We had a so-so Wild Card weekend, with Adam taking a narrow lead overall. But now the stakes are higher as the top two teams from each conference will make their 2018 postseason debuts this weekend.
Once again, below Adam and I will each have a little more in-depth analysis of the games this weekend and our final score picks, which will count as picks both straight up and against the spread.
Let's get to it!
Saturday Afternoon
Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs (-5.0)
Lucas: Another year, another playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. History hasn't been kind to the Chiefs at home in January, where they have won a grand total of two games. That includes several early exits under Andy Reid, and honestly that's how I see this one going too. I think Patrick Mahomes will have himself a halfway decent game, but I don't know that the Chiefs' defense will be able to stop Andrew Luck, even in a game where the weather will play a factor. The Legacy of Failure gets another chapter added to it. Colts 24, Chiefs 20
Adam: The week off can be either really good or really bad for the Chiefs. I am going with bad, at least with the final result. I am taking the veteran Luck over younger Kermit. I see the game starting fast with 4 touchdowns in the first quarter. It settles in for the rest of the game and comes down to a extra point versus two point attempt. Kansas City goes for it and fails. Colts 35, Chiefs 34
Saturday Night
Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Rams (-7.0)
Lucas: I don't know that I like the home team in this scenario either. Jason Garrett and the Cowboys aren't going up against their playoff nemesis in the Packers, and seem to have things figured out this season, knocking off an upstart Seahawks team that had to play without their kicker for significant chunks of the game. I definitely don't see a Rams team that's come back down to earth doing a ton of damage against a pretty good Cowboys defense. They'll not only keep Goff and company in check, they'll somehow find their way into the NFC Championship Game. God help us all. Cowboys 20, Rams 14
Adam: Regardless of the fact that this should be my Bears playing in this game, I don’t see the Cowboys winning. They will be competitive and have some bright spots but ultimately will fall short. This game comes down to a fight between the Dallas defense and the Rams' offense. Experience and pure grit win out and the Rams, in come from behind fashion, win late. Rams 28, Cowboys 25
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots (-4.0)
Lucas: This ought to be good. Touchdown Tom getting another crack at his sixth ring, and this time he has a number of factors on his side. It's a home playoff game, where he's been all but unbeatable (he hasn't lost in Foxborough in January since January of 2011), he's taking on a Chargers team who, under Philip Rivers, has never beaten his team, and it's an early kickoff. All three of these factors seem to fly in the face of a Chargers team that hasn't lost outside of California all season, but I just don't see that trend continuing here. Belichick had an extra week to prepare, and he'll be ready for what may turn into something of a laugher. Patriots 34, Chargers 20
Adam: In a high scoring affair due to both defenses being sub-par relative to other teams, Old Man Brady shows his age and forgets what he is doing, maybe even a old man injury. This game will start fast and end fast. I see some sloppy play, turnovers and just general craziness. Chargers 42, Patriots 37
Sunday, Late Afternoon
Philadelphia Eagles @ New Orleans Saints (-8.0)
Lucas: This is a hard one to call. The Eagles didn't play great this past week, but they made plays when it counted, marching downfield late to take the lead against the vaunted Bears defense then just barely tipped the potential game-winner to turn Cody Parkey into a meme and somehow a tragic figure. Nick Foles is unbeatable in the postseason; this much seems clear. But they're going into New Orleans, one of the toughest places to play, going up against a Saints team that took them behind the woodshed during the regular season there. I think the Saints still hang on and kill the legend of Saint Nick Foles, but not without a fight. Saints 31, Eagles 28
Adam: In a sick twist of fate Philly won not by them winning but by the Bears losing. There is a difference. Philly has no business in this game and with Brees doing god like things in the Dome, nothing, not even Napoleon, can stop them. Brees for 400 and three touchdowns, Kamara for 150 and two. That’s is all you need to know about this game. NoLo will be your champs this year and they will show us all why. Saints 39, Eagles 21
Records So Far
Lucas: 1-3 straight up; 2-2 against the spread
Adam: 2-2 straight up, 2-2 against the spread
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