With Wild Card weekend behind us, let’s thank all the victors of the first round of the NFL playoffs. The Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, and Philadelphia Eagles all won their matchups to earn a spot in this weekends action. With that aside,to let’s look ahead to the Divisional Round. There are some great matchups, and NFL fans are in for a treat on this weekend.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Indianapolis Colts
The red-hot Colts come into the game after an impressive 21-7 victory over the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round. The Chiefs are the top seed in the AFC, and looking for just their second playoff win since 1994. It will feature a great quarterback dual between Andrew Luck and newcomer Patrick Mahomes. In his first NFL season as a starter, Mahomes threw for fifty touchdowns, good for third on the all time single season passing touchdown list. Kareem Hunt being cut earlier in the season by the Chiefs will play a tremendous role in this game. The Colts defense has been playing lights out since midseason, and it will make for a very interesting second round matchup.
Prediction: Colts 26-Chiefs 21
Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have took the league by storm with their prolific offense this season. They have the best defensive player in the game, Aaron Donald, and a secondary that is not too bad. Todd Gurley will look to make an impact against a very good defensive front seven from Dallas. The Cowboys will be looking to get their fourth playoff win since 2010. They did a magnificent job containing the Seattle Seahawks last week in a 24-22 winning effort. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot could have a huge game on the ground, and could lead the Cowboys to their first NFC Championship Game appearance since the 1996 season.
Prediction: Rams 28- Cowboys 20
Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots
In a rematch of the 2007 AFC Championship Game, the Patriots will host the Chargers. No team in NFL history has had more success than the Patriots since 2000. They have only missed the NFL playoffs three times in eighteen years. Despite having numerous injuries through the years, the Patriots have just kept winning. On the other side, the surging Chargers have shown just how great their team is all season. They could be the most complete team in the whole NFL playoffs. Long time Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers will try to win his first Super Bowl Championship, while Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will look to claim his sixth. The Chargers defense looked absolutely unstoppable last week as they beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-17. If Rivers does not get a ring this season, he could finish his career without ever holding a Lombardi Trophy.
Prediction: Patriots 21- Chargers 16
New Orleans Saints vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles earned a huge victory against the heavily-favored Chicago Bears last week. Nick Foles returns to the NFL playoffs to attempt a magical run to get the Eagles to their second consecutive Super Bowl. The Eagles defense reigned supreme against the Bears, specifically the pass rush. While Drew Brees is a far better quarterback than the Bear’s Mitch Trubisky, the Eagles will still be able to make some plays. The Saints return to the playoffs after losing a heartbreaker in last seasons Divisional Round to the Minnesota Vikings. Drew Brees will look to cement his legacy by winning his second Super Bowl. Don’t expect this game to get out of hand, because it will be a dogfight until the very end.