Saturday
Game: Kansas City at Houston
Prediction: Kansas City - These two teams started the year a combined 3-10, but finished the year a combined 17-2. Houston's defense has been stepping up a great deal in recent weeks, but then again, so has Kansas City's. The Chiefs, winners of ten in a row, have a more consistent quarterback in Alex Smith, finally have a vertical threat in Jeremy Maclin, and should be able to score just enough points to eek out a win. I'll take Kansas City on the road by a field goal.
Result: Kansas City 30 Houston 0
Record: 1-0
Game: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Prediction: Pittsburgh - A lot depends on the health and readiness of Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton. If he's fully healthy, isn't being rushed back, and doesn't showcase much rust in his return, I'd be inclined to go with the Bengals at home. However, I don't believe that's going to be the case, and unfortunately for Dalton, Marvin Lewis, and the Bengals, I'm sensing another first-round postseason loss. I'll go with the Steelers by a touchdown.
Result: Pittsburgh 18 Cincinnati 16
Record: 2-0
Sunday
Game: Seattle at Minnesota
Prediction: Seattle - Minnesota is an up-and-coming team, but given how hot Seattle is, how the Seahawks pummeled the Vikings not long ago, and not believing Minnesota has been able to figure out and fix all the problems they had in the teams' first meeting, I have to give the edge to Seattle. I'll take the Seahawks by 10.
Result: Seattle 10 Minnesota 9
Record: 3-0
Game: Green Bay at Washington
Prediction: Washington - Of the four Wild Card games, this was the most difficult for me to pick. Based on name and reputation, I have to imagine most analysts will go with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Having seen the Packers go 4-6 in their final ten games (including one win via a hail mary), how their offensive line and receivers have struggled, though, I'm not going to do that. Washington has played well at home all season, has been playing more consistently of late, and I'm going to give the edge to them at home in this one. I'll take Washington by 4.
Result: Green Bay 35 Washington 18
Record: 3-1
Wild Card Round Record: 3-1 (.750)
Overall Record: 154-106 (.592)
Game: Kansas City at Houston
Prediction: Kansas City - These two teams started the year a combined 3-10, but finished the year a combined 17-2. Houston's defense has been stepping up a great deal in recent weeks, but then again, so has Kansas City's. The Chiefs, winners of ten in a row, have a more consistent quarterback in Alex Smith, finally have a vertical threat in Jeremy Maclin, and should be able to score just enough points to eek out a win. I'll take Kansas City on the road by a field goal.
Result: Kansas City 30 Houston 0
Record: 1-0
Game: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Prediction: Pittsburgh - A lot depends on the health and readiness of Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton. If he's fully healthy, isn't being rushed back, and doesn't showcase much rust in his return, I'd be inclined to go with the Bengals at home. However, I don't believe that's going to be the case, and unfortunately for Dalton, Marvin Lewis, and the Bengals, I'm sensing another first-round postseason loss. I'll go with the Steelers by a touchdown.
Result: Pittsburgh 18 Cincinnati 16
Record: 2-0
Sunday
Game: Seattle at Minnesota
Prediction: Seattle - Minnesota is an up-and-coming team, but given how hot Seattle is, how the Seahawks pummeled the Vikings not long ago, and not believing Minnesota has been able to figure out and fix all the problems they had in the teams' first meeting, I have to give the edge to Seattle. I'll take the Seahawks by 10.
Result: Seattle 10 Minnesota 9
Record: 3-0
Game: Green Bay at Washington
Prediction: Washington - Of the four Wild Card games, this was the most difficult for me to pick. Based on name and reputation, I have to imagine most analysts will go with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Having seen the Packers go 4-6 in their final ten games (including one win via a hail mary), how their offensive line and receivers have struggled, though, I'm not going to do that. Washington has played well at home all season, has been playing more consistently of late, and I'm going to give the edge to them at home in this one. I'll take Washington by 4.
Result: Green Bay 35 Washington 18
Record: 3-1
Wild Card Round Record: 3-1 (.750)
Overall Record: 154-106 (.592)
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