SteemSports Presenter: Matthew Biamonte, @gnocdepatat
SteemSports General Manager: Nolan Jacobson, @theprophet0, STEEM Witness, PeerPlays Witness & DECENT Miner (Witness)
Last week, we looked at my predictions for wildcard weekend. As expected, there was some concern with my picks for divisional seeding’s. This week we’ll cover the divisional weekend, and this is going to be a fun one! We’re down to the final 8 teams, let’s dive into my predictions.
Remember, these are my divisional rankings:
NFC
- Atlanta Falcons
- New York Giants
- Green Bay Packers
- Seattle Seahawks
Dallas Cowboys (eliminated by Seattle)Carolina Panthers (eliminated by Green Bay)
AFC
NFC Game 1: Atlanta Falcons vs Seattle Seahawks
This game is my prediction for most exciting of the 2017-2018 NFL playoffs. This isn’t the same Seattle team who boasted an immovable defense for 2 or 3 years, but this team isn’t exactly lacking on the defensive side of the ball either. That’s good news for Seattle, because they’re going to need every last drop of that defensive talent in order to stop a high flying Falcons team led by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. Add a devastating running back duo in Coleman and Freeman, and the Seahawks are going to have their hands full.
On the other side of the ball, look for Seattle to take advantage of a young and often overly-aggressive Falcons defense. If even one of the Rawls-Lacy-Collins trio can produce this year, Seattle will come out swinging with a downhill running attack. A few big plays from Wilson and his receiver’s and this game has all the necessary ingredients for a shootout. I expect a high scoring, highly entertaining game with the Falcons coming out on top.
Final: Seattle Seahawks 31 – Atlanta Falcons 41
NFC Game 2: Green Bay Packers vs New York Giants
Aaron Rodgers is one of the top 3 quarterbacks in the league. He has a solid group of receivers to support him, an interesting situation in the backfield, and a decent defense. Against most teams, Rodgers’ pure skill would be enough to win the game, the issue here is: The New York Giants aren’t most teams. A deadly group of linemen, topped with a young but fierce secondary is going to give Aaron a massive headache.
Expect Rodgers to be pressured A LOT. Expect him to turn over the ball 2 or 3 times. Perhaps most importantly, expect his surrounding cast to provide little to no help. As much as this sounds like a knock on Green Bay, it isn’t; it’s a display of confidence in the Giants defense. Landon Collins has developed into (in my opinion) the best young safety in the NFL. He’s a tone setter, and he WILL set the tone. The secondary alone is enough to scare most QB’s, the added pressure from the defensive line will be the finisher. The Giant’s offensive looks to be like an impressive group in their own right, and I expect them to dominate a Green Bay defense that is going to see a ton of field time. Giants take this in a convincing victory.
Final: Green Bay Packers 10 – New York Giants 28
AFC Game 1: Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos
If you were to look at the offensive skill positions on these two teams, you’d probably give Denver a slight edge because of their receivers. If you look at the defense, slight edge Denver again. Simply put, for most of their rosters these two teams are about as identical/evenly matched as it gets. Unfortunately for Denver, that’s not all that comes into play in a football game.
Oakland has far and away the better QB situation, and to be blunt: outside of the center, Denver doesn’t even come close in the offensive line matchup. In a game that is sure to be a tight one, expect the team with the better QB and line to take the victory. Khalil Mack might not be Von Miller, but he sure does have an easier route to the QB. Oakland’s secondary might not boast 2 of the top 5 in the league, but they’re not going against a top 10 QB. This will be a close game, but the outcome is what we’d all expect. Derek Carr and his offense will take this win. When two teams are this even, the one that has a legitimate QB will almost always take the game.
Final: Oakland Raiders 21 – Denver Broncos 17
AFC Game 2: Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots
I want to preface this by saying that I absolutely love the way the Steelers look this year. If everyone can stay healthy, they should have a rather dominate offensive showing. Bell, Brown and Big Ben are the best trio in the league in my opinion, and the offensive line has started to look like a real unit. The defense may need some work, but they’ve improved and I expect them to be competitive. That being said, this is the New England Patriots they’re up against.
New England was dominate for most of last year. They slipped up in the big game, but woke up in the late 3rd and showed us why they were last year’s favourites. Pretty much every team they played looked out classed. The scary part is, they’ve actually improved by many accounts. Most notably, the addition of Brandon Cooks; Drew Brees’ old number one guy. This should push an already dominate Pats team over the top. Brady, Cooks, Edelman, Gronk, and company are going to run all over this very good Steelers team. Pats take this game easily, but the score looks a lot closer than the game was. Expect field goals and garbage time points from the Steelers.
Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 20 – New England Patriots 28
Next week we’ll dissect the conference final games. As always, I look forward to debating with you all in the comments section; leave your thoughts! Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next week!
My Steelers getting eliminated by Pats again?! Damn!
They're one of those teams that have the potential for the conference final game. My rankings however had them playing the Pats and we'll
Nah nah Ravens are in it this year! Watch out #flockgang
The Atlanta Falcons are definitely gonna be a problem this year! Rise Up!!!!
yeah.. a problem for their fans #patsnation
So sad, and yet, so predictable that the Packers lose to Eli & the Giants. I wish the Packers could move their trainers into the 21st century in order to avoid the season ending injuries they always seem to suffer.
I can take some consolation in the fact that I won't have to watch this in the post season.
and that I always have this.
on behalf of the patriots' receiving corp, good luck to the rest of the league's secondaries.