Time for the playoffs! In the most recent Weekly, I got the Packers pick correct, but whiffed on Indianapolis. The Texans beat the Colts, which (coupled with a Jacksonville loss to Tennessee) means Houston gets in. We’ll keep it simple this week by just making predictions for all six games. Let’s go chronologically, which means starting with Cleveland and Houston.
#5 Cleveland vs. #4 Houston
Cleveland has been winning despite losing Deshaun Watson, thanks in part to Old Man Flacco, who has been throwing TDs left and right. He’s also been throwing plenty of INTs, but still rated out better than Watson did before his injury. Houston has been really good this year, far outpacing expectations with a rookie QB. But the Browns have a pretty good defense, allowing the fewest yards in the league. Oddly, they’re only 13th in points allowed, but the answer may lie in their miserable -9 turnover margin. I think they will limit the turnovers and come away with a win.
#6 Miami vs. #3 Kansas City
Miami backed in, but K.C. under performed all year. It’s also looking like it might be one of the coldest handful of games in NFL playoff history at Arrowhead. The Dolphins have had real trouble against good teams all year long. And they’re less used to the cold. Tua’s accuracy may be compromised by the elements as well. I really ought to pick the Chiefs here. But for some reason, I have a feeling Miami will be able to run the ball best, which will help give them a surprising win. Let’s go Dolphins in an upset.
#7 Pittsburgh vs. #2 Buffalo
These two teams are both lucky to be here. The Steelers looked dead in the water until the very end, but managed to sneak in with a little help. Buffalo was also in some danger of missing out on the postseason, albeit not nearly as much. That they somehow ended up with the #2 seed was unexpected, and their reward is the decidedly flawed team from Pittsburgh. Quarterback play will make the difference here, with Josh Allen outplaying whoever Mike Tomlin trots out. Bills will win this one.
#7 Green Bay vs. #2 Dallas
Dallas is good at home. Like, 8-0 good. The Packers managed to make the playoffs, but I don’t think Jordan Love is ready quite yet. That Micah Parsons-led pass rush will be too much. Now, part of me wants to pick the upset because screw the Cowboys, but I suspect they will run over the Pack. Dallas for the win.
#6 Los Angeles vs. #3 Detroit
Man, I really don’t want to pick another upset here. I need the Lions to just get a win in the playoffs and be done with it. The game is at Ford Field, but Matt Stafford had played OK there over the years. Toss in the fact that the Detroit secondary has real trouble stopping anyone, and I feel pretty confident that passing yards will be plentiful. This will almost certainly be a high scoring affair. It’s going to be absolutely deafening in the stadium, and this Detroit team has come up with some big wins this year, so I will tentatively give the Lions the edge.
#5 Philadelphia vs. #4 Tampa Bay
The Eagles look like absolute crap since the 49ers rolled into town, embarking on a 1-5 denouement to the season which cost them the #1, then the #2, the division, and home field. I don’t know what’s going on there, but Philly needs to fix it. Of course, they get to play the Bucs, who just aren’t that good. They won the division, but really struggled against the Panthers before managing to pull out an unimpressive 9-0 win. The Eagles won’t go far this year, but I’ll give them this one. Eagles will almost blow it, but still come away with a victory.
