Sanders's Divisional Playoff Picks

Divisional Playoff Predictions

The divisional playoffs are here! It’s time for more exciting football and since I am ready to just talk about the teams, that’s exactly what I am going to do and just going to jump into it.

Sanders went 4-0 last week putting him to 161-97-2 on the season.

Seattle Seahawks vs Atlanta Falcons

A case for the Seahawks:

So the Seahawks won just like I thought they would but not in the way I expected. Seattle finally was able to go back to their identity that made them one of the best teams in the NFL from 2012-2015. They had a fierce running back in the backfield with laser quarterbacking from Russell Wilson along with a defense that kept the Lions off the field. This is exactly how you beat the Falcons. Keep Matt Ryan and Co. OFF the field. Keep up the ball control offense, eat up the clock, score a couple touchdowns with a field goal or two and let the defense do their job. This seems like a rather simple formula and it is. However, that's easier said than done. Containing Julio Jones is practically impossible and last time they "contained" Julio Jones, it was on a missed passed interference that would have won Atlanta the game

Speaking of Julio Jones...

A case for the Falcons:

Atlanta had the last game they played against Seattle notched up except for a blatantly missed PI call on Richard Sherman against Julio Jones. Julio Jones MUST go off to open up the passing game for the rest of the Falcons wide receivers. Also, if the one-two punch if Freeman and Coleman can keep some pressure off the passing game, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Atlanta can score 30+ points. However, that isn't likely and this game will really come down to if the Atlanta defense can live up to the hype its been getting. If they can keep Rawls at bay and force the Seahawks receivers to make the plays, Atlanta can walk away with a hard fought win.

Final Judgment

Give me Atlanta. While the Seahawks are a tough team, this does not feel like a team who can keep pace with Atlanta. Yes, the Seahawks are good at keeping hot offenses at bay, yet without Earl Thomas, good luck containing Julio Jones and if you do, that's exactly what the other Falcons receivers want as they have proved they can carry a game without Julio Jones being majorly productive. And by this, I mean you’ll be wasting too many resources on Jones to contain the others. Also, I'm thinking Vic Beasley has the game of his life for Atlanta on the defense and wins MVP of this game.

Atlanta 28  Seahawks 24

Houston Texans vs New England Patriots

A case for the Texans:

The Texans have a very strong and swarming defense. If there is any team that can get to Tom Brady, it’s the Houston Texans. If Jadaveon Clowney can have another MVP performance like he did against the Raiders, the Texans will limit the Patriots offensively and give their offense a chance to score. Speaking of the Texans offense, Osweiler MUST perform like he did last week. While Osweiler was not outstanding, he was good enough to push the ball forward on the field and keep the chains moving which is all you really need your QB to do when you have an amazing defense like Houston does. If Brady is contained, the Texans have a chance.

On the other hand….

A case for the Patriots:

It’s been nearly impossible to contain Tom Brady who currently has thrown 28 TDs to 4 interceptions which is absolutely incredible for a quarterback to do. Brady has shattered more records this year in what could be another MVP season for him. While I don’t think he will get the MVP that doesn’t matter as long as you keep winning and that’s all New England does right now. While Brady is the key offensive cog, the defense has been showing up as of recent. While this season has been focused on hot offenses, the defense that can bend but not break for their offenses have been the one winning games. The Patriots D doesn’t break and have been one of the best scoring defenses in the second half of the season. You can’t beat Tom Brady and Bill Bellichick if you can’t score against them.

Final Judgment:

I firmly believe this will be a close game for a while and then the Patriots will pull away in the second half. The Patriots are going to tire out the Texans defense and that’s when Tom Brady is going to roll his way on to his ELEVENTH AFC championship. Look for Edelman, Blount, and Mitchell to be competitive advantages for the Patriots offense. By the way, 11 AFC championships is amazing. Just saying.

Texans 16  Patriots 31