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Here is my preview of the NFL Divisional Round games for this weekend:
Saturday Games:
Houston at Kansas City - Now admittedly, I was wrong to pick against the Texans last weekend. One of the things which I said was that they just never really convinced me as a serious contender. Then, they went out and blew out the Chargers. Still, my expectations for this one are that they will likely lose, and convincingly. Beating the Chargers at home in the dome in Houston is one thing. Going on the road to frigid Kansas City to play the Chiefs in Arrowhead is quite another. The Chiefs should be well rested following weeks off, including the regular season finale when they sat their starters, and then again last week during Wildcard weekend. Andy Reid should have his team ready and focused. Patrick Mahomes still has an unpredictable and improvisational style that will make the job for Houston's defense much more difficult. KC obviously has a ton of experience, and they just always seem to find ways to win these kinds of games. They defeated the Texans about a month ago, which means that both these teams have some degree of familiarity with one another. But expect the Chiefs to find a way to win this one, whether it remains close or not.
My pick: Kansas City
Washington at Detroit - This should be an entertaining game between two teams lacking serious familiarity with each other. The Commanders should feel confident after earning the one and only win so far by a road team in these playoffs. However, they face a much taller ladder to climb this week up in Detroit. Of course, the game will be played in a dome, so weather will not be a factor. Still, the Lions earned some much needed rest last weekend after earning home field advantage throughout the week before, and for the first time in franchise history. The Lions do not have the pressure of having to earn their first postseason win in decades, since they did that last year. In fact, the Lions likely have the superiority in terms of playoff experience between these two teams, which is a rarity for the franchise. But after the most successful regular season in franchise history, the atmosphere in the Motor City should be absolutely electric for this one. I expect the Lions to come out roaring, and to find a way to win fairly comfortably. They should have the game well in hand before the fourth quarter rolls around. The Commanders have been tough and managed some real miracles all season, but I suspect that there will be no miracles left at the end of this one.
My pick: Detroit
Sunday Games:
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia - This should be another good one. The Rams have some solid playoff experience, and are riding high after defeating the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings soundly last weekend, in dominant fashion. However, going on the road to face the Eagles in Philadelphia will be tough. The weather should be foul, which I expect should benefit the hometown Eagles. The Rams clearly have some explosiveness on offense. And again, this team has made the postseason often in recent seasons, including a Super Bowl title a few years ago. So expect them to put up a tough fight. But the Eagles will likely play a ball control game, with Saquon Barkley and the Philly O line doing what they have done best all year long. They will run the ball down the throats of the Los Angeles defense, and in so doing, they will most likely control the clock and wear down that Rams defense. My expectations are that the Eagles come out with a win, although I do expect the Rams to be tough and to keep it close. In fact, they might have the best chance (either them or the Ravens) for a road team to pull off an upset win. Nevertheless, my pick right now is for the home team for this one.
My pick: Philadelphia
Baltimore at Buffalo - This figures to be the best game of the bunch. Both of these teams are playing lights out, and appear to be peaking at the right time. The Ravens went from two games behind Pittsburgh with four weeks left to play, to winning the division by a comfortable two game margin at the end of the regular season, winning their final five games, then adding a sixth in the Wildcard showdown with those same Steelers last weekend. Meanwhile, the Bills won 10 of 11 games in the regular season before losing a meaningless game played mostly without their starters in the regular season finale. During that stretch, they earned some impressive wins, particularly against the Chiefs and at Detroit, the two teams which ended with the best overall regular season records in the league this season. So each team has been pretty hot recently. These two teams did meet earlier this season, with the Ravens blowing out the Bills, 35-10. However, that was early this season, and the game was playing in Baltimore. It feels safe to say that both teams are different than they were at that point. This coming game will be played up in Buffalo, and it will be played in frigid temperatures, and with inclimate weather (possibly snow). That might change things quite a bit, although the visiting Ravens are no strangers to the cold and bad weather themselves. Both teams should come in with a lot of confidence, and both should realistically feel that they can win this game. It should really be a slugfest. Expect an entertaining game, and one which could very well go down to the wire. My expectations are that the hometown Bills will come up with just enough goods to win this one.
My pick: Buffalo.
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