Saturday record: 1-1 Playoffs: 3-3
The Eagles managed to get by the Falcons at home, 15-10, with a strong defensive effort in the second half Saturday in which they allowed zero points. They let it be known after the game they took their underdog role seriously, as many players wore dog masks while they gave interviews. Atlanta was never at the same level as it was last season, and it is still hard for me to see this Philly team getting to the Super Bowl. The game today pitting the Vikings and Saints could decide the NFC's Super Bowl participant. The Patriots cruised by the Titans, 35-14. Hopefully, today's games a are a little better.
Jaguars (11-6) at Steelers (13-3), 1:05 p.m. CBS
Jacksonville went into Pittsburgh on Oct. 8 and beat the Steelers. Can they do it again? Fueled by a fantastic defensive effort, the Jaguars got two pick-6s and won, 30-9. Leonard Fournette capped the performance with a 90-yard touchdown run late in the game. Afterward, Ben Roethlisberger said maybe he couldn't play at a high level anymore. But the then-3-2 Steelers won 10 of their last 11 games, and Roethlisberger looked great the rest of the way. Blake Bortles wasn't impressive in the game and didn't have to be, throwing for just 95 yards and a pick. The inconsistent Jaguars QB also threw for less than 100 yards in the team's ugly 10-3 wild card win over the Bills. Jacksonville's defense is awesome, but I highly doubt Roethlisberger will be as bad as he was in the other meeting. The Jaguars' best hope is to control the game with Fournette and their run game, though Bortles was the team's leading rusher last week. I think the Jaguars should present another challenge, but they don't have the firepower they'll need because I'm expecting a better offensive effort from the Steelers this time around.
Steelers 23, Jaguars 16
Saints (12-5) at Vikings (13-3), 4:40 p.m. Fox
The late Sunday game might again be the best of the bunch. In another rematch, New Orleans travels to Minnesota, where it lost way back in Week 1, 29-19. That game looked quite different than this one will, no matter the result. Sam Bradford was the Vikings' QB, and he completed 27 of 32 passes with three TDs. Rookie RB Dalvin Cook burst on to the scene with 127 yards. On the other side of the field, Alvin Kamara didn't do much for the Saints, nor did Mark Ingram, and Adrian Peterson was the Saints' leading rusher against his old team with just 18 yards. Bradford and Cook soon got hurt, paving the way for Case Keenum to revive his career and for Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon to get their chances in the backfield. Peterson was traded to the Cardinals, and Ingram and Kamara became one of the best tailback duos in history. It's hard to take a lot from that game since so much has changed. The Vikings are trying to become the first team to play the Super Bowl at their own stadium, and they need just two wins. Minnesota's defense has been a constant this season, and it'll have to be stout against the run or the pass, because it'll probably be tough to stop both against the Saints. Drew Brees turned back the clock in a vintage performance last week vs. the Panthers, throwing for 376 yards and two TDs. The Saints' defense has been solid, but Keenum has had a very good year, looking nothing like a backup in completing 67.6 percent of his passes for more than 3,500 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. The Vikings' home-field advantage is going to be big, and I like Minnesota to prevail in a close game.
Vikings 24, Saints 23
The Eagles managed to get by the Falcons at home, 15-10, with a strong defensive effort in the second half Saturday in which they allowed zero points. They let it be known after the game they took their underdog role seriously, as many players wore dog masks while they gave interviews. Atlanta was never at the same level as it was last season, and it is still hard for me to see this Philly team getting to the Super Bowl. The game today pitting the Vikings and Saints could decide the NFC's Super Bowl participant. The Patriots cruised by the Titans, 35-14. Hopefully, today's games a are a little better.
Jaguars (11-6) at Steelers (13-3), 1:05 p.m. CBS
Jacksonville went into Pittsburgh on Oct. 8 and beat the Steelers. Can they do it again? Fueled by a fantastic defensive effort, the Jaguars got two pick-6s and won, 30-9. Leonard Fournette capped the performance with a 90-yard touchdown run late in the game. Afterward, Ben Roethlisberger said maybe he couldn't play at a high level anymore. But the then-3-2 Steelers won 10 of their last 11 games, and Roethlisberger looked great the rest of the way. Blake Bortles wasn't impressive in the game and didn't have to be, throwing for just 95 yards and a pick. The inconsistent Jaguars QB also threw for less than 100 yards in the team's ugly 10-3 wild card win over the Bills. Jacksonville's defense is awesome, but I highly doubt Roethlisberger will be as bad as he was in the other meeting. The Jaguars' best hope is to control the game with Fournette and their run game, though Bortles was the team's leading rusher last week. I think the Jaguars should present another challenge, but they don't have the firepower they'll need because I'm expecting a better offensive effort from the Steelers this time around.
Steelers 23, Jaguars 16
Saints (12-5) at Vikings (13-3), 4:40 p.m. Fox
The late Sunday game might again be the best of the bunch. In another rematch, New Orleans travels to Minnesota, where it lost way back in Week 1, 29-19. That game looked quite different than this one will, no matter the result. Sam Bradford was the Vikings' QB, and he completed 27 of 32 passes with three TDs. Rookie RB Dalvin Cook burst on to the scene with 127 yards. On the other side of the field, Alvin Kamara didn't do much for the Saints, nor did Mark Ingram, and Adrian Peterson was the Saints' leading rusher against his old team with just 18 yards. Bradford and Cook soon got hurt, paving the way for Case Keenum to revive his career and for Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon to get their chances in the backfield. Peterson was traded to the Cardinals, and Ingram and Kamara became one of the best tailback duos in history. It's hard to take a lot from that game since so much has changed. The Vikings are trying to become the first team to play the Super Bowl at their own stadium, and they need just two wins. Minnesota's defense has been a constant this season, and it'll have to be stout against the run or the pass, because it'll probably be tough to stop both against the Saints. Drew Brees turned back the clock in a vintage performance last week vs. the Panthers, throwing for 376 yards and two TDs. The Saints' defense has been solid, but Keenum has had a very good year, looking nothing like a backup in completing 67.6 percent of his passes for more than 3,500 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. The Vikings' home-field advantage is going to be big, and I like Minnesota to prevail in a close game.
Vikings 24, Saints 23
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