Saturday Games:
AFC:
Tennessee Titans
vs.
Kansas City Chiefs
Tennessee Titans (9-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) - The first game on tap this weekend features the visiting Tennessee Titans visiting Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs. The Chiefs are pretty solidly favored to win this one. Remember when KC dominated the Patriots in the season opener, and followed that up with a mighty impressive 5-0 start? Well, that was a long time ago. The Chiefs wound up losing six of seven games at one stretch, and looked in serious jeopardy of actually losing the division race and missing the playoffs. But they rebounded in a big way, and just in the nick of time, as they won their final four games to clinch the AFC West title, which is how they earned this home game against the Titans. So, the main question seems to be which Chiefs team will show up? Will it be the impressive version, the one that started off 5-0, beating the Patriots up in New England, and finished with four straight wins? Or will it be the more troubled version, the one that struggled on offense, and went 1-6 in the middle of the season? The Titans qualified for the playoffs, but just barely, and have not looked particularly impressive in over one month. They lack the experience and, frankly, the talent, to just beat the Chiefs in Arrowhead. So, it seems like it really is up to KC to get the job done here. And the way that they have been playing leads me to believe that they will in fact get the job done, and earn a playoff win this Wildcard weekend. Whether or not they have what it takes to keep winning, that is another question, but they should have enough to get past the Titans. My pick: Kansas City
NFC:
Atlanta Falcons
vs.
Los Angeles Rams
Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Los Angeles Rams (11-5) - The Rams are favored to win this one. However, the Falcons have been pretty good on the road, and they really ended the season on a hot note. That could mean that home field advantage does not work out too well for Los Angeles. Yet, the Rams have a solid offense. They can run, and they can pass. On defense, they could be vulnerable against the run, and the Falcons might be able to take advantage there. Their passing defense is decent, but can they contain Atlanta's potent passing offense, especially if they are on? These two teams did not meet this season. They did meet last season, with the Falcons tearing the Rams up, 42-14, but both teams were in a very different place at that point. For some reason, I have a feeling that the Falcons produce the upset in this one, largely die to the invariable. The Falcons have more playoff experience, and tend to play well in the big games, which goes with the superior experience. The Rams should be well rested, but Atlanta has had their backs against the wall throughout the season, and they won six of their last eight games. That gives me the feeling that they should come out on top in this one. My pick: Atlanta
Sunday Games
AFC:
Buffalo Bills
vs.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Buffalo Bills (9-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6) - The second AFC Wildcard game on tap this weekend will feature the Buffalo Bills at the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville are pretty heavy favorite to win this particular contest. Yet, I believe that the Bills have a chance at pulling off a major upset here. First of all, Florida is experiencing uncharacteristically cold weather, but obviously, the Bills are more used to it. That may or may not be a factor, but bad weather would seem to favor the Bills. The Jaguars have been particularly effective running the ball, while Buffalo's defense against the run was relatively weak. That could be a real problem for the Bills, especially if Jax takes a sizable lead early. why? Because the Jaguars have a great defense against the pass, while the Bills rated very poorly as a passing offense. Those times this season when the Jaguars blew out opponents, they were able to use that combination of solid running game and tough defense against the pass to great effect. The Bills are not a great offensive team, so they need to hold the Jaguars offense, keep them in check, and keep this game close. If they do that, they will give themselves a real shot. However, the Jaguars won the division title for a reason. My guess is that they show why in this game. My pick: Jacksonville
NFC:
Carolina Panthers
vs.
New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers (11-5) at New Orleans Saints (11-5) - New Orleans is favored to win a third game against Carolina in this one, even though winning three times against the same team in one season is historically rare. Both of these teams have solid run games, but the Saints enjoy a very dangerous pass offense, as well. The Saints offense is very good, rated just under the New England Patriots overall. Much of their strength was with their running game, but the Panthers have a solid run defense. If the Saints need to rely on their passing game more heavily, that should not be a problem. They have Drew Brees, after all. New Orleans statistically has a middle of the pack defense, although at times, they have played extremely well. There are other variables, as well. The Saints swept the Panthers, winning both of those earlier season meetings. But that was when the Panthers did not have Greg Olsen, who could prove to be a big factor. However, the Panthers looked not just bad last weekend, but truly awful. They bore almost no resemblance to a playoff team, frankly. Cam Newton still adds a dimension of extra mobility and unpredictability to Carolina's offense, but that was not a deciding factor against New Orleans in those other games, or in last week's humbling loss at Atlanta. The Saints were able to put up a decent amount of points in the two previous meetings, and with home field advantage and a more complete offense, I see no reason why they cannot do that again in this game. They should have enough to get past the Panthers in this one. My pick; New Orleans
No comments:
Post a Comment