Pittman’s NFL Divisional Championship Round picks
Who's going to win the NFL Playoff games this weekend?
Atlanta Falcons (-2 1/2) at Philadelphia Eagles Saturday, Jan.13, 4:35 p.m.
While the Falcons, who are the defending NFC champions have finally found their mojo, the Eagles have reason to worry. The quarterback play of Nick Foles reminds me of the vulnerable Houston Texans of 2015 when they too were the higher seed but, without their starter and led by now Patriots backup Brian Hoyer, they were crushed by a fully loaded Kansas City team. Now this No. 1 seed Eagles team is a much better team than most people understand and will likely compete, I think Atlanta moves on.Too much speed on both sides of the ball and the disparity in QBs will expose the Eagles. Atlanta 22 Philadelphia 16
Tennessee Titans (+13 1/2) at New England Patriots Saturday, Jan. 13, 8:15 p.m.
If Tom Brady is on the field in the fourth quarter, this will not be a memorable game. Titans fans should be proud of their team for walking out of Kansas City with a playoff win, but who hasn't? The Chiefs own an NFL record six consecutive home playoff losses, including the 18 point lead blown last Saturday to Tennessee, a 28 point lead blown to Indianapolis in 2013 in a stunning 45-44 loss. Point is, without a record horrid day at the office by the most dependable franchise in professional sports in the 21st century, the Patriots should win in a yawner. Patriots 38 Titans 17
Jacksonville Jaguars (+7 1/2) at Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Jan. 14, 1:05 p.m.
In Week 5 of the 2017 NFL season, the Jaguars came to Pittsburgh and ate their lunch in a 30-9 route. Big Ben threw five INTs and Jacksonville's defensive machine was no longer a secret. I refuse to see this game on Sunday as anything like that one. I think the Jaguars who escaped with a win last week against Buffalo in a 10-3 win, should be very concerned with the play of Blake Bortles who threw for 84 yards. Also, I don't believe rookie RB Leonard Fournette is running nearly as well as he was in the first half of the season. This is going to be a very physical AFC North type of game, which is being played in the cold city of Pittsburgh in January, not the warm city of Jacksonville or the much warmer Pittsburgh of Oct. 1. Without knowing just how healthy Antonio Brown is, I still see Pittsburgh wearing the grins at about 4:15 p.m. Steelers 25 Jaguars 17
New Orleans Saints (+3 1/2) at Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Jan,14, 4:40 p.m.
Toughest game to figure but despite the superior history of quarterback play in Drew Brees, this once journeyman QB in Case Keenum has earned my trust. The Vikings also possess an incredibly stingy defense, especially at home. Combine that with the fact that the Saints don't perform offensively nearly as well on the road and you have to very slightly favor Minnesota who has dreams of hosting the Super Bowl as another motivator. Vikings 27 Saints 26