Let's look at this weekend's games in the NFL playoffs, aside from the Eagles hosting Atlanta. I'll review and make my pick for that game tomorrow in a special post...
* Tennessee at New England-
Saturday night in cold New England. Yes, the Patriots are under turmoil with the Brady-Bielichek tension going on. But this is what the Pats live for each season. This is one of the main reasons why New England reaches so many Super Bowls- home field advantage in the AFC playoffs.
Tennessee stumbled into the postseason. To their credit, they didn't give up in Kansas City, overcoming n 18-point halftime deficit to beat the Chiefs. But to think they will now turn round and win a playoff game on the road against the defending super Bowl champs is ridiculous.
I see the Patriots, after wearing off the rust of a bye week, turning on the gas and taking their frustrations out on the Titans. The Pats have come too far, beating Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, to blow their home field advantage to a team like Tennessee.
Make it : Patriots 36 Titans 7
* New Orleans at Minnesota-
This is the big match-up of the weekend. The Saints are still playing in a dome, so weather won't be a factor. The Vikings have a vaunted defense, which will be tested by New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees. Will Minnesota QB Case Keenum put up enough points for the Vikings to stay with Brees, or will the Minnesota defense clamp down on the potent Saints' offense?
As usual, this game will come down to turnovers. If the Viking defense can cause turnovers and give Keenum a short field to work with, the better chance Minnesota has to win.
Home field will play a big part in the game, as the Viking fans are generally loud, but Brees has seen it all, even on the road, and should adjusted as needed.
I like the Saints to get to the NFC Championship game next weekend.. Saints 17 Vikings 14
* Jacksonville at Pittsburgh-
The Steelers aren't invincible at home. They lost to the jags earlier in the season, as well as the Patriots and Bears.But they shouldn't lose to Blake Bortles and the Jaguars again at home. If they do, they don't deserve to be in the AFC championship game.
The Steelers have their sights on revenge with New England, so a pesky Jacksonville, with a solid defense, shouldn't derail Pittsburgh from their goal of facing the Pats again in an epic showdown next weekend.
The Jags , if they re to win, need to rely on their defense and cause turnovers. They need to get after Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethesburger with their pass rush to have a chance.
It's expected to be cold this Sunday in Pittsburgh, something Jacksonville isn't used to. Until the Jags get a franchise QB, they can't play with the big boys in the AFC.
Oddly enough, if the Jags should somehow get by the Steelers, I would give them a decent shot vs. the Patriots next week. Tom Coughlin, former New York Giants coach who now works for Jacksonville,knows how to beat Tom Brady and the Pats. Will they get that far?
My pick is: Steelers 23 Jaguars 13
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