Posted on 01/14/2017 12:00:45 PM PST by Jim W N
Summary of projected winners this weekend:
Falcons
Patriots
Chiefs
Cowboys
Analysis:
Rankings are from the final regular season stats. Numbers represent overall and specific NFL rankings by points except pass/run ranked by yardage. Depending on who has the ball, compare offense/defense strengths in pass/run yardage to anticipate best game plan.
Saturday, Jan 14, 2:35 PM MT FOX
#6 Seattle at #2 Atlanta
Atlanta Offense #1: 1 Pass 5 Run
Seattle Defense #3: 18 Pass 1 Run
Seattle Offense #18: 5 Pass 24 Run
Atlanta Defense #27: 11 Pass 26 Run
The best part of the game will be Atlanta with the ball. With the best pass offense in the NFL against a mediocre Seattle pass defense, Atlanta should mostly pass. Atlanta’s strong running game will be severely tested by Seattle’s #1 run defense. Seattle should mostly pass and its strong passing game will be tested by a good Atlanta pass defense. Could be a shoot-out. Both can play catchup with their great passing games. Winner: Atlanta.
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Saturday, Jan 14, 6:15 PM MT CBS
#26 Houston vs. #1 New England
NE Offense #3:......... 3 Pass 25 Run
Houston Defense #11: 2 Pass 11 Run
Houston Offense #18: 32 Pass 19 Run
NE Defense #1:.......... 8 Pass 8 Run
The most interesting part of the game will be NE with the ball. Houston’s scoring defense belies their defensive yardage advantage over NE. NE should mostly pass but Houston’s #2 pass defense should do a lot to slow them down. Houston should mostly run but should be shut down by NE’s #1 defense. Winner: New England.
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Sunday, Jan 15, 11:05 PM MT NBC
#5 Pittsburgh vs. #4 Kansas City
KC Offense #13:.......... 15 Pass 16 Run
Pittsburgh Defense #10: 15 Pass 19 Run
Pittsburgh Offense #10: 13 Pass 8 Run
KC Defense #7:........... 12 Pass 24 Run
Pittsburgh, weaker in points scored than KC, is stronger in yardage which often means an upset in the making. The key could be Pittsburgh’s #8 running game against a weak #24 KC running defense. Pittsburgh should run A LOT. The question is whether Pittsburgh’s coaches recognize their running advantage. Often with a premier QB like Roethlisberger playoff teams who should mostly run instead pass too much. The Pittsburgh offensive game plan to mostly run will be critical if they want to upset KC. Winner: Kansas City.
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Sunday, Jan 15, 2:40 PM MT FOX
#8 Green Bay vs. #3 Dallas
Dallas Offense #5: 4 Pass 3 Run
GB Defense #21: 32 Pass 14 Run
GB Offense #4: ....15 Pass 7 Run
Dallas Defense #5: 13 Pass 11 Run
Dallas #5 offense should mostly pass and roll over GB’s weak defense. GB should mostly run but probably won’t with Rogers on a tear. Could be a fun game but Dallas should outscore GB. Winner: Dallas.
Proud Packers fan here ......
I disagree with your Dallas wins theory.
Packers will rock.
PS: we dont really care who mc’s the game either.
I always like to read/watch these pundits after games and listen to their excuses on how the other team won. GO HAWKS!!
So this genius thinks that Green Bay should mostly run the ball? They don’t even have a good, healthy running back. What they do have is a QB who is already one of the best QBs to ever play the game. They have already won a Super Bowl on the strength of his passing ability, he is in a zone right now where few QBs could even dream of, and has a better playoff QB rating than Brady, Montana, and both Mannings. So, yeah, I guess they should feature their almost non-existent running game. LOL
Aaron is playing some of the best QB I have ever seen right now. Amazing performance last weekend. If he keeps playing like that Green Bay has a much better chance that we thought only weeks ago.
Ping
Go Hawks!!
Just confirming...these times are MOUNTAIN time?TIA
How does GB’s mediocre-to-lousy defense overcome Dallas’ tough offense?
It may turn out to be a shoot out and Rodgers could come out on top, but he may have a steep climb because Dallas should score a lot.
Do that with me. Think you might be surprised. Atlanta is a weird team - great offense and terrible defense although their run defense isn't too shabby.
Should be an interesting and hopefully enjoyable game.
“Green Bay should mostly run the ball?”
Check out the matchups and comparative rankings based on regular season stats.
GB Offense #4:..... 15 Pass 7 Run
Dallas Defense #5: 13 Pass 11 Run
Looks like GB could do better in the run than the pass against Dallas. GB should probably be thinking a balanced attack and hopefully lots of play action. Hoping for an interesting and good game.
#5 Pittsburgh vs. #4 Kansas City
Rescheduled to the night game on Sunday (8:20pm ET) because of the ice storms in Kansas.
Yes. I’m in AZ so we’re on Mountain Time right now.
YES, GO HAWKS!!
Gooooooooooo HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Could be some good Superbowl rematch possibilities rematch of Superbowl 1 KC vs Green bay. Steelers vs cowboys, new england vs Green bay, New England vs Seattle I believe NFL is hoping for New England vs Dallas ratings wise. Can’t wait to see how it pans out
FYI Pitt/KC has been moved to an evening game. Check local listings for time in your area. A winter storm is coming through and they wanted more time to clear the roads.
Dallas will likely focus on their running game. And likely do quite well with it.
But I don’t think they can keep up with Aaron Rogers arm. Or the eyes in the back of his head. Or his juke ballet.
Same precision skill and ability to find the open man as Montana, but a better arm. He’s a far better QB than Brady and will show it as he did last week.
As for that rookie QB in Dallas in his first playoff game? That’s a very tough place to be and he’ll be on a short leash. Look for Dallas to showcase an excellent running game to 20 pts, while GB and Rogers put up 30+ with little more than 20mins of possession time.
No fan of any of these teams, so: Seahawks, Steelers, and Packers find ways to win, Patriots destroy the Texans.
And with the Spanos Crime Family absconding to Smell-A with the Chargers, I, as a San Diego resident, return to my boyhood team, the Redskins.
Due to the weather in the midwest/east can’t make my flights right now so kicking back in airport bar/grill (no alky) to watch game.
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