Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) vs. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
Ranks
Offense
Chiefs – 21st
Colts – 15th
Defense
Chiefs – 24th
Colts – 20th
Kansas City was off to a fast start this season. With some bumps in the road and a few injuries the Chiefs stumbled to only clinch a wild card spot in the AFC. That’s probably for the best as the Chiefs don’t need any added pressure by hosting a playoff game with such an amazing turnaround from last year. If the Chiefs are to continue on this solid season they will need a good, well maybe a great game from QB Alex Smith. He has been solid this year, but at times his receivers and offensive line have let him down. Thankfully he has a healthy Jamaal Charles to keep the defense honest both in the running and passing game. The Chiefs will need more than just Charles getting them scoring chances. For the Colts their defense is among the fastest in the league, but they don’t always play at a high level. QB Andrew Luck has had more pressure put on him this year than last, but he still managed to get the Colts to the playoffs again with a division title. The Colts were in a close game last year with the Baltimore Ravens and this years matchup should bode similar results. Indy’s defense will have to be better than advertised if they want to advance.
Matchup to watch for: Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles vs. Colts defense
New Orleans Saints (11-5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
Ranks
Offense
Saints – 4th
Eagles – 2nd
Defense
Saints – 4th
Eagles – 29th
This should be a high scoring game with two of the best offenses in the NFL this year. With the Saints their defense has been good for most of the year, but they have shown at times that they lose interest. That will have to change this week against a high flying Eagles offense that doesn’t take a play off. With Saints QB Drew Brees still playing at a high level he’ll have to not turn the ball over if the Saints want to keep the Eagles offense off the field. Philadelphia has been a surprise all year long. Ever since Nick Foles took over the quarterback position the Eagles haven’t looked back. With RB LeSean McCoy leading the league in rushing the Eagles haven’t shown any weakness on offense. Their defense is peaking at the right time and they’ll have to play their best game of the year to beat the Saints at their own game.
Matchup to watch for: Saints QB Drew Brees vs. Eagles defense
San Diego Chargers (9-7) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
Ranks
Offense
Chargers – 5th
Bengals – 10th
Defense
Chargers – 23rd
Bengals – 3rd
Not many people thought the Chargers would be a playoff team this year. They were the winners of the final playoff spot in the AFC with their overtime win over the Kansas City Chiefs, who played their backups. San Diego’s QB Phillip Rivers has had a great season leading the Chargers. He has had his ups and downs this year, but for the most part he has been exactly what they’ve needed to be a playoff team once again. If the Chargers defense doesn’t give up too many big plays to the Bengals then San Diego will continue their string of good luck. Cincinnati has been bitten too many times under the Marvin Lewis era, but they believe this is their time. They’re hosting a playoff game and haven’t lost at home this season. It’s a good start for a team that has a solid defense and a prolific offense. At times though QB Andy Dalton has thrown too many interceptions in crucial situations this year. That can’t happen if the Bengals are to win a home playoff game.
Matchup to watch for: Chargers defense vs. Bengals QB Andy Dalton
San Francisco 49ers (12-4) vs. Green Bay Packers (8-7-1)
Ranks
Offense
49ers – 24th
Packers – 3rd
Defense
49ers – 5th
Packers – 25th
This has become quite the rivalry for the past 20 years now with many playoff and regular season games between the two of them. The 49ers know that the Packers are getting tired of losing to them and this won’t be easy with the weather being on Green Bay’s side. San Francisco has had some trouble moving the ball consistently this year, but if they can get the running game going in this game with RB Frank Gore it will help keep Packers QB Aaron Rodgers off the field. The Niners defense has done a pretty good job against Rodgers the last few games, but with him coming off a great game against the Chicago Bears to end the season, he’s motivated to keep it going. Green Bay’s defense has let them down a lot this season. That can’t happen if they want to win this game. They know what Aaron Rodgers can do for them, but the Packers are in no position to win a shootout. Protecting Rodgers and stopping the 49ers offense will be their biggest issues in this game.
Matchup to watch for: 49ers offense vs. Packers defense
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