AFC Divisional
4. Houston Texans (10-7) @ 1. New England Patriots (14-2)
Finally, the Divisional Round, the best weekend of football during the season. Listen, the Super Bowl is about everything but football. It’s just the way life is now. Championship Sunday is still solid, but only two games make it rough.
The Divisional Round is where it’s at. But then comes the reality of the situation in 2017.
Has there ever been a BYE team who’s had an easier cakewalk to Championship Sunday? I mean, come on now.
Bill Belichick’s squad will either face the Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders or Miami Dolphins in the big game on the AFC side. Let’s just say the Pats will be there in two weeks. Only Miami could provide a few headaches, but even still, Tom Brady’s tuneup will come in the form of an easy one.
Patriots 38, Texans 21
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) @ 2. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
If the Giants-Packers is the game of the week during the Wild Card Round, this one will take the crown during the Divisional.
The offense of Pittsburgh will take its act to Kansas City to take on, perhaps, the most balanced team in the NFL.
It’ll be a fun one. There’s no doubt about it. And while many will scoff at the notion that Alex Smith can get it done when it matters most, we have different ideas.
Smith is a game manager. His arm is suspect and he simply cannot make dynamite plays like a Brady or Stafford can. However, Smith is a tremendous game-managing QB. He’s so good, in fact, that the add-on of explosive Tyreek Hill can make all the difference in the world.
Without a championship-caliber defense, the Steelers will fall at Arrowhead.
