Kansas City Chiefs at the Indianapolis Colts
Saturday January 4th 4:35 P.M. ET on NBC
The Kansas City Chiefs went from a dismal 2-14 record to a record of 11-5 and second place in the AFC West behind the Denver Broncos. However after starting off hot with a record of 9-0 they stumbled down to 11-5 winning only 2 of their final 7 games, and one of those losses was to the Colts in Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have shown promise under new head coach Andy Reid and their new quarterback Alex Smith who has had a solid season with over 3,000 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.
The Indianapolis Colts are entering the playoffs winners of 3 in a row and are looking to win a game this season after losing in the wildcard round last year on the road to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. The Colts have had a wild season, they have been blown out but have also hung in tough to win close games and perhaps the biggest against Peyton Manning. Their biggest loss on the team was Reggie Wayne, but the Colts have survived even with a run game that ranks 21st in the NFL.
I have to give the upside in this game to the Chiefs for one big reason: experience... Andy Reid has coached in five NFC title games and a Superbowl, Alex Smith lead the 49ers to the NFC title game in 2011 and helped tutor Colin Kaepernick to a Superbowl in 2012.
Prediction:
The Chiefs win a close one by the score 24-20
San Diego Chargers at the Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday January 5th at 1:05 P.M. ET on CBS
The Chargers enter the playoffs after winning to get in against the Kansas City Chiefs, some call that win lucky (me included) but nevertheless they are in and could be an issue for teams in the AFC playoffs if they win this game. Phillip Rivers turnaround has been part of the success for this team that has had issues over the past 2 seasons leading up to the 2013 campaign. Ryan Matthews also stayed healthy enough to rush for over 1,200 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground which of course aided the Chargers along this season.
The Bengals find themselves in the playoffs for the third straight year since Andy Dalton came in and took the team over at the quarterback spot, but the past 2 seasons they lost to the Texans in the playoffs. This season they face the Chargers who the Bengals beat in San Diego during the regular season, the one thing the Bengals have going for them here is that this game is at home. The Bengals went 8-0 at home in the regular season and played well enough to beat the Ravens on Sunday, but their biggest issue can be turnovers. Andy Dalton threw 20 interceptions this season and 4 came this past Sunday in a win over the Ravens, but he cannot do that in the playoffs and expect to win.
Prediction:
The Chargers pull this one out at the end by the score of 31-28
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