NFL Playoffs Second Round Set to Go – Part 2

NFL Playoffs Second Round Set to Go – Part 2.  Due to my site getting hacked I am behind in getting the picks in.  I know not really a good excuse.  But it is what it is.  So here we go.

I like the Sunday games better because of the start times of the games.  I think that College games should start at noon on Saturdays and at 1pm on Sundays.  I say that all the time but the truth is I know that is not reasonable and having more games on is better than sticking to a certain start time.   Day two of the Divisional round has some very interesting games.  The Chargers at the Patriots and the Eagles at the Saints have some nice match ups.   They also have potential to be significant blow outs.  Which face of each team is going to show up.

Chargers at Patriots: Sunday January 13th 1:05 p.m.

The Chargers are really quite an amazing story.  They had a good team.  They have no city and they apparently have no fans.  Ok they have a few fans.  But really come on they are playing in an MLS soccer stadium at this point.  Most of the people at their home games are the people that are there rooting for the other team.  That is what makes it so amazing what they  have done this year.   The Chargers are a hard group of players to root against.  The Owner not so much.  The Patriots are the Patriots.  They have been this way for almost 20 seasons.  You either love them or you hate them.  This year is no different.  After premature claims of their demise they are the second seed in the AFC and once again hosting a divisional round playoff game.  Some things never change…

The Chargers will have an uphill battle in this game.  They are playing on the East Coast for the second week in a row.  The Chargers are a great road team.  That probably comes from all their games seem to be on the road.  The games in Los Angeles are road games and of course the road games are road games.   The last time something like this happened it was when the Saints were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.  That was not a choice and had to be done.  What is happening to the Chargers was a choice by the Chargers Owner.

The Patriots were the only team to go undefeated at home this year.  The Patriots have a true home field advantage and during the Brady and Bill Belichick years they have been very difficult to beat at home.  Especially in December and January.The Patriots have been dominant in those games.   Through experience and game planning they seem to have the leg up on who ever they play.

The Chargers can win this game though.  They really only need a few simple things to happen.  Like it is that easy.  LOL.   If the Chargers can get some pressure on Brady they will be able to disrupt the Patriots offense.  With no true deep threat this year and having to cut Gordon.  The Patriots have been lacking a bit.  In past years Brady had been able to over come a lack of receiving talent.  This year I am not sure that they will be able to.  Getting pressure on Brady will not get the Chargers the win by itself.  On offense Phillip Rivers is going to have to play a mistake free game.  He does not have to have the best game of his life.  He cannot afford to throw any interceptions and he needs to avoid being sacked.  If they can do that I see the Chargers winning this game.

Chargers 24 Patriots 21

Eagles at Saints: Sunday January 13th 4:40 p.m.

The Eagles really should not be here.  Much like the Vikings should not have been playing the Eagles in the NFC championship game last year.   The Eagles are not the same team that they were last year.  The Saints are the same team they were last year.  Well maybe not the same team.  Another version of that team that is better.   As we know anything can happen in an NFL games.  Sometimes a team that is better loses a game.  It happens.  It happens a lot.

The Eagles feel like a team that cannot lose with Foles as their quarterback.  But only when he is filling in as a backup.   It is an interesting dynamic.   The Eagles are 6 – 0 in Foles starts when he is filling in for Carson Wentz.   Much like how the Chargers are 0 – 7 against the Patriots in the Phillip Rivers years.   This cannot go on for ever.

Unless the Saints play the worst game of football they have ever played and the Eagles play the best game they have ever played.  I do not see a path to victory here for the Eagles.

Saints 35 Eagles 17