2016 NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Predictions

Chiefs at Patriots (Saturday, 4:35 ET): While the Patriots may not have ended the season how they would have liked, the bye week gave players like Rob Gronkowski, Sebastian Vollmer, Julian Edelman, and Tom Brady additional time to heal from their respective injuries. The Chandler Jones saga that unfolded this past week may have served as a major distraction, but if there's any team capable of winning amidst a controversy, it's the New England Patriots. The Chiefs have to deal with injuries of their own, where Jeremly Maclin, Tamba Hali, and Justin Houston are all questionable and may not be full strength if they end up playing. Under Tom Brady, the Patriots are 14-3 at home in the playoffs, and while the Chiefs have an outstanding pass rush capable of causing trouble for this weak Pats offensive line, I predict the Pats to return to their winning ways.
Patriots over Chiefs 27-17

Packers at Cardinals (Saturday, 8:15 ET): This team played each other in Arizona just three weeks ago, a game where the Cardinals dominated against Rodgers and the Packers in a 38-8 victory. The Cardinals recorded nine total sacks that game, even without their star safety Tyrann Mathieu. Offensively, the Cardinals will rely on Carson Palmer and the passing game, who has a career passer rating of 66.5 in his two playoff games (both losses). This number is very different from Rodgers' career passer rating of 100.3 in his 13 career playoff games, yet this year Packers team is very different from the offensive powerhouses of the past. This game will be much closer than the Week 16 blowout, but Arizona will still find a way to win.
Cardinals over Packers 31-23

Seahawks at Panthers (Sunday, 1:05 ET): The Seahawks honestly have no business playing in this divisional round after Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh missed a chip shot for the win. Yet despite a close game one week earlier in frigid Minnesota weather, I still love the Seahawks to beat the Panthers in Carolina. Marshawn Lynch is "ready" for Carolina tomorrow, which is good for the Seahawks offense since it will be difficult to throw the ball with tomorrow's poor weather conditions. Cam Newton has thrown 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in his three career playoff games, and even though the Panthers beat the Seahawks in Seattle this past October, that was before the Seahawks caught fire later in the season.
Seahawks over Panthers 20-17

Seahawks list Marshawn Lynch as probable against Panthers: https://t.co/dXPMciefJt

— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) January 16, 2016

Steelers at Broncos (Sunday, 4:40 ET): The chances of the Steelers beating the Broncos in Denver are decreasing by the day, where receiver Antonio Brown and running back DeAngelo Williams have both been ruled out for Sunday's game. Even star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is far from full strength, but if there's any quarterback capable of winning a playoff game with a plethora of injuries, it's Big Ben. Peyton Manning for the Broncos likely won't have to carry his team through the playoffs this year thanks to a decent run game and outstanding defense, especially since he his 0-5 in the playoffs when the temperature dips below 40 degrees. If the Steelers were healthy, Pittsburgh would be the pick to win; however, Pittsburgh has too many injuries on offense to win this game.
Broncos over Steelers 21-10

Gronk will play tomorrow. He'll be limited, but he'll play.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 16, 2016

Chiefs feel good about Justin Houston and Tamba Hali for today. Jeremy Maclin's status not as clear. Might be a stretch for him. We'll see

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 16, 2016

Getting ready for football. Three hours until #KCvsNE. https://t.co/QS47NnDz68

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 16, 2016

Packers are 5-1 as a No. 5 or No. 6 seed with Aaron Rodgers as QB

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 16, 2016

Peyton Manning has gone “one-&-done” in playoffs 9 times, 5 more than any other QB in Super Bowl era (since 1966).

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 15, 2016

Peyton Manning is 0-5 when kickoff temps are 40 degrees or below. Sunday's Denver forecast: 36 high, 21 low. pic.twitter.com/SZoo0es4tL

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) January 16, 2016

WR Antonio Brown has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Denver. MORE: https://t.co/YczMIPd4y8

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 15, 2016

2015-2016 NFL Divisional Round Predictions

(5) Chargers over (1) Colts: The Indianapolis Colts have struggled to stop the run throughout the years, so San Diego's addition of talented running back Melvin Gordon may pose certain problems for the Colts defense. In addition, Gordon will be able to take some pressure off of Rivers, who will also be throwing to their recently acquired receiver, Jacoby Jones.



(2) Patriots over (3) Broncos: In what will likely be the final meeting between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, it is highly unlikely that Manning will be able to travel into Foxboro in the month of January and defeat the Patriots. New England's defensive line has an abundance of young talent (Jones, Brown, and Easley), and the passing game is near unstoppable when Rob Gronkowski is on the field.

(1) Packers over (5) Cardinals: It is difficult to see a team who calls the warm and sunny Glendale, Arizona their home traveling to Lambeau Field and knocking off the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. From a statistical point of view, Rodgers was near perfect last season at home, and a talented Cardinals defense is not enough to stop Green Bay's passing game.

(2) Seahawks over (3) Panthers: The Seahawks beat Cam Newton and the Panthers last season in the Divisional Round, and not much is likely to change this year. The Panthers are very depleted when it comes to their receiving corp following Kelvin Benjamin's injury, whereas Seattle added the elite talent known as Jimmy Graham.

Tom Brady beats NFL in `Deflategate' court case, judge nullifies league's 4-game suspension.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2015

Reunion: James Jones is signing with the #Packers, source said.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2015

2014 Playoff Predictions: Divisional Round

AFC

Broncos over Bengals: The Denver Broncos offense looked unstoppable against a very respectable Baltimore Ravens defense in Week 1. Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas, and Eric Decker make up the best receiving corp in the league, and we predict Peyton manning to throw for more than 50 touchdowns in 2013. The Bengals defense is very talented, but their inexperience makes Denver the favorite to win. 

Patriots over Texans: Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola are both expected to be in the starting lineup by October, so Tom Brady will finally have the receivers he needs to win. New England's running game also looks relatively strong with Steven Ridley, Shane Vereen, and Legarrette Blount. The Houston Texans are knocked out of the divisional round for the third straight year.

NFC

49ers over Saints: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has proven he can not only run with the football, but has also found success through the air. Kaepernick dominated the Green Bay Packers in his Week 1 matchup, and the defense fared well against former MVP Aaron Rodgers. The New Orleans Saints defense will be the Achilles heal in this matchup.

Seahawks over Falcons: With Percy Harvin back in the starting lineup, Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch will pick apart Atlanta's defense. The Atlanta Falcons offense is extremely difficult to defend, but Seattle is able to get the job done.

Update: 5 out of the 8 teams that we predicted to play in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs actually made it to the Divisional Round