This marks the first time since 1975 that the top seed in the conference is actually considered the underdog, but that's the case here and with good reason. Philly did finish the year with a 13-3 record which was tops in the NFC, but since the injury to Carson Wentz. With Wentz out, the Eagles have had to rely on Nick Foles. Now Foles is a good quarterback, but with the year that Wentz had, Foles is viewd as a step back. I could see Jay Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount getting a lot of touches in this game. For Philadelphia to even have a chance in this game, they must stay out of third-and-long situations, those in which Nick Foles’ lack of decisiveness could be problematic against a Falcons secondary that lately has been outstanding in on-ball coverage. Foles hasn't converted a 3rd down pass for a 1st down since week fifteen against the Giants. Oh yeah and the Eagles have lost four straight playoff games.
They have to deal with a Falcons team that was able to shut down the running game in Los Angeles and outplay a tough Rams team. Atlanta's favorite weapon in the pass game, Julio Jones can move around to either side of the field, which will make matchups for the Eagles defense tough. Sure, Philly has one of the better front sevens in all of football, but they are going to be really tested by this Falcons offense. They have Julio over the top and as an added threat in Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman. But don't be surprised if the Eagles defense really puts pressure on Matt Ryan, something that the Eagles specialize in, especially in third and long situations.
This is going to be a solid game to watch. Atlanta is coming in hot, having won seven of their last nine games, including last week. Philly has a good defense, but they will start to get gassed as the day goes along. Atlanta will control the ball, control the clock and take the game.
Prediction: Atlanta by 10!
Tennessee has an uphill battle ahead of them this weekend. As good as Mariota was last weekend, he has had a touch of inconsistency during the course of the year. He's a good quarterback, as was evidence by being able to help lead his team in the comeback. Also, to be fair, Derrick Henry was a big reason for the Titans win last weekend, which was the best of his early two year career in the league. Expect a big game, or at least a big effort, out of Henry against the Patriots again this week. If the Titans really want to have a shot, Mariota and the passing attack have to get it going.
New England is very tough to beat as of late come the playoffs, they are 20-4 at home in the post season. Some might be critical of New England, as this could be viewed as a trap game. Reason being is that the Patriots could be potentially focused on playing the Steelers next weekend. But both teams have to get there first. Tom Brady still has plenty of firepower to work with, having the best tight end in the game in Rob Gronkowski and a couple of other good pass catchers in Brandin Cooks and Julian Edelman. Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia is going to find a way to try and put pressure on Mariota and find a way to shut down Henry.
This game is going to be easy to pick. I'll give Tennessee credit for being able to come back against KC last week, but New England is better then Kansas City. And they better all around then the Titans. The game is in New England, a place the Patriots rarely lose during playoff time. Tom Brady is going to play like Tom Brady. Interesting state, Brady has more Super Bowl rings than Mariota, Nick Foles, Blake Bortles, and Case Keenum have playoff starts combined. This one isn't going to be fun if your a Titans fan
Prediction: Patriots by 14!
Jacksonville is coming off an ugly win over the Bills last week, a game in which Blake Bortles had more rushing yards (88) then he did throwing yards (87). If the Jags want to have any chance in this football game, they are going to try and replicate the success they had in week five of this year when they pulled out a 30-9 win in the same building they're playing in on Sunday. Keep handing the ball off and let the run game do its thing. When the run game might not be working, Bortles has to be on top of his game through the air if the Jags offense is going to have any hope of putting up points. On defense, the Jags are going to put a LOT of pressure on the Steelers. Sacksonville likes to blitz and they have the athletic players to be able to pull it off. The Jags defense, which is lead by Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, will make life miserable for the Steelers.
As for Pittsburgh, I don't see Ben Rothlisberger having the five pick meltdown that he had in the week five loss to Jacksonville. He is a different quarterback once the playoffs get rolling. Oh yeah, Big Ben now has a healthy Antionio Brown, something he hasn't really had available to him since Christmas. The final part of the Killer B's, Le'Von Bell has been held to under 100 yards rushing in all but one game since week seven, so he's going to have to get it going. Having watched Bell in the past will be an indication of how good he is. On defense or the Steelers defense to make any noise, which fans know they can do, Javon Hargrave, Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward are going to have to make plays in the backfield. They are going to have to make Bortles throw the football, which he has had some inconsistency as of late doing.
This is going to be a totally different animal that the Jaguars are having to deal with this week, as compared to playing Buffalo last week. Pittsburgh is an experienced bunch who know how to get it done when its all on the line. Jacksonville got a little lucky last week, that won't happen again this week. There's no denying that the defense is great, and having a great defense can take you far. But if you don't have a player under center who can somewhat match up with that defense, then its not going to matter. No denying Bortles is good, but its not enough this week
Prediction: Steelers by 10!
This is going to be a lot different then what you saw when these two teams met in week one. Sam Bradford started that game for Minnesota, but this is now Case Keenum's team. He's been a big factor this year, avoiding turnovers this year by tossing just seven interceptions to 21 touchdowns. He's got a solid run game to work with in talented backs like Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray, and a receiving core filled with Stefon Diggs, Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph. Minnesota has a solid defense that takes a few fans back to the days of the Purple People Eaters in the 1970s. That defense is going to be good, very good.
They're going against a solid one-two rushing attack that New Orleans has. Mark Ingram and Alvan Kamara have combined to lead the NFL in rushing yards (1,852), rushing TDs (20), scrimmage yards (3,094) and scrimmage TDs (25). Yeah, they're kinda good. But if somehow, the Vikings find a way to shut them down, Drew Brees is no slouch. In seven games versus top-10 total defenses, Brees has thrown 10 TDs to three INTs for a 110.1 passer rating and 8.8 yards per attempt, which shows that he knows how to step his game up when the game is on the line.
This game is indoors, which is about an even benefit for both teams. New Orleans has been playing great all year, there's no debate about that. The only thing is, the Saints have just one road playoff win in franchise history. I have a feeling that could end up hurting them. Minnesota is looking to become the first team ever to play in the Super Bowl in their own home building. No host city has ever had their team play in the big game. Minnesota has what it takes to take one step closer to that this week.
Prediction: Vikings by 3!
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