NFL Divisional round picks

     Wildcard weekend was fun overall. We saw the Bengals and Vikings fall in strange circumstances after looking like they had it sealed away. We also saw the Chiefs rout the Texans, and the Packers play the best they've played in quite awhile. For the first time in NFL history, the 4 road teams won on wildcard weekend. That hasn't stopped Vegas from favoring the 4 home teams this weekend however. With constant injury news, and whatever we call what is going on with Chandler Jones, it's been a week of speculation as to how these situations could shape this weekend's games. I'm going to pick these games as best I can, but as we all know, it's unpredictable. 

Chiefs 23 Patriots 20 OT

Analysis: The Chiefs have been on a roll recently, that's no secret, and I don't think it ends here. The Chiefs are confident rolling into Foxborough after a energetic and rousing defeat of the Texans. Patriots stumbled into the playoffs, losing their final 2 games, and their edge in the AFC. Patriots are also dealing with some injury issues. Tom Brady doesn't seem 100% and Chandler Jones' situation, as well as another Gronk injury, have made for a pretty hectic week up in Patriot land. Chiefs are rolling; Patriots aren't. Momentum is key in the playoffs, and New England just doesn't have it. 

Panthers 23 Seahawks 13

Analysis: Seahawks got the luckiest of all lucky wins, and it wasn't even the luckiest win of the bunch last weekend. I don't think they get as lucky this week. The Panthers, 15-1, have shown ultimate consistency this year on both sides of the ball. The Panthers are a better version of the Seahawks. I also don't know if Seattlr is built for these tough road playoff games. Russell Wilson will again struggle to find his rhythm, but this time, Blair Walsh won't bail them out (too soon?). 

Cardinals 38 Packers 24

Analysis: The Cardinals cruised by Green Bay the last time they played thanks in large part to outstanding work from the defense. I think there will some similarities here. The Packers won't get destroyed, but they will get handled pretty well. Cardinals are an unstoppable force right now that is on a collision course for Santa Clara in three long weeks. Carson Palmer will get playoff win number 1 in what has been a roller coaster ride of a career for him. He deserves it more than any quarterback left in the playoffs. 

Broncos 27 Steelers 7

Analysis: The Steelers have been the most injured team in the league when it comes to star power being hurt. Roethlisberger has left 4 games early and missed 5. Bell missed most of the year. They had to roll with Toussaint and Todman at RB last week, and now Brown is out with a concussion (is he faking it Pacman Jones?). These injuries are beginning to pile up and will eventually catch up to them. It's a testiment that they even got this far. However, the Broncos will be the end up the line for them. Roethlisberger being limited and without his favorite target is huge news. If the Broncos didn't face Brown the last time, they would've enialated the Sterlers. That's what's going to happen here. No matter his playoff marks, Manning is the QB the Broncos should and will play. He won't be godly, but he will be good enough. The injuries will be just too much for the Steelers to overcome against a very talented Broncos defense.