Wild card record: 2-2
Order was restored somewhat last Sunday as both home teams won. Jacksonville topped Buffalo in an ugly affair and the Saints held off the Panthers in the weekend's best game.
Falcons (11-6) at Eagles (13-3), 4:35 p.m. NBC
Philadelphia is the first No. 1 seed to be an underdog against a No. 6 seed in playoff history -- and for good reason, probably. The Eagles' offense struggled down the stretch after the loss of quarterback and MVP candidate Carson Wentz to a knee injury. They had to turn to Nick Foles to fill the void, and he has obviously been a step down from Wentz. The Eagles will need their defense to be great, and it was for much of the year, against defending NFC champion Atlanta, which might be getting hot at the right time and quickly dispatched the Rams from the playoffs last week. Matt Ryan was mistake free at Los Angeles, completing 21 of 30 passes for 218 yards, a touchdown, and no picks. Atlanta's experience seemed to pay off last week, but the Rams actually outgained the Falcons. Atlanta was fortunate to get two fumble recoveries. I like the Falcons, but I think it'll be a close game.
Falcons 20, Eagles 17
Titans (10-7) at Patriots (13-3), 8:15 p.m. CBS
Possibly the only drama in this one, and the only chance the Titans have of pulling off the upset probably, is if the Patriots implode after the ESPN story saying there has basically been a power struggle between coach Bill Belichick, owner Robert Kraft, and quarterback Tom Brady centering on the future of the franchise and former backup QB Jimmy Garappolo, who they traded to the 49ers in the middle of the season. Tennessee rallied from 21-3 down at Kansas City last week as the Chiefs had their own implosion. Marcus Mariota was impressive at QB in the second half for the Titans, who were without RB DeMarco Murray. And this weekend, he is out again. Derrick Henry was solid as the workhorse last week, going for 156 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. But the Titans have struggled on offense for most of the season, and the defense, though good, will be tasked with slowing Brady and the Patriots for long stretches to have a chance. If there's been a problem on New England this year, though, it hasn't shown too much. The team might be somewhat vulnerable with a shaky defense and an aging Brady, who hasn't been as good late in seasons recently, but they should have enough to finish off the Titans at home.
Patriots 28, Titans 17
Order was restored somewhat last Sunday as both home teams won. Jacksonville topped Buffalo in an ugly affair and the Saints held off the Panthers in the weekend's best game.
Falcons (11-6) at Eagles (13-3), 4:35 p.m. NBC
Philadelphia is the first No. 1 seed to be an underdog against a No. 6 seed in playoff history -- and for good reason, probably. The Eagles' offense struggled down the stretch after the loss of quarterback and MVP candidate Carson Wentz to a knee injury. They had to turn to Nick Foles to fill the void, and he has obviously been a step down from Wentz. The Eagles will need their defense to be great, and it was for much of the year, against defending NFC champion Atlanta, which might be getting hot at the right time and quickly dispatched the Rams from the playoffs last week. Matt Ryan was mistake free at Los Angeles, completing 21 of 30 passes for 218 yards, a touchdown, and no picks. Atlanta's experience seemed to pay off last week, but the Rams actually outgained the Falcons. Atlanta was fortunate to get two fumble recoveries. I like the Falcons, but I think it'll be a close game.
Falcons 20, Eagles 17
Titans (10-7) at Patriots (13-3), 8:15 p.m. CBS
Possibly the only drama in this one, and the only chance the Titans have of pulling off the upset probably, is if the Patriots implode after the ESPN story saying there has basically been a power struggle between coach Bill Belichick, owner Robert Kraft, and quarterback Tom Brady centering on the future of the franchise and former backup QB Jimmy Garappolo, who they traded to the 49ers in the middle of the season. Tennessee rallied from 21-3 down at Kansas City last week as the Chiefs had their own implosion. Marcus Mariota was impressive at QB in the second half for the Titans, who were without RB DeMarco Murray. And this weekend, he is out again. Derrick Henry was solid as the workhorse last week, going for 156 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. But the Titans have struggled on offense for most of the season, and the defense, though good, will be tasked with slowing Brady and the Patriots for long stretches to have a chance. If there's been a problem on New England this year, though, it hasn't shown too much. The team might be somewhat vulnerable with a shaky defense and an aging Brady, who hasn't been as good late in seasons recently, but they should have enough to finish off the Titans at home.
Patriots 28, Titans 17
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