Saturday’s Games
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles
Are the Eagles flavoured in this one? I haven’t actually checked the betting line. Considering their Season they probably are, but in my opinion they shouldn’t be. As much as I like Nick Foles, he doesn’t run this offence as effectively as Carson Wentz. The Eagles have a tonne of weapons at their disposal, but they all suffer a slight decrease in value with Foles under center. Their Running game is formidable. The tandem of Jay Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount can pound the rock. A heavy dose of those two might be the Eagles best path to victory. The only problem is that the Atlanta Falcons have a lot of speed on Defence. So don’t expect Blount or Ajayi to break for any long runs. If the Eagles win this game I would expect the MVP to be Zach Ertz. The Atlanta Falcons Defence can at times be a little soft across the middle. If Philadelphia has some success running the ball early. The Falcons may pull a linebacker up into the box, opening up enough space for a top Tight End like Ertz to exploit the space. Ertz matches up well against any Linebacker or Safety in single coverage so he could have a huge game.
All that being said, the Atlanta Falcons should really be licking their chops heading into Philadelphia. At no time last week did they look like they might lose to the Rams. Matty Ice was definitely in playoff form, and Julio Jones finally found the end zone. For those of you who are paying attention I predicted a big game from Jones last week. Losing the way they did in the Superbowl last year. A Superbowl in which Julio Jones wasn’t targeted nearly enough, and he still had one of the best catches in Superbowl history. The Falcons have learned their lesson, and leaned on their stars last week. Well I would expect more of the same in this game. Ryan, Jones, and Freeman will be expected to earn their pay on Saturday, and I don’t see why they won’t. The Eagles don’t have a total wrecking ball like Aaron Donald to give Matt Ryan fits. Fletcher Cox is a handful but he doesn’t possess the every down dominance of Donald. Matt Ryan should have even more time to go through his progressions, and find the open man. I expect this to be a very up and down game, but I expect Matt Ryan to be the better clutch performer down the stretch.
Atlanta Falcons by 4
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots
I have to give credit where credit is due. The Tennessee Titans beat a Kansas City Chiefs team that was packed full of talent, in their house, and showed late season form. I didn’t give them a chance to win. I don’t think anyone except hardcore Titans fans did. Well congratulations Tennessee! Enjoy the victory because it was your last. Lets be honest here. They will be traveling to Foxborough heavily outmatched. Once again the New England Patriots have parlayed winning the weakest division in football being the top seed in the AFC, and “earning” themselves the easiest path to the Superbowl. The Patriots key to victory is simple. Protect Tom Brady so that he can effectively deliver the ball. That’s been their plan all Season long. They have an amazing offensive line, and to make matters worse for opposing teams utilize their Running Backs as quick toss receivers better than any other team. That means that you have very little time to get to Tom Brady before he becomes an ineligible target. It’s so frustrating for opposing Defensive Ends, and Linebackers that Brady draws a lot of roughing the passer penalties for late hits. Now given all that can the Tennessee Titans get to Brady? Shit no! If you actually think that they can you’re deluded, or from Tennessee. This game could end up being so lopsided that I might tune out at half-time. Although there could be some garbage time heroics.
New England Patriots by 13
Sunday’s Games
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers
You can almost taste the anticipation. The Jacksonville Jaguars scrambled their way to their first playoff win in what feels like forever last week. That earned them a trip to Pittsburgh home of the terrible towel to face a team they embarrassed earlier this Season. You don’t need to be a fan of either team to know that they intercepted Ben Roethlisberger five times (two for touchdowns) the last time they played. People were questioning whether Roethlisberger should consider retirement after that beating. Well he didn’t retire, and if not for another controversial call that went the Patriots way again. The Steelers would be playing the lowly Titans this week instead. Obviously the Steelers are favoured, and despite what happened earlier in the Season they should be. For the Steelers to win this game they only need to limit their mistakes. So I expect a heavy dose of Le’Veon Bell in this game. Allowing Ben Roethlisberger to get the ball out of his hands quickly with minimal risk. Don’t count Antonio Brown out of this game though. I expect that he will be recovered enough to make a serious impact. People forget that he isn’t just a deep threat. He gains a lot of his yards after the catch on short passes. Juju Smith Schuster has the ability to gain chunks of yards after the catch as well. It’s this combination of quick strike weapons that should keep the Jacksonville Jaguars Defence in check. Don’t fool yourself though. Big Ben will get sacked. Pittsburgh will be forced into a turnover or two. This game will be a war. Jacksonville could have the right tools to get the upset. Except they don’t! Bortles threw for a grand total of 87 yards against the Buffalo Bills last week. That kind of production just won’t do against the high powered Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers by 9
New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings
This could very well be the game of the week. These two teams are pretty evenly matched on paper. Of course I’d give the nod to Drew Brees over Case Keenum. I mean who wouldn’t? Of course I’d give the advantage to the Vikings Defence over the Saints. Nobody should think otherwise. If you are a fan of the Running Back position you are in for a fantastic show. Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, and Jerick McKinnon will all have opportunities to showcase their talents in this one. If I had to pick just one as the Running Back to watch I’d go with Alvin Kamara. The Vikings are so strong on the Defensive line that I expect Kamara to find the most success receiving passes out of the backfield. Of all the games this weekend this game has the highest scoring potential because it’s being played in a dome. The kickers will definitely play a role in deciding who wins, and expect a few deep passes to find their targets. Of all the games I found this one to be the most difficult to predict. In that case I have to give the advantage to the home team.
Minnesota Vikings by 3
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