NFL: Which Teams Advance?
After Wild Card Weekend, in which the Texans, Seahawks, Steelers, and Packers advanced to the Divisional Round, where we went a combined 7-1 (Post: 4-0, Henderson 3-1) in our predictions, we will do our best to project which four teams clinch a spot in the conference title games.
AFC Divisional Round: No. 4 Houston Texans (10-7) at No. 1 New England Patriots (14-2)
Post: Houston looked extremely solid in the Wild Card round against the Oakland Raiders, in a 27-14 win, but I don't give them a true chance to win on the road against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. New England has been electric since Brady's return in Week 5, going 11-1, and I don't see them slowing down just yet, if at all.
Final Score: Houston 13, New England 37.
Player of the Game: Tom Brady (QB).
Henderson: There’s no way the Texans are winning this game. I’d be shocked if the score was within 10 by the final whistle.
Final Score: Houston 10, New England 41.
Player of the Game: Tom Brady (QB).
AFC Divisional Round: No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) at No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
Post: Pittsburgh hasn't lost in two months, including a 30-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins last weekend, but Kansas City is a different monster all together. I love what Andy Reid has done with the Chiefs, and I think they'll win this game behind Alex Smith, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce on the offensive end. It should be high scoring, though.
Final Score: Pittsburgh 28, Kansas City 31.
Player of the Game: Tyreek Hill (RB/WR).
Henderson: In a rematch of a Week 4 easy Pittsburgh victory, both of these teams come into this game playing great football. While the Steelers do have a highly potent offense, their defense isn’t very good and Big Ben has struggled on the road this season. Give me the Chiefs defense to force a couple turnovers, Tyreek Hill to bust a punt return TD, and Kansas City to head to the AFC title game against New England.
Final Score: Pittsburgh 17, Chiefs 21.
Player of the Game: Tyreek Hill (RB/WR).
NFC Divisional Round: No. 3 Seattle Seahawks (11-5-1) at No. 2 Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
Post: Seattle's offense looked like it had a beating heart for the first time in awhile, in a 26-6 blowout of the Detroit Lions, but that doesn't make me buy into this team. Earl Thomas being out is going to continue to hurt them as Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and one of the best offenses in the league will be able to go down field often. Seattle is 3-4-1 on the road. Expect Atlanta to protect their home turf.
Final Score: Seattle 20, Atlanta 27.
Player of the Game: Julio Jones (WR).
Henderson: The Falcons are still angry that the refs screwed them over in their first meeting between these teams in Week 6, so they will be motivated. Simply put, as good as this Seahawks defense looked last week, statistically this Falcons offense is the best in NFL History led by leading MVP candidate Matt Ryan and I don’t think Seattle can hang.
Final Score: Seattle 24, Atlanta 38.
Player of the Game: Matt Ryan (QB).
NFC Divisional Round: No. 4 Green Bay Packers (11-6) at No. 1 Dallas Cowboys (13-3)
Post: Green Bay has won seven straight games and Aaron Rodgers has been incredible over the span. In fact, he has had 22 touchdown passes since his last interception, including a hail mary that essentially eliminated the New York Giants in a 38-13 win. But Dallas, with Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant, and the best offensive line in the league, will win this game at home and advance to the NFC title game.
Final Score: Green Bay 24, Dallas 27.
Player of the Game: Ezekiel Elliott (RB).
Henderson: Last week, I learned a harsh lesson: Don’t pick against Aaron Rodgers. While Dallas has a great offense and a solid defense, I don’t think Dak and Zeke can go score for score with Rodgers. This game should be a shootout, but in the end I foresee the Packers prevailing.
Final Score: Green Bay 42, Dallas 31.
Player of the Game: Aaron Rodgers (QB).
Photo Credit: USA Today.
