Chargers (-3) @ Texans (o/u (41.5)
I like the way the Chargers are playing lately, they're getting stronger and more reliable on both sides of the ball. The Texans, on the other hand, haven't gotten better at anything all season long. The Texans are a nice team in a terrible division, I think they are the weakest squad in the AFC playoffs. Gotta go with the Chargers, 27-14 (Chargers and the under).
Steelers @ Ravens (-9.5) (44.5)
The Steelers make the playoffs year after year no matter how terrible that offense is--I just don't know how they do it! They haven't won in the playoffs in eons, but really haven't deserved to be a post-season team in eons more. The Ravens have kinda flipped: after being a defensive stalwart with a mediocre offense for years, they are now a dominant attacking squad with a so-so defense. Can the Steelers stop the Ravens running game? I don't see it happening. Can the Steelers score enough to keep this competitive in the 4th quarter? I don't see that happening, either. Ravens 31-10 (Ravens and the under)
Broncos @ Bills (-8.5) (47.5)
The Broncos have been up and down, but I think they're a pretty good squad with a stingy defense and a plucky rookie QB. I don't think they're as good as the Bills, though, who have the ability to pile up points as well as anyone in the league. I like the Broncos to hang into the 3rd quarter. but the slightest mistake will bury them. The Bills will score and the Broncos won't keep up. Bills 31-21 (Bills and the over)
Packers @ Eagles (-5) (45.5)
This is the game I find the most difficult to project. If the Eagles bring their A game, they can roll up the Packers with a quickness; but if they don't, the Packers could hang and be a real danger late in the game. The Packers are young but they had a good playoff win last year and overcame a potentially crippling QB injury this season while surviving one of the toughest divisions I've seen in ages. The Eagles at their best are the better team but anything short of their best makes this a rather even match. I think the Eagles hold off a late rally and get the W. Eagles 27-24 (Eagles and the over)
Commanders @ Bucs (-3) (50.5)
I kept expecting the Commanders to fall off at some point because they had a maddening quality: they won games they should've lost and lost games they should've won. A young team with a good rookie QB can get on a roll or mature faster than expected, but the Commanders have ups and downs that are more like a veteran squad--that I don't understand at all! The Bucs have been much maligned but I think they've been a pretty good squad all year long, with some good W's and playing a tougher schedule than I think anyone noticed. I think the Bucs are the better team and should probably finish this game off; but the Commanders are unpredictable, wouldn't be shocked if they blew up and won this game. I think the Bucs get an early lead, control the game, hold off a late rally. Bucs 26-20 (Bucs and the under)
Vikings @ Rams (-2.5) (47.5)
Man, the Vikings missed the #1 seed by a wisp and just like that, they've not even a favorite in the playoffs. The Vikings just piled up W's all season long, with a strong defense and an excellent passing game. The Rams have a savvy QB that can get it done when the time comes, but I just don't think the Rams defense is good enough to hang. This should be a fun back and forth kinda game but I think the Vikings are the better team and will have more points by game's end. Vikings 34-31 (Vikings and the over)
