All four teams that won last week have the same game time this week. That has nothing to do with anything. Just a fun fact that I'm not sure has ever happened before.
Outside of Colts-Texans and the first three quarters of Chargers-Ravens, we had some really entertaining games last week. And now we move on to what many consider the best week in football. The Divisional Playoffs. The four best teams in the league are well-rested and at home, knowing that they're two wins away from the Super Bowl. Although, if last week's winners play like that again, all four home teams could definitely be vulnerable. Whoever plays in the conference championship games is definitely going to earn it.
Colts (11-6) at Chiefs (12-4): Kansas City-Kansas City has never beaten Indianapolis in the playoffs in four all-time meetings. And the last one, which wasn't too long ago, featured that ridiculous Andrew Luck comeback in the fourth quarter, as Indy won 45-44. You know that game is in the back of the Chiefs' minds. As are the two-point loss to the Steelers two years ago and the one-point loss to Tennessee last season. So, for all their regular season success, the pressure is definitely on for the AFC's No. 1 seed.
If the Chiefs want to shed that label as a great regular season team and get the monkey off Andy Reid's back (did it follow him from Philadelphia?), they can't have another playoff one-and-done. Especially with home field advantage (even though those losses to Pittsburgh and Tennessee were both at home). Especially with a team this good. The Chiefs have a chance to reach their first AFC Championship Game in 25 years. But they're definitely gonna need to earn it.
Of course, streaking Indianapolis is the team no one wants to face right now. The Colts thoroughly dismantled the Texans last week for their 10th win in 11 games. If they play like that again, Kansas City won't be able to get away with any mistakes. I'm not saying the Chiefs need to play the perfect game, but Patrick Mahomes' first playoff start can't be like DeShaun Watson's. I don't think it will be. This Chiefs team is too good. Get ready for the AFC Championship Game to be in Kansas City for the first time ever.
Cowboys (11-6) at Rams (13-3): Rams-Other than the Eagles, there was probably no team happier Cody Parkey hit the post than the Los Angeles Rams. Now, instead of playing the Bears, they're playing the Cowboys (and the Saints have to deal with Philadelphia). Which is a much better matchup for them.
That was an impressive performance Dallas had against Seattle. But that was at Jerry's World, and we all know they're a totally different team away from home. So, doing it again on the road against a rested Rams offense is a different proposition altogether. Having to play for a bye in Week 17 might've been a good thing for them. Because they got their offensive mojo back. And the Dallas defense they'll face is nothing compared to the Bears defense that held them to six points in the regular season. You know they have to be relieved about that.
Believe it or not, this is the ninth all-time playoff matchup between these two, although they haven't met since the 1985 Divisional round. The series is even at 4-4. Will the Rams break the tie and make their first NFC Championship Game trip in 17 years? Or will the Cowboys go for the first time in 23 seasons? Sorry Dallas, but this Rams team has seemed destined for the NFC Championship Game all season.
Chargers (13-4) at Patriots (11-5): Chargers-It's an NFL rule that the Patriots play in the AFC Championship Game. But of their three possible Divisional Playoff opponents, the one they least wanted to play was probably the Chargers. Because the Chargers aren't going to be intimidated going into Foxboro. And New England knows it. Phillip Rivers has been waiting 11 years to get another shot at the Patriots in the playoffs. He's ready for it. He said as much in his postgame interview after the Chargers beat Baltimore.
Of the four road teams this week, I think the Chargers have the best chance of pulling it off. And it's because of their defense. They won't be able to get away with that brilliant defensive game plan they used against Baltimore again this week. Not against Tom Brady. But you know they've got something else up their sleeves. Of course, so do Brady and Belichick. New England has been to seven straight AFC Championship Games for a reason, after all. So it's really a matter of which team's creative thinking during the week (or, in Brady's case, the game) was better that could prove to be the difference.
The Chargers haven't lost a game outside of Southern California all year. The Patriots are the only team in the NFL that went undefeated at home during the regular season. So something's gotta give here. Call me crazy, but I think the Chargers can pull it off. For the first time in eight years, Bradicheck will be watching the AFC Championship Game.
Eagles (10-7) at Saints (13-3): New Orleans-Ending the week is the matchup that looks the best on paper and is the one people are looking forward to the most. If not for the Minneapolis Miracle, it would've been the NFC Championship Game matchup last season. Now you've got the red-hot defending champs heading south to take on the team with the best record in football. And adding to the intrigue is the fact that Drew Brees and Nick Foles went to the same high school.
Foles just has an aura around him. As great as Carson Wentz is, the Eagles simply can't lose with Foles under center. It's not a coincidence that this run started when he took over as the starter after Wentz got hurt. But how long can it continue? It almost came to an end last week, but that Foles magic continued in Chicago. Going to New Orleans and playing the Saints offense on that turf is a completely different proposition, though.
Yes, New Orleans did lose to Carolina in Week 17. But the main reason for that is because the Saints completely didn't care one iota about that game. They'll amp it back up for the playoffs. And beating them in the Superdome isn't going to be easy. This might be where Foles' magic runs out. After all, the Football Gods owe New Orleans one after what happened to them last year. (Although, I haven't picked Philadelphia once in a single playoff game over the past two seasons, so Eagles fans will probably end up thanking me for picking the Saints after they're done booking their flights to LA.)
Last Week: 1-3
Regular Season: 162-92-2
Overall: 163-95-2
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