"The Stack" 1-10-19
The NFL Divisional Playoffs are here and this weekend should be awesome with fantastic games.
The Stack is back on this Divisional Playoff Football Friday and this is arguably the best weekend of the NFL season. The NFL Divisional Playoffs are fantastic. The four best teams in the NFL are playing plus we have some amazing matchups and maybe we will see a few more upsets. There were three last week. What do we have in store for the weekend? Let’s get to some picks in “the stack” for today, Friday, January 11th:
#6 Indianapolis Colts @ #1 Kansas City Chiefs 4:35 PM ET NBC (Saturday)
What a game this should be. Patrick Mahomes makes his NFL playoff debut for the Chiefs. By now you should know that the Chiefs haven’t won a home playoff game since 1994 or 1995. This game is at home. The Colts are 10-1 in their last eleven games and they are playing well across the board. Andrew Luck is playing great. The defense is playing really good. The running game is playing well. History tells me not to pick the Chiefs, but they can’t keep losing right? The streak has to end at some point, no? Give me Mahomes and company win a high scoring affair.
Prediction: Chiefs 38 Colts 31
#4 Dallas Cowboys @ #2 Los Angeles Rams 8:15 PM ET FOX (Saturday)
Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott were really impressive last week against the Seahawks. The Cowboys offensive line and Elliott have to be licking their chops going against a Rams defense that has allowed an average of over five yards per carry. Elliott could have a field day. Can the Cowboys defense contain Todd Gurley and Jared Goff? For a while, yes. Eventually though, the Rams’ talent will win out and they will edge the Cowboys in a hard fought battle.
Prediction: Rams 27 Cowboys 20
#5 Los Angeles Chargers @ #2 New England Patriots 1:05 PM ET CBS (Sunday)
For the second straight week, the Chargers have to fly cross-country to the eastern time zone for an early kickoff. The Patriots are a really good team at home, especially in the playoffs. This year though, they feel more vulnerable. They have had a couple of weeks to prepare though and that seven defensive backs look the Chargers employed last week to beat the Ravens likely won’t be able to stop Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. Plus, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has never beaten Brady in his career. I think the Chargers are the more talented team, but until someone can beat the Patriots at home, I have to go with New England.
Prediction: Patriots 24 Chargers 20
#6 Philadelphia Eagles @ #1 New Orleans Saints 4:40 PM ET FOX (Sunday)
The Saints embarrassed the Eagles earlier this year to the tune of 48-7. It was awful. But afar that loss, things started to turn around for the Eagles and Nick Foles is largely responsible. His late season heroics for a second straight year are something else. The Eagles won’t be scared going against the Saints, but I think this is where the magic ends. The Saints will be too much.
Prediction: Saints 31 Eagles 20
Coming up Monday: NFL Divisional Playoff reaction
