense to lead the way for Chiefs in their home building.
Prediction: Kansas City 34, Indianapolis 31.
(N4) Dallas Cowboys vs (N2) Los Angeles Rams- 8:15, FOX: The Cowboys are coming off a win in Wild Card weekend against the Seattle Seahawks in which Dak Prescott was clutch throwing and running the ball and the defense made key stops. The Rams had a first round bye in the NFC Playoffs and it's a good thing they got that as Todd Gurley wasn't (and maybe still isn't) healthy. The Rams passing game has not been the same since Cooper Kupp was lost for the season, but CJ Anderson did a solid job running the football in Gurley's absence and I have a feeling he'll be heard from in this game. The Cowboys defense is perhaps the most underrated unit among playoff teams, but I'm not sure how their once vaunted offensive line will stop Aaron Donald on the Rams interior. There will be Cowboys fans in the building, but I think the Rams win courtesy of Donald and a healthier Gurley and Anderson in the running game.
Prediction: LA Rams 27, Dallas 24.
Sunday, January 13th
(A5) Los Angeles Chargers vs (A2) New England Patriots- 1:00, FOX: The Chargers are coming off a good performance (especially on the defensive end) in Baltimore against the Ravens in the Wild Card Round. The Patriots had a first round bye in the playoffs, but it will be determined on Sunday whether it works our for them or not because they clearly haven't been as good as years past on the offensive side of the ball (despite putting up points against two bad teams in their division the last two weeks of the regular season). Tom Brady finally began to show his age this season and Rob Gronkowski is past his prime. Meanwhile the Chargers have athletes on both sides of the ball and Phillip Rivers is motivated to finally come through against the Pats. Give me the Chargers to pull off the road upset.
Prediction: LA Chargers 27, New England 20.
(N6) Philadelphia Eagles vs (N1) New Orleans Saints- 4:40, FOX: The Eagles are coming off a last second win in the Wild Card round over the Chicago Bears courtesy of a Cody Parkey missed field goal as time expired, but shortly before that Nick Foles threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to give the Eagles the lead. The Saints got a much needed first round bye and have home-field advantage in the NFC Playoffs. Drew Brees and the Saints offense hasn't been the same since before the Thursday night loss in Jerry World and a banged up Eagles defense is just what the doctor ordered for the Saints offense to get back on track. Give me the Saints in the Superdome in a game where Foles and the Eagle offense will give it there all in.
Prediction: New Orleans 23, Philadelphia 16.
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