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Last week, I went 3-1 and that included me taking the Tennessee Titans over the Kansas City Chiefs, so it was a good week of football. This week, the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs looks about as uninteresting as you could get.
NFL Playoff Predictions
Atlanta Falcons (11-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
When: Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 2:35 p.m.
The Atlanta Falcons picked off the Los Angeles Rams last week in an upset road victory and were immediately favored to take down the Nick Foles led Philadelphia Eagles. Favored on the road against that defense? Give me a break.
Eagles have signs posted all around their facility to remind the team they’re underdogs this week https://t.co/AHvWJsdoef
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) January 10, 2018
I don’t think the Eagles will make it to the Super Bowl, but I do think they’ll be able to handle themselves defensively at home against Matt Ryan and the Falcons. The question is merely will the Falcons defense be able to keep the Eagles offense from scoring?
I’m not so sure about that. Give me the Eagles in a close win here.
Eagles 20, Falcons 16.
Tennessee Titans (10-7) at New England Patriots (13-3)
When: Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 6:15 p.m.
The Tennessee Titans are screwed. The got lucky having to face a cursed Kansas City Chiefs team, but Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are not going to shoot themselves in the face every chance they get in the playoffs.
In fact, they are favored by 12+ in this game and the only time they have lost a playoff game when favored by 12 or more was in a Super Bowl against the New York Giants.
In the 21st Century, 7 NFL postseason games have had point spreads of 12 or more. The Patriots were in all 7:
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) January 11, 2018
-13.5 vs Titans Saturday
-16 vs Texans in 2017
-13.5 vs Broncos in 2012
-12.5 vs Giants in 2008
-14 vs Chargers in 2008
-13.5 vs Jaguars in 2008
+14 vs Rams in 2002 pic.twitter.com/bbENXqwRzs
So yeah, the Titans are screwed. Not quite Tim Tebow in 2011 screwed, but close.
Patriots 38, Titans 17.
Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
When: Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 11:05 a.m.
In what I would call the only game worth watching this weekend, the Jacksonville Jaguars defense will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. Earlier in the season, the Jaguars curb stomped the Steelers 30-9 on the road in the very stadium where these two teams will play.
In that sense, I kind of like the Jaguars here. Or at least I would if Blake Bortles hadn’t already reverted back to Blake Bortles. Without that offensive production, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers will take advantage and the outcome of this game is likely to be much different.
Blake Bortles is 1-12 as a starter against teams with 10+ wins.
— Scott Kacsmar (@FO_ScottKacsmar) January 10, 2018
The lone win was Week 5 in Pittsburgh this year. He was 8-of-14 for 95 yards and an INT.
The big question for me is how much swag will this Jaguars defense have. If they can keep the score low, anything can happen.
Steelers 16, Jaguars 10.
New Orleans Saints (12-5) at Minnesota Vikings (13-3)
When: Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 2:40 p.m.
The New Orleans Saints just have that feeling this year. Drew Brees is throwing dimes and he has the best running backs in the NFL.
These kindergartners doing 'The Sean Payton' is the only New Orleans @Saints highlight we need. ⚜️
— WWL-TV (@WWLTV) January 10, 2018
: Green Park Elementary School #GoSaints #BlessYouBoys
Watch the full video here: https://t.co/sJPem7UgNG pic.twitter.com/UeNv3dnGAx
In the Minnesota Vikings they will face their toughest opponent of the year. That defense has been suffocating teams lately. If the Saints get past the Vikings on the road in this game, their season will end with a Super Bowl title.
And I think they do it.
Saints 24, Vikings 16.