2017 NFL Divisional Preview

We're fast approaching another weekend, and the NFL playoffs are in full swing. Just eight teams remain in the quest for the Lombardi Trophy, and the four best teams from this past season are back in action this weekend.

All in all, last weekend was relatively uneventful unless you're one of the idiots who's blowing the whole Giants-On-The-Boat thing out of proportion. Them spending the off day with their families back home or whatever probably wouldn't have changed their defense getting torched by Aaron Rodgers in the final 35 minutes of the game.

So with that out of the way, let's take a look at the four games on tap this weekend.


Saturday Afternoon

(3) Seattle Seahawks @ (2) Atlanta Falcons

We get a rematch of what was a very good 2012 playoff matchup in the same building, though the teams aren't quite the same. Matt Ryan had an excellent, arguably MVP-caliber year, and his run game was no slouch with Devonta Freeman leading the way alongside Tevin Coleman. This is a susceptible defense, however, that allowed a ton of yards and points, and was one of the worst teams against the pass all year, both in terms of yards allowed, and in sack rate. They'll need to be better against a mobile Russell Wilson. He's got an underrated receiving corps, and Seattle's ground game just had success against an also subpar Lions' run defense. It could pose trouble, but the Seahawks are also down Earl Thomas, which might pose some problems. Seattle won the regular season matchup between these two teams, but that was in Week 5 and the game was in Seattle. I expect Atlanta to have the firepower to keep up with what their subpar defense may allow, and home field is just enough to tip the scales.

Prediction: Falcons 27, Seahawks 24

Saturday Night

(4) Houston Texans @ (1) New England Patriots

Brock Osweiler looked like a competent NFL quarterback and Jadeveon Clowney finally arrived last week as the Texans held serve at home against a depleted Raiders team. That's all fine and good for the Texans, but they're going into Foxboro in January against Pissed Off Tom Brady. There's a reason the line for this game is so high. Some of it has to do with Brady putting up MVP-caliber numbers despite ultimately succumbing to Roger Goodell's witch hunt, and New England's defense led the league in scoring defense. Combine that with the fact that Brock Osweiler is still Brock Osweiler, and this one will probably be over by halftime.

Prediction: Patriots 38, Texans 10

Sunday, Early Afternoon

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers @ (2) Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs posted the best takeaway numbers in the NFL this season and finished seventh in scoring defense, which they are going to need every bit of this week. The problem is, they allowed a ton of yards and have a below average run defense. Going up against Le'Veon Bell, then, is not ideal. I'm also not sure how Kansas City plans to deal with Antonio Brown, who carved up the Dolphins' secondary this past week after the catch. The Chiefs have a better secondary, but would you trust Alex Smith to outscore Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown? I know I wouldn't.

Prediction: Steelers 28, Chiefs 17

Sunday Night

(4) Green Bay Packers @ (1) Dallas Cowboys

This one has me a little scared. The Cowboys are just two years removed from the Dez Drop game up at Lambeau, and a number of these guys have playoff experience. The question is will rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott be ready for the playoff atmosphere? I don't think that part will be a problem, and the Cowboys have already beaten the Packers once by a pretty convincing margin up in Green Bay. The concern for the Packers is to a degree about containing Dez Bryant, but more so about making sure Elliott doesn't run wild. Jordy Nelson's potential absence could also pose a problem, but the breakout occurred after he went back to the locker room, and Aaron Rodgers is on fire and playing indoors. I could see this game going either way, and it will probably be a high scoring affair. Ultimately, because the Divisional Round generally favors the home teams and I've already picked one upset, I think Rodgers has a great day, but the defense surrenders a late score and the Cowboys move on. I hope I'm wrong.

Prediction: Cowboys 38, Packers 35

Record So Far
3-1 Straight Up
2-2 Against the Spread