The Gridiron Breakdown: NFL Divisional Playoffs

The Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs is upon us and we got some really interesting match ups in these games.

Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs
Saturday, 4:35 PM, NBC
Defending the Chiefs offense with Patrick Mahomes at QB is really, really hard. However, he's not inhuman and the Colts defense knows their best shot is to get in his face as much as possible. The best help to the Colts defense is the Colts ball-control, balanced offense. Andrew Luck and his WRs are in top form and the rebuilt offensive line can run block and protect the pocket as well as any team in the league. The Chiefs defense will need to play their best game of the season to get the Colts off the field on third down and that's where the game is won in my opinion. The Colts may be the road team but they are the more balanced team and as a friend of mine often likes to say, balance works every time it's tried. The Colts can move up and down the field and can hold off the Chiefs offense just enough for them to find a win in Arrowhead.
Indianapolis Colts 30, Kansas City Chiefs 27

Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Rams
Saturday, 8:15 PM, FOX
The Rams offense has fallen off the back end of the season while the Cowboys offense has soared since adding WR Amari Cooper to the mix. The Dallas defensive line has generated pressure and that is a concern for the Rams if they can't get the run game going because it takes away their play action passing attack. The Rams star RB Todd Gurley is healthy enough to play here and getting going in priority one. The big key here is the Rams defense. They have to take away the run from the Cowboys and keep consistent pressure on Dak Prescott in order to limit the damage the passing game can do. I think this is a defensive game with the slightest of edge going to the home team, but I won't be surprised to see it go the other way.
Los Angeles Rams 20, Dallas Cowboys 16

Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots
Sunday, 1:05 PM, CBS
Make no mistake, these Patriots are not as special as previous iterations. They've been up and down all year but found a way to win the division and secure the #2 seed regardless. The Chargers are an excellent road team with a passing offense led by the immortal Phillip Rivers and a really good defense. New England's offense is still led by the GOAT, Tom Brady, who has a running game at his disposal. I won't be surprised to see the Patriots line up and run the ball at the Chargers a lot in this game. I think that's what the Chargers are going to do as well. So, expect a short game with the running backs on display but home field advantage matters especially when it comes to the Patriots.
New England Patriots 16, Los Angeles Chargers 14

Philadelphia Eagles @ New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 4:40 PM, FOX
The Eagles under Nick Foles are a team you absolutely cannot give any opening to because they will find a way to capitalize and hurt your team. However, this is different because there isn't a more complete team in the playoffs (or the league this year) than the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees leads an amazing offense that can throw, run, go fast, ball control, you name it. The Saints defense is absolutely ferocious and has shut down more powerful offenses than the Eagles this year. The Eagles are not a great run defense and that's where the Saints are going to find openings early which will lead to shots in the passing game. This remains close for a little bit, but the Saints are the better team and will win comfortably.
New Orleans Saints 34, Philadelphia Eagles 20

Those are my thoughts and picks for the NFL Divisional Round. As always, thanks for reading. Leave your comments below and follow me on Twitter.