Wild Card Results
By now you have probably heard of the winners and losers from last weeks Wild Card games. According to ESPN it was a bad day for most of the home teams. The only home team to win was the Dallas Cowboys when they defeated the Seattle Seahawks 22-24. The Texans were one of my pics to go all the way earlier this year but they fell to the surging Colts 21-7. The crazy puzzle that has been the Ravens running game was solved when the Chargers beat them 23-17. The Bears lost to the Eagles 16-15, with a missed “Double Doink” of the goal post field goal.
Saturday Divisional Games
The first game on the block for Saturday is the Colts at the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium at 4:35 pm ET. When Andrew Luck came on the seen he was the arguably the hottest QB to hit the NFL that year. This weekend he faces off against no doubt the hottest rookie QB in the league this year. Luck and Mahomes face off on Saturday to see who will advance to the Conference Championship game. ESPN has the Chiefs at nearly a 75 percent chance of beating the Colts. Can Luck win out against the Chiefs and Mahomes magic?
The second game Saturday will be the Cowboys visiting the Rams in Los Angeles at Memorial Coliseum at 8:15 pm ET. The Rams have a better then 78 percent chance of beating the Cowboys on Saturday night. This game will highlight two great running backs, Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliot. The question will be, can Dak Prescott QB, Dallas keep up with Jared Goff QB, Rams and his array of receivers?
Sunday Divisional Games
The early game on Sunday puts Phillip Rivers QB, Chargers against Tom Brady QB, Patriots in Gillett Stadium at 1:05 pm ET. Rivers is having one of his best years to date while Tom has struggled at times this season. Can Brady and his crew mount another Super Bowl run or will Rivers flow through New England. The Pats are a 65 percent favorite to beat the Chargers but this season has proven that if any team can travel and win in hostile territory it’s the Chargers.
The late game is the Eagles at the Saints in Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans at 4:40 pm ET. The Saints have been the gold standard this year in the NFL. Drew Brees has been at the top of his game and has a running game and receiving core to match his stellar performance this year. The Eagles once again will depend on the mojo of Nick Foles and the way the Eagles players step-up and bring the heat for him. They will need it as the favorite to win this game by 80 percent is the Saints.
Picks
I figured I would refrain from the Bold Predictions this week as I think its anyone’s game at this point in the season. But I still like to try to pick the winners.
The first game between the Colts and Chiefs I am going to go with the Colts. I believe the way they have been playing both offensively and defensively they are primed to beat the favored KC Chiefs.
The next game between the Cowboys and the Rams, I am going to go with the favorite Rams. I just do not think the Cowboys can keep pace with the Rams attack on offense. The defense of Dallas is also somewhat of an enigma as one week they are outstanding and another they are no stand outs.
On Sunday the game between the Chargers and the Patriots I am going with the Chargers. I think the Chargers travel better then any team out right now. If Rivers can keep from turning over the ball they should have no problem taking the “W” in this one.
The last game of the weekend in my opinion is a blow out. I think the Saints will have no issues handling the Eagles in this one. The Saints are studs at home and I just don’t believe anyone can handle them in the Dome right now.