Friday, January 13, 2017

2016-2017 NFL Picks: Divisional Weekend

Regular Season: 164-88-2
Wildcard Weekend: 3-1

Saturday, 1/14

Seattle @ Atlanta: Atlanta
Houston @ New England: New England

Seattle lost three of their last six games to end the regular season, and struggled to beat the 2-14 San Francisco 49ers in Week 17. They have consistently struggled against weaker teams, yet they beat the Patriots IN New England in Week 10. The inconsistency seems to indicate a loss, but they did pretty well against the Lions last week, a notorious playoff loser. The Falcons are another team that have failed to have any consistency in the playoffs, but they have 540 total points this season, the top total in the NFL. The second place team? New England, with 441. This seems to SCREAM Atlanta, and knowing my terrible history with Atlanta this season, the Seahawks will likely squeak by them, 11-8 or something ridiculous like that. Meanwhile, the 300 stood better odds against the Persians than the Texans have against the Patriots.

Sunday, 1/15

Pittsburgh @ Kansas City: Pittsburgh
Green Bay @ Dallas: Green Bay

The Chiefs finished strong this season, winning 10 of their last 12, and snatched the AFC West out from under the Raiders in Week 17 with a win against the Chargers, earning the 2nd overall seed and a bye in the Wildcard Round. But those two losses came against the Buccaneers in Week 11 and the Titans in Week 15, two teams that don't exactly scream "dominant." And one of their other losses was a blowout loss against the Steelers, who won 7 in a row to storm into the playoffs on the strength of Ben Roethlisberger, Le'veon Bell and Antonio Brown. The Steelers are too well rounded, and have too much momentum. Meanwhile, the Packers will be without top receiver Jordy Nelson, but will that challenge be enough to derail the machine that is Aaron Rodgers? Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott are the rookie phenoms that have catapulted Dallas into the limelight (and a top seed), but the Playoffs tend to be a different story. This is the toughest game I have ever had to predict, but I think the Kids don't have as easy a time as they have seemingly had this regular season, and Green Bay wins this one.

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