After NFL Divisionals this weekend, Cowboys will face Rams, Chiefs will face Colts

The Divisional round of the NFL playoffs takes place this weekend and should be an exciting weekend of football. There are teams looking for redemption from last year’s playoffs like the Saints, Rams and Chiefs. There are teams trying to show they belong in the playoffs after missing them last year such as the Colts, Cowboys and Chargers. 

The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles are still looking to defend their title, and you can’t forget about Tom Brady and the Patriots looking to continue their dynasty. 

It should be a good one, and I am here to give my predictions for the divisional round.

Chiefs vs. Colts

The Colts went into Houston and ran all over the Texans last week in their very convincing wild card win. The Colts have been on an absolute tear going 10-1 in their past 11 games and scoring at least 23 points in all of those wins. 

I think the Chief’s bye week will come back to haunt them as the Colts will come in and steamroll the Chief’s mediocre defense. Even with the amount of firepower the Chiefs are stocked with on offense, I think the dominance on both sides of the line for the Colts will push them to a close victory. 

I think both teams will play very good football with minimal mistakes and turnovers, but in a big playoff game with a lot of pressure, I have to go with a more experienced Andrew Luck than a first year starter Patrick Mahomes, as good as he is. 

If Mahomes is able to be patient and not turn the ball over, then I think the Chiefs have a good possibility of winning, but I think Luck will prove that he is still a top five quarterback after coming back from a lengthy injury. 

I’m taking the Colts, 21-20.

Patriots vs. Chargers

You can never count the Patriots out with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick at the helm, especially at home, but I think the Chargers will come in and show that they are the more well rounded team and steal a win from the Patriots. 

The Chargers are tied for sixth in PPG and eighth in PPG allowed, along with an 8-0 record outside of LA. The Chargers travel well, and with a dangerous secondary including Desmond King, Casey Hayward and DROTY candidate Derwin James, Tom Brady will have a difficult time moving the ball downfield in chunks. 

The only flaw in the Chargers play in their wild card matchup against the Ravens was their inability to shut the Ravens out of the game in the fourth quarter, allowing 14 fourth quarter points after allowing just 3 in the first three quarters. 

Brady can strike at any time, so the Chargers must come prepared to play a full 60 minutes of tough, physical football if they want to continue on the road to the Super Bowl. If the Patriots want to come out on top, they simply need to play Patriots football. Smart, methodical football with emphasis on bigs such as Rob Gronkowski and James Develin can win them the game. 

I’m taking the Chargers, 30-24.

Saints vs. Eagles

The Eagles barely escaped the Bear’s grasps with a potential game winning kick getting tipped and hitting the crossbar by Bears kicker Cody Parkey. Nick Foles didn’t have the greatest game with two interceptions, but the Eagles defense played outstanding and was able to bend but not break the whole game. 

Unfortunately for them, they won’t be going up against a Mitchell Trubisky-led offense this week. After a physically grueling wild card game, I don’t have much faith in the Eagles defense to slow down Drew Brees coming off of two weeks of rest, and I don’t think Foles can out-sling Brees in a shootout.  

Unless Foles can create some more magic and have a career day, I just can’t see the Eagles having enough strength to deal with Brees and the Saint’s potent offense in New Orleans. 

I’m taking the Saints, 34-20.

Rams vs. Cowboys

After an impressive win over the Seahawks on wild card weekend, the Cowboys should feel pretty good. Ezekiel Elliott looked great with 137 yard and a TD, Amari Cooper raked in 106 receiving yards and the offensive line showed why they are the best in the league giving Dak Prescott plenty of time in the pocket. 

The only problem I have with the Cowboys offense is Prescott, especially after losing WR Allen Hurns to a horrific season ending injury. I don’t know if Prescott has the play-making ability to win the game for his team.  

The Rams can and will put up points against the Cowboys, as they come in with the second most PPG at 32.9. Aaron Donald will be constantly applying pressure the Cowboys and can only rely on Elliott for so long before Prescott has to start making big plays. If Prescott can step up to the challenge and have a career day, I think the Cowboys can come up with an upset. Unfortunately, I don’t think it will happen. 

I’m taking the Rams, 26-17

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