It’s the last weekend with more than two NFL games until next season. Who will advance to the conference championship games? RSR Staff give their predictions here…
Tony Lombardi
– In the battle of the birds of prey it’s the Falcons over the Osprey 23-20.
– I have dinner plans on Saturday and those plans have been influenced in part by the Texans at the Patriots which will be a snooze fest of epic proportions. In other words, I won’t mind if I miss this game, one that might also be Bill O’Brien‘s swan song in Houston. Is that dude crotchety or what? The Evil Empire prevails 30-6.
– Andy Reid‘s record after a bye is 16-2. The Chiefs just had a bye so it’s bye-bye Killer B’s. Chiefs advance 23-17.
– It’s been nearly a month since the Cowboys played a meaningful game. After Sunday it will be almost 9 months until their next meaningful game. Packers 27, Cowboys 23
– Dinner reservations are set for 7 PM.
Brian Bower
The Divisional round of the playoffs will hopefully be better football than we saw last weekend, which was a snooze fest for the most part.
In the battle of the birds, Matt Ryan wins his second career postseason game as the Falcons force Pete Carroll to chew more gum than he has in a game all year.
Falcons 28 Seahawks 23
If there iss going to be a blow out it’s the Patriots against the Houston Texans. Tom Brady is carrying a big chip on his shoulder and will continue his throttling of NFL teams.
Pats 41 Texans 13
In what figures to be the most competitive game this weekend, the Chiefs host the Steelers in the loudest NFL stadium. It’s offense vs. defense in this game and Andy Reid will have his team primed for a battle.
Chiefs 24Â Steelers 20
The Dallas-Green Bay match up looks like it could be another tight one. Red hot Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense takes on a Cowboys offense that thrived all season under Dak Prescott and Zeke Elliot. While GB may be without Jordy Nelson, Dallas still won’t stop the Pack.
Packers 30 Cowboys 24
Derek Arnold
You know the NFL would love nothing more than another Dallas-Pittsburgh Super Bowl. I expect the officiating this weekend to reflect that desire. Hopefully Andy Reid’s boys and Aaron Rodgers’ crew put enough of a beatdown on the bandwagon squads that the zebras can’t do anything about it.
Falcons 27 Seahawks 26
Patriots 38 Texans 6
Chiefs 89 Steelers 3
Cowboys 30 Packers 28
Mike Fast
Falcons 28, Seahawks 24
Patriots 41, Texans 3
Chiefs 24, Steelers 23
Packers 34, Cowboys 28
Ryan Jones
The Falcons are a team that I just can’t get behind in the playoffs. They’re like the Jaguars during the regular season, on paper they look great but they just can’t put it together when it counts. The Seahawks on the other hand have been there and done it.
Seahawks 27
Falcons 24
I’m not sure I can ever remember a spread being 16.5 points. The Patriots win with relative ease but a garbage time touchdown covers the spread and angers a lot of people betting on New England.
Patriots 30
Texans 14
In the last couple weeks you’ve heard a lot out of the Steelers. Joey Porter has been, well, Joey Porter and Le’Veon Bell has compared himself to Steph Curry and declared himself an innovator of the game. You haven’t heard a peep out of the Chiefs. Add in the element of playing in Kansas City and I’ll take take the Chiefs.
KC 28
Steelers 24
Green Bay is rolling and I don’t see anyone stopping them on their way to Houston. The Jordy Nelson injury hurts but when Aaron Rodgers gets locked in he could be throwing to anyone.
Packers 31
Cowboys 28
Adam Bonaccorsi
Unlike Wild Card Weekend, we’ll actually see close games this weekend! And a road warrior team will win! And Ravens fans will rejoice when one of our hated rivals goes down! Get jacked…. well, as jacked as one can be when the Ravens are out.
Matt Ryan reverts to playoff Matt Ryan. Russell Wilson reverts to playoff Russell Wilson. Ultimately the Seahawks defense swarms and conquers a close one, as Ravens fans can continue to drive the narrative that Joe Flacco is a better post-season QB than Matt Ryan will ever be.
SEA 27 ATL 20
The stupid cutoff hoodie and Ugg boy return to the post-season, and OF COURSE they end up with a cupcake of a game to ease them into the 2nd season. Brady throws 2 touchdowns, Blount runs for 2 more. The Texans offense goes back into fetal position, and Bill O’Brien chucks up a deuce as he awaits the falling ax to swing his way on Monday morning.
NE 31 HOU 13
I know I called a Steelers loss last week, but I’m chalking it up to wishful thinking. But seriously… THE STEELERS GO DOWN THIS WEEK. The Chiefs offer a substantially tougher match up, both offensively and defensively. And as much hype as Big Ben got last week, so much of that win was a result of Antonio Brown‘s YAC and LeVeon Bell’s legs. Chiefs win a close one at home in a boisterous Arrowhead Stadium.
KC 24 PIT 20
As I said last week, the current version of the Packers are not what they were earlier this season, but the Cowboys are oozing confidence thanks to a 30-16 thumping of the Packers…. back in Week 6 of the regular season. Aaron Rodgers is in MVP form, regardless of Jordy Nelson’s absence. Rookie phenoms Zeke Elliott & Dak Prescott will have a rude awakening come 7pm Sunday (or earlier if t the Packers keep doing what they did in the second half of the WCW game against the Giants).
GB 31 DAL 20
