Indianapolis Colts/Houston Texans: I can't think of two teams more evenly matched who have played each other in the playoffs in recent years. Division rivals no less. They split their season series and both games were decided by 3 points, Houston winning in overtime early on, the Colts emerging victorious in week 14, both teams winning on the road. Indianapolis scored 31 more points than the Texans during the season but Houston let in 28 fewer, a remarkably close 3 point differential, mindbogglingly close statistics. Houston's made the playoffs several times in recent years but is still looking for that breakthrough season. And their 2018 record's solid, in fact they almost won every game and only lost two games by more than 3, compiling an 11 and 2 record since week 4. Similarly, the Colts won 9 of their last 10 and Andrew Luck seems to have rediscovered the magic touch that led to so many big playoff wins years ago. The home team is a safe bet when teams are this evenly matched and they play each other so often, but home field advantage didn't mean much when they faced off during the season. I'm hoping this game sees overtime. Picking the Colts by 3.
Seattle Seahawks/Dallas Cowboys: The Seahawks had a classic hit and miss season. They beat the Cowboys, Packers, Chiefs, and Vikings, but lost close games to the Rams, Chargers, and Broncos. Their win against Kansas City late in the year says a lot about how they play under pressure, with the postseason on the line, but looking good prior to the playoffs doesn't automatically guarantee victory or success. Dallas beat Philadelphia twice plus New Orleans and came out on top of a tight competitive division. Their defence played well in 2018, allowing 23 fewer points than Seattle, notably holding the Saints to a paltry 10. But their offence scored far fewer points and they've lost 4 of their last 5 when playing Seattle. The Seahawks fielded some outstanding playoff teams in recent memory while Dallas has struggled to make an impact for quite some time. They're playing at home and will likely employ a tough defensive strategy, but Russell Wilson's been there and done that, and regularly comes up with big plays the second his team falls behind. It'd be nice to see Dallas do something in January again, I never thought I'd say that but it's been so long since they beat the Bills. It's looking like Seattle has the edge in this one though. Hoping the game's tight with a winner emerging in the dying seconds. Picking the Seahawks. The Seahawks by 10.
Los Angeles Chargers/Baltimore Ravens: Philip Rivers has been around a long time and I'd love to see him lead the Chargers to a Super Bowl win. If Los Angeles beats the Ravens, they play either New England or Kansas City next week. Both of those potential matchups are compelling because Kansas City and Los Angeles are division rivals who compiled the best records in the AFC this year, and back in the day when San Diego had really good teams, they came up against one Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, who foiled their postseason ambitions. As they have so many others. First the Chargers take on the Chiefs, followed by a game versus New England? Then, if they make the Super Bowl, Rivers could face Drew Brees in an ultimate salute to old school rivalry, the definitive game coming over a decade later. I wouldn't think about these kinds of things if I was an athlete. If I was an athlete I wouldn't read or think about much besides how to win while staying focused on the next game. Especially since the Chargers lost to Baltimore 22-10 two weeks ago (and if they had won they may have secured the bye). I'm not an athlete though, and I find potential Chargers/Chiefs, then Chargers/Patriots, then Chargers/Saints matchups too exciting to ignore, so I'm rooting for the Chargers, and good old Philip Rivers. Not that Lamar Jackson becoming the youngest player to ever win a playoff game isn't also exciting. Picking the Chargers by 6.
Philadelphia Eagles/Chicago Bears: here's an interesting game. My less dramatic pick for the Super Bowl this year is Chicago; after they held the Rams to only 6 points, I started to think their defence is strong enough. Baltimore has a similar defence, damn it, but that doesn't mean the Chargers won't prevail. The Bears won 9 of their last 10 and put up some solid offensive stats too, but it would still be cool to see the Eagles make another run. They're currently playing well and played well beyond expectations last year in the postseason. And what better opponent to have to face to prove themselves than Chicago? But Chicago's well oiled on both sides of the field and could have played a much less daunting Vikings squad in the Wild Card round if they had just played their B team last week (perhaps they did), but as far as I know they played to win, and I freakin' love that, and am picking the Bears consequently. Bears by 13. Nice to see them back in the playoffs.
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