Pats vs. Chiefs 4:35pm CBS
Pats giving 4.5 points, Chiefs coming to New England on an 11-game winning streak. I don't care who you've played, an 11-game win streak speaks for itself. The Pats have obviously been banged up the last few weeks of the season, but should have Amendola and Edelman back. The biggest question mark is Gronk, who had to go get treatment at the hospital this week for a knee ailment. New reports also show that his back has been bothering him as well. My guess is he suits up but is super, super limited and a non-factor in this game. Which hurts the Pats, who face a defense that has shown grit and toughness the past few weeks.
This game hinges on the Chiefs defense. If they don't keep the Pats off of the board early, I doubt the Chiefs pedestrian offense will be able to keep up. That brings us to the topic of Jeremy Maclin, who is expected to be a game-time decision tomorrow with a "mild" high ankle sprain. He didn't practice Thursday and personally, I don't think he's able to go tomorrow. This makes Travis Kelce's role Saturday at crucial one. Andy Reid has done a mediocre job at getting him involved and that NEEDS to change if the Chiefs want to score in this one. Kelce is a tremendous talent and he needs to be targeted 10+ times tomorrow.
The pick: Tom Brady struggles out of the gate against a good Chiefs defense, but eventually finds his stride targeting Julian Edelman. The defense keeps the Chiefs in the game as they pound the run game, and are able to link up with Kelce in the red zone. This one comes down to a Stephen Gostkowski field goal which he knocks through. Pats win 23-20.
Chiefs +4.5
OVER 42
Cards vs. Packers 8:15pm NBC
Rematch of a matchup from a couple of weeks back where the Cardinals waxed Green Bay, 38-8. This one turns out a little bit differently, as the Packers are coming off of a 35 point week against the Skins. Let's be real, the Skins had no business being there, still think that helps the Pack in this one. Rodgers has not been himself the whole season statistically, and his throws have been pretty terrible. However, I think Mike McCarthy, who has a ton of playoff experience, is prepared for this one. What happened in the Week 16 game will not happen again tomorrow night. I'm positive.
After a dropped onside kick kept them out of the Super Bowl last year, they showed last week that they mean business. But is it enough to take down the Cardinals?
Carson Palmer hasn't played in a playoff game since 2010, and the two playoffs games he's played in, he's lost both. Definitely potential for a total choke tomorrow out of Palmer, but I would doubt it. He's been a top 5 QB all season, and has been dropping absolute dimes to his receivers. I think David Johnson is the difference in this one. The guy is a beast, and if they don't develop the ground game out of the gate, they have a hard time scoring.
Having a hard time scoring against the Packers could bring a whirlwind of problems for Arizona. I think Rodgers comes ready to play tomorrow night, and maybe even Eddie Lacy and James Starks do too. Those two have been so, so shitty all season and its the reason the Packers didn't win consistently. Not to mention their offensive line is also a piece of swiss cheese.
The pick: Cardinals display their stout defense early on, forcing a turnover early, which Palmer cashes in on. The Packers strike back to keep it close, but the game remains relatively low scoring. The Cardinals eventually pull away and Rodgers doesn't have an answer for Bruce Arian's stifling defense. Cards win 24-14.
Cardinals -7
UNDER: 49.5
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