NFL divisional playoffs are the best of the post-season; who will win?
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins are not in the post-season and Wild Card weekend is in the past. Now it’s on to the NFL and their best weekend of playoffs. Division round.
In the NFL there are only two weekends that have four games spread over the two days but the Wild Card weekend can sometimes be boring. It really ramps up during the division games.
This weekend there is a lot to get pumped for as a football fan. The Rams will take on the Cowboys and the Saints who own home field advantage will face the Super Bowl defending champion Eagles. Over in the AFC the Chiefs will host the Colts with snow falling at Arrowhead Stadium while the Patriots will host the Chargers in New England.
For the Miami Dolphins this weekend could release their future coach should the Patriots lose. The Patriots are near perfect at home and the Chargers are near perfect, 8-1, on the road. Money however is on the Patriots to advance to yet another AFC Championship game. For all the talk of the Chargers high-powered offense they have been rather pedestrian of late.
The Chiefs and Colts may have the most entertainment in the AFC. Snow has been falling much of the morning and it is expected to fall again at some point during the first half. That game kicks off at 4:25 eastern today while the Patriots and Chargers will play on Sunday.
Later tonight the Rams will try to throw their incredibly efficient offense at a Cowboys defense that recently shut down Drew Brees and his stellar Saints offense. Will it be a defensive struggle or an offensive showcase?
Sunday might be even more interesting as the Eagles head to New Orleans to take on Brees. The Eagles haven’t looked great but for whatever reason Nick Foles seems to shine in the post-season. Last week he enginered a late fourth quarter touchdown against the NFL’s best defense in Chicago but they still needed a blocked field goal to seal the win.
Predictions
Chiefs over the Colts. The Colts should keep this one close and tight thanks to the weather that could force both teams to rely more on the run. The Chiefs are good running the ball but they are by far better passing it around. The Colts are a little more balanced and have a better defensive line. Still the Chiefs at home is going to be tough for the Colts.
Patriots over the Chargers: Gillete Stadium in January with the visiting team traveling clear across the country? Yeah not looking good for Phillip Rivers chances. Besides the Chargers haven’t been playing great as of late offensively.
Saints over the Eagles: The Eagles are peaking but the Saints have been peaking all year-long. That will continue against an Eagles defense that is good but not great. The Saints offense is great.
Rams over the Cowboys: Honestly this could go either way. If the Cowboys play like they did against Drew Brees a few weeks back they will keep the Rams fast paced high-octane offense off the field. Zeke Elliot will be a key for the Cowboys but I’m putting my money on Sean McVay’s offense.