Eight Teams Left. Divisional Round. Welcome to the best weekend of football. After an insane Wild Card Weekend, featuring absurd upsets and crazy games, only four teams were able to continue on their hunt for a title: The Colts, Cowboys, Chargers, and Eagles. Here were Net’s picks and predictions for Wild Card Weekend.
1. Indianapolis Colts (6) @ Houston Texans (3) - Prediction: Colts 31, Texans 28 ✔
2. Seattle Seahawks (5) @ Dallas Cowboys (4) - Prediction: Seahawks 23, Cowboys 17 ✘
3. Los Angeles Chargers (5) @ Baltimore Ravens (4) - Prediction: Ravens 24, Chargers 14 ✘
4. Philadelphia Eagles (6) @ Chicago Bears (3) - Prediction: Bears 20, Eagles 14 ✘
Net’s record is currently 1-3, which is horrendous, but the Wildcard round was filled with disappointments(The block on Cody Parkey's field-goal attempt versus the Eagles). With the Texans, Seahawks, Ravens and Bears out of the playoffs, the Divisional Round has some interesting matchups:
1. Indianapolis Colts (6) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1)
2. Dallas Cowboys (4) @ Los Angeles Rams (2)
3. Los Angeles Chargers (5) @ New England Patriots (2)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (6) @ New Orleans Saints (1)
Matchup #1 - Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs, Sat 4:35 ET
Indy at Kansas City is one of the best games this week, with two MVP Candidates dueling for the conference championship. Patrick Mahomes is on a mission to end the Chiefs’ failure in the postseason while Andrew Luck will attempt to continue his incredible comeback season.
The Colts have a well-rounded team, featuring an elite offense with Andrew Luck at the helm and a hungry defense including Jabaal Sheard, Darius Leonard, and Malik Hooker. After beginning the season at 1-5, the Colts hit a hot streak, especially after convincingly defeating the Texans last week. With their rhythm going as underdogs, the Colts are one of the scariest teams in connection right now.
On the other hand, the Chiefs have the best offense in the league, riding along Patrick Mahomes’, Tyreek Hill’s and Travis Kelce’s stellar seasons. Despite their tremendous offense, the Chiefs have the second to worst defense in the league - an aspect incredibly important in the playoffs. On top of this, the Chiefs haven’t won a meaningful primetime game this year (Patriots, Rams, Chargers) and are 10-18 in primetime games since 2004. In terms of playoff history, they are 1-8 since 2003 and have a tendency of losing games despite home field advantage. Despite their first seeding, the Chiefs show more flaws than promise.
The Colts defense should be able to make enough stops on the Chiefs high flying offense, and Andrew Luck will easily be able to put up points against the league’s worst defense. Based on what both teams show, Net foresees a high scoring game, with Indianapolis sealing the deal for themselves.
Prediction - Colts 38, Chiefs 35
Matchup #2 - Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Rams, Sat 8:15 ET
‘America’s Team’ against one of the Los Angeles teams. Football fans in Los Angeles must be excited with two teams in the playoffs, while fans in Texas are rooting for the Cowboys with the Texans out. This matchup might not be the most exciting game, but it’ll be interesting to watch the Rams top tiered offense against the Cowboys talented defense.
The Cowboys remind me of an AFC team; the Ravens - a team heavily based on running the ball on a weak offense that relies on their defense. They lack a real passing game with Dak Prescott at the reigns, and our based around Amari Cooper and Ezekiel Elliott. On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys have one of the best defenses in the league. With a top ten defense, and notable players including Leighton Vander Esch, Demarcus Lawrence, Jaylon Smith and Byron ones, their defense is not a joke. They can get the job done, which they proved against the Seahawks on last weekend.
On the other hand, the Rams are a better version of the Chiefs. They have the league’s second best offense, and are top five in rushing and passing this year. Their offense is simply unstoppable (except against the Bears) and is going to be a huge problem for the Cowboys. The Rams defense is another story though - they are below the league average and can’t stop top tier defenses. Luckily, the Cowboys offense is terrible.
Based on the Rams success in the regular season, and the Cowboys failure in the postseason, Net believe the Rams should easily beat the Cowboys. Sean McVay is an incredible head coach and should easily out coach Jason Garrett. Also, the Rams offense will be simply unstoppable while the Cowboys offense simply stalls throughout the game (like Lamar Jackson).
Prediction - Rams 30, Cowboys 17
Matchup #3 - Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots, Sun 1:05 ET
The second AFC matchup features the dangerous Chargers versus the historic Patriots. This is another phenomenal matchup, with the Patriots defending their throne in the AFC and the Chargers battling for their first conference championship appearance since 2007.
Net sees the Chargers as one of the best AFC teams, with an incredibly well rounded team. They rank top ten in both defense and offense, and were able to close out their game against the Ravens - a team considered to be the scariest team in the playoffs. They are now 8-1 on the road, and are as alarming as the Colts. Despite their success this season, the Chargers are horrendous in Foxboro and are 0-7 against the Bill Belichick led Patriots as a whole.
Despite a rough season for the Patriots, they were able to secure the two seed and home field advantage in this game. The Patriots have an impressive rushing and passing offense but a below average defense. These were regular season stats though - the Patriots are amazing in the playoffs. They have constantly seen success and are seeking revenge for last year's Super Bowl loss. On top of this, the game is in Gillette, a place where all teams have a tough time at - especially in the playoffs.
Even though the Chargers might be one of the best teams this year, the Patriots can handle them in Foxboro due to their constant success in the postseason. Brady can easily pick apart the Chargers’ zone defense and Phillip Rivers should easily be able to put up points on the Patriots’ scratchy defense. Net sees a high scoring, tight game that’ll end with another iconic, fourth quarter Tom Brady drive.
Prediction - Patriots 31, Chargers 30
Matchup #4 - Philadelphia Eagles @ New Orleans Saints, Sun 4:40 ET
The league’s best team this season takes on the defending Super Bowl champs. Though this game should be entertaining, Net presumes that this is the worst matchup in the divisional round. The Eagles’ Super Bowl hangover is clear-cut, while Drew Brees and company are on an expedition for the franchises’ second ring.
After the Eagles miraculous underdog season, they had high hopes for the 2018-19 season with Carson Wentz, yet here we are again - journeyman Nick Foles rescues the Eagles season. Nick Foles might be dangerous this year and can revamp the otherwise average Eagle offense, but he won’t be playing under the supervision of his own fans. Also, the Eagles defense has fallen apart this year. They are well below average and struggled against subpar offenses. Their win against Chicago was a fluke, thanks to Cody Parkey missing his eleventh field goal this season (way to be clutch, Cody).
The Saints are on a revenge tour after the embarrassing Minneapolis Miracle sent them home. Drew Brees is having an MVP season this year (darn Patty Mahomes) and has a top fifteen defense to compliment him. Don’t forget the incredible duo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram combined with Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn. Net truly believes that Sean Payton can take the Saints to the Super Bowl and win New Orleans its second Lombardi trophy.
The Saints are the best team in the National Football League, and can easily send the Eagles back to Philadelphia. Net envisions the a shootout between the Saints and Eagles, with Brees and Foles playing lights out as both defenses crumble. Only one will stand though, and that’ll be the Saints.
Prediction - Saints 43, Eagles 34
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