NFL PLAYOFFS PREDICTIONS

The divisional rounds start this weekend in the NFL. Often this is the key week for home teams. All had byes last week. Will they be rusty or rested? Whereas only one home team won last week, all four home teams are favored this weekend. Who will win and why? Here is my take..

Eagles at Saints-

My heart says Eagles, my head says Saints. Philly has the revenge factor after an embarrassing 48-7 loss in New Orleans earlier this season. The Birds have then-injured players back, and St. Nick Foles at quarterback. The Saints have a sure first ballot Hall of Famer Drew Brees at QB and also the motivation to atone for last season's Miracle in Minnesota devastating defeat in round one.

I think it will be much closer this time. And, although it makes more sense to predict a New Orleans- New England, Brady vs. Brees Super Bowl, I just can't bring myself to pick against Foles and destiny again.

Eagles 34 Saints 31


Cowboys at Rams-

Los Angeles has not been playing good football since their loss to the Eagles, even if they did dispatch San Francisco pretty convincingly last week. Still, Jered Goff & co. want to make-up for a first round home loss last year to Atlanta. Plus I don't think Dallas is as good as they think they are.

Even though it would be a compelling NFC Championship Game between the Birds and cowboys, it's a long shot to happen. I wouldn't want to see Dallas anywhere near sniffing distance of a Super Bowl.

Rams 38 Cowboys 14


Chargers at Patriots-

The chargers have been good all year. It seems unfair to make a 12-4 team go on the road in the playoffs for two straight weeks. On Sunday they must fly across the country again and play in the Eastern Time zone, 10 am. on their West Coast body clocks.
Philip Rivers vs. Tom Brady will be a great duel. The weather should be cold in New England on Sunday. Will it snow?

I think Brady and the Patriots have one more Super Bowl run in them. They aren't going to allow an up-and-coming L.A. Chargers team go into Foxboro and upset them. As much as I like the chargers it won't happen.

Patriots 24 Chargers 17


Colts at Chiefs-

You expect the magical Colts to continue, even at a tough place to play like Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Coach Andy Reid will do something to screw it up. as always. The Chiefs are still powerful, even without all of their weapons, because of QB Patrick Mahomes. Indy's Andrew Luck has had a great comeback season, and the chiefs do have a history of losing playoffs games they should win, especially at Arrowhead. But, for once, KC gets to an AFC Championship Game next week.

Chiefs 20 Colts 17