Seattle Seahawks/Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta impressed this season, Matt Ryan commanding the league's best offence throughout, orchestrating big plays when his team required them, consistently finding creative ways to flourish. The NFC South wasn't that strong but neither was the West, and you could argue that the Falcons had a tougher time than Seattle picking up divisional wins. Easily. Even if New Orleans finishes 7 and 9, it still isn't easy to beat them, you have to keep scoring and scoring and scoring or Drew Brees will discipline and punish. But the Seahawks won when they played in week 6, 26-24, this may be an excellent game. Seattle's defence was strong again this year and I seem to remember a team with a high-powered offence running into them in the playoffs in recent years, a team that had trouble scoring against them. Tragedy. Adjustments were made. But that was a different year with a different defence and the Falcons are rested and have something to prove. Ryan could succeed where Stafford struggled. This is too close to call. Falcons by 13.
Houston Texans/New England Patriots: well Houston did come up with the win last weekend, scoring a solid 27 while preventing the Raiders from threatening potently. They have a solid defence and it could just be that Osweiler's one of those quarterbacks who doesn't shine during the regular season, but shows up if his team makes the playoffs. He'll have to show up big time at Gillette Stadium this Saturday if the Texans hope to keep it close. New England only allowed 250 points to be scored against them this year and proceeded to dominate once again with what has to be unprecedented prowess. An unprecedented streak. Of excellence. They haven't lost in the divisional round since 2010 and didn't give up a point versus the Texans when they played them in Week 3. Winning 27-0. Osweiler could magically show up like he did in Denver a couple of times last year and keep this game close with the help of his defence, and the Ottawa Redblacks did beat a far more accomplished Calgary Stampeders team to win Canada's Grey Cup this year, but I'm still thinking New England wins, possibly by at least 14. You never really know what's going to happen however. But the Patriots are pretty freakin' good, again, this year. Picking New England. Hoping I'm way off.
Green Bay Packers/Dallas Cowboys: another breakthrough year for the Cowboys, and this time they look unstoppable. With an exceptional offence and an incredible defence, they should be ready to contend this coming Sunday. They defeated Green Bay 30 to 16 in week 6, but apart from two losses to the Giants, their schedule wasn't that tough, Pittsburgh being the only team they played that boldly stands out, a team the Cowboys defeated 35 to 30. Green Bay beat the Giants last weekend and scored 38 points against their lauded defence. They only lost to Atlanta by a point and owned the Seahawks 38 to 10. None of this matters, but the fact that a game changing bad call went Green Bay's way when they beat Dallas two years ago in the divisional round does give the Cowboys an advantage, even if it's best not to think about it. But could the Packers use this flaw to their advantage, scoring at will as a disavowed consequence, on the way to orchestrating another NFC East collapse? They're on the road this week. Picking the Cowboys. Wait! I haven't picked a road team yet. Switching my pick to Green Bay. Hoping it ends like 38-35.
Pittsburgh Steelers/Kansas City Chiefs: it looks like the Chiefs and Steelers have only ever met in the playoffs once, a game which Kansas City won in overtime 27 to 24 over twenty years ago. It wouldn't be surprising if this Sunday's confrontation sees a similar outcome seeing how the points for and against for both teams are practically identical, even if Pittsburgh throttled the Chiefs 43 to 14 in week 4. An edge. Who has an edge? It's notoriously difficult to win in Kansas City but it's also rare that the Chiefs win in the playoffs. The Steelers often make the playoffs but haven't made it past the divisional round in years. Andy Reid won many a divisional round game in Philadelphia but Mike Tomlin has won two Super Bowls in Pittsburgh. The Chiefs kept finding ways to win all season including an incomparable miracle, I mean miracle, win over the Broncos in week 12, but can the offence still produce late in the fourth if Roethlisberger keeps on pounding? Poise. It may come down to which team is more poised in this one, poised enough to make incredible game changing plays. Without turning the ball over. But it's really too close, home field versus playoff experience I suppose, both teams are good, both teams should be ready. Picking Kansas City. Even if Pittsburgh has nothing to lose.
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