THISWEEKEND’SDIVISIONALPLAYOFFS
CHIEFS AT PATRIOTS
Time: 3:35 p.m. Sat., Ch. 2. Line: Patriots by 5. Total: 42.
Records (overall/ATS): Chiefs 12-5/9-8; Patriots 12-4/7-7-2.
Outlook: The Patriots look shaky with four losses in their last six games. They’ve lost at home (Eagles), in the snow (Broncos) and in prime time (Broncos)— scenarios where they usually prevail. The last time they appeared this vulnerable was against the Chiefs last year, when Tom Brady was overwhelmed by the Chiefs’ pass rush in a 41-14 loss at Arrowhead. Pats won their next seven— scoring 37 or more six times— and won SB XLIX. Mark Potash’s pick: Patriots, 24-17.
Marc Silverman’s pick: Chiefs. Mike North’s pick: Patriots.
PACKERS AT CARDINALS
Time: 7:15 p.m. Sat., Ch. 5. Line: Cardinals by 7. Total: 50.
Records (overall/ATS): Packers 11-6/ 10-7; Cardinals 13-3/9-7.
Outlook: The Packers flipped the switch last week and dominated the Redskins in the second half en route to a 35-18 victory. But that was against a Redskins team that was 0-4 vs. winning teams (losing by a combined 140-64). This is a step up in class against a Cardinals team that dominated the Packers in a 38-8 rout at home three weeks ago. Dom Capers vs. Bruce Arians/Carson Palmer is the matchup to watch.
Potash’s pick: Cardinals, 27-24. Silverman’s pick: CARDINALS.
North’s pick: Packers.
SEAHAWKS AT PANTHERS
Time: Noon Sun., Fox-32. Line: Panthers by 2 ½ . Total: 44.
Records (overall/ATS): Seahawks 11-6/8-8-1; Panthers 15-1/11-5.
Outlook: Karma seemed to play a key role in last year’s playoffs, when the teams that were most fortunate to win (Cowboys vs. the Lions; Packers vs. the Cowboys; Seahawks vs. the Packers) lost in excruciating fashion the following game. The Seahawks, who were fortunate victors over the Vikes last week, know all too well how that works. But Pete Carroll’s teams have a knack for avenging losses when they really need it. Potash’s pick: SEAHAWKS, 31-27.
Marc Silverman’s pick: Panthers. Mike North’s pick: Panthers.
STEELERS AT BRONCOS
Time: 3:40 p.m. Sun., Ch. 2. Line: Broncos by 7. Total: OFF.
Records (overall/ATS): Steelers 11-6/ 9-6-2; Broncos 12-4/8-8.
Outlook: The Broncos, who lost to the Steelers 34-27 at Heinz Field on Dec. 20, have their own history of avenging losses— they beat the Chargers and Patriots en route to the Super Bowl under John Fox in 2014. But the Steelers, fortunate winners over the Bengals, look like a team that can parlay a break into a bonanza. Peyton Manning is an x-factor. But all bets are off until we see if Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown will play. Potash’s pick: Broncos, 23-20 (OT).
Marc Silverman’s pick: Steelers. Mike North’s pick: STEELERS.