Steve Penepent | @Puma585
Saturday, January 16, 2016 | BataviasBest.org
The NFL Playoffs have moved to the Divisional Round this weekend, I went 3-1 on my Wildcard picks last week my only miss was the Packers against Washington. All the road teams won last week, will the same happen this week? These games have the top 2 seeds in each conference in action. Here are my Divisional Round thoughts and picks.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots
This is the first time Andy Reid and Bill Belichick are facing each other in the playoffs since that Eagles/Patriots Superbowl. KC is without their leading receiver in Jeremy Maclin with a high ankle sprain, and New England is without their leading rusher in LeGarrette Blount (not like the Patriots run the ball that much anyway). The Patriots however are getting healthy at the right time and will be getting playmakers back on offense and defense for this game. I hope for Kansas City to stay hot and win their 12th straight game, but I can’t pick against New England at home in the playoffs.
My Pick: New England Patriots
Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals
3 weeks ago the Packers got shellacked by the Cardinals 38-8. Green Bay has since rebounded and won impressively against a Redskin team that overachieved this season. But the Packers may have something else going for them. Carson Palmer is the only remaining quarterback without a postseason win (0-2) when he starts (left game after first pass in 2005 playoffs). The 4 quarterbacks eliminated in the Wild Card round had all never started in the postseason prior to this year. I like both teams and but I picked against the Packers last week and they won, but I still like Arizona’s defense and that they’re playing at home.
My Pick: Arizona Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers
Seattle had no business winning against the Vikings but if the laces were out instead of in for Vikings kicker Blair Walsh maybe things would be different. Seattle moves on and their only question is if Marshawn Lynch is even on the team anymore? But Carolina beat Seattle at their house earlier this season and Seattle will try to repay the Panthers this weekend. I love the evolution of Cam Newton, he’s done everything for this team since being drafted, but with a 15-1 record the pressure has never been more on one player than Cam. The last 15-1 team to win the Superbowl was the ’85 Bears, Ron Rivera was on that team. Hopefully the Panthers have an answer for the red hot Seahawks, but I see Seattle playing spoiler.
My Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos
Big Ben has torn ligiments and a sprained AC joint, DeAngelo Williams has a hurt foot, and Antonio Brown is going through the concussion protocol. The Steelers left Cincy battered and bruised and they get to face a top Denver defense this week. Peyton Manning gets the start this week and that is what should happen, it’s Peyton Manning. But, in the playoffs, Manning hasn’t been so stellar. These teams always put on a classic when they meet in the playoffs and I suspect the same to happen this week. It’s hard for me to pick against the Steelers because they are always dangerous when in the playoffs, but injuries and the Broncos defense makes Denver the favorite.
My Pick: Denver Broncos
Enjoy the games today.
Other articles you may like:
Wild Card Weekend: Even though the Bills are out of the playoffs, you can still enjoy the games
