NFL Divisional Finals Preview and Predictions: By Kyle Balfour

NFL Week 2 Preview:
By Stuart Tomlin

(All times BST.)

  

Another week in the NFL, another week of fun, predictions, and me fuming at the Indianapolis Colts. Starting off with fulfilling a promise by shouting out NFL Brits’ Blair Thomson for his excellent victory in fantasy in the NFL Elite week this week. Also, well done Elliot Stradling for beating me in the Gentleman’s League. Marc Rafferty, you’re next.

Anyway, let’s get to it, shall we?

1.30am Friday 15^th September (Thursday 14^th in US)

Cincinnati Bengals v. Houston Texans
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Oh boy, let the Thursday Night Football cavalcade of fun begin! We’ve got Andy LOLton and the Cincinnati Bengals, who scored absolutely no points whatsoever last week against the Houston Texans who got blown out by the Jaguars. At home. For God’s sake Houston, you let the Jags use the term “Sacksonville” which might even top “Jaguaring” for the worst thing ever. I actually have to pick this game, don’t I? Well, I’ve benched Tyler Eifert this week, so chances are he’ll score about three touchdowns. On that reason, I’ll go with the Bengals.

6.00pm Sunday 17^th September

Carolina Panthers v. Buffalo Bills
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Both these teams won last week, against absolutely terrible opponents. The Panthers dominated the Niners while the Bills won, fairly comfortably in the end, against the Jets. This one is interesting as it’s Sean McDermott going back to Carolina to face his old team. This is a tough one to call, I quite like both teams here. But I think I’m gonna go with the right call when in doubt, and go with the home squad. Carolina is the more talented team overall, and I think that’ll be enough. Panthers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v. Chicago Bears
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

The Buccs make their 2017 bow after last week’s call off due to Hurricane Irma, and with that Mike Evans finally makes his bow for my fantasy team. That aside, the Bears were surprisingly competitive last week and were two dumb dropped passes away from beating the reigning NFC Champions, then did Bears like things and dropped said passes, costing them the Week 1 win. It’s honestly hard to call this one as we have nothing to go off on the Buccaneers. I think the Bears defensive line and a potential shaky Buccs offensive line might cause problems for Winston, but I think he has enough weapons to overcome it. Buccaneers.

Pittsburgh Steelers v. Minnesota Vikings
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is an interesting one for me personally as the Vikings and the Steelers met four years ago at Wembley Stadium, in what was my first ever NFL game live. So, this tie will always have sentimental value for me when it comes round every four years. This is another interesting fixture, with Sam Bradford on form last week, and the Steelers defence causing problems for the Browns early last week before allowing them back in the game. Problem is I love the Steelers offence AND the Vikings defence, and I need Le’veon Bell to do bits in fantasy. BUT, going for the bold upset and taking Minny. Bradford was boss last week and if he can play like that again, they have a real chance against the Steelers. Vikings.

Indianapolis Colts v. Arizona Cardinals
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

For the love of all that is holy, Indianapolis, START JACOBY BRISSETT THIS WEEK. Scott Tolzien is an absolute bin fire of a quarterback, and we’ll get annihilated with him under centre. If Brissett starts we have a bit more of a chance. The Cardinals and millions of fantasy owners will be without David Johnson for a few weeks, which means former Colts seventh round pick Kerwynn Williams will get the start for Arizona, which means he’ll probably get over 100 yards rushing against us, because Colts. When’s Andrew Luck back? I guess I have to pick this game, and against everything my instincts are telling me, I’m going to go with the biased homer pick, because I’m loyal, or a complete idiot. Delete as applicable. Go Colts.

New Orleans Saints v. New England Patriots
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Even as a Colts fan, Angry Tom Brady is absolutely outstanding to watch. It’s impressive to see him bounce back from a rough performance to absolutely annihilate the next opponents up against the Pats. This week’s victim? The Saints. The Saints were pretty brutal against the Vikings, Adrian Peterson did the disappearing act on his return to Minnesota, and while Brees is an outstanding Quarterback, Brady has to be licking his lips looking at the Saints defence he has to face this week. Brandon Cooks being back in New Orleans is a fun sub-plot, too. Thank God we don’t have to hear about 19-0 for the rest of the year, though. Patriots.

Baltimore Ravens v. Cleveland Browns
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

That Ravens defence was something else, week 1, wasn’t it? Tearing the Bengals’ offence to absolute bits, and giving absolutely no fucks about your attempts to throw the ball, Andy Dalton. They face a Cleveland team that was surprisingly effective against the Steelers and kept it close, but Kizer is nowhere near the finished product. He probably won’t be this season, to be fair. Give him time, though. He won’t get much against this Ravens D. Ravens.

Kansas City Chiefs v. Philadelphia Eagles
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

The Andy Reid Bowl. Get excited, folks! This game is one of the most exciting prospects of the week and I kinda wish it wasn’t on at 6pm so I could actually watch it. Regardless, the Chiefs did what we all expected them to do and absolutely destroyed the Super Bowl Champions in Foxborough, causing the absolutely brilliant scenes of the Gillette Stadium Fire Drill midway through the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Eagles showed both good and bad Carson Wentz last week, offsetting boss touchdown plays with a horrible interception. We got more of the good Wentz last week, but the Chiefs defence might see more of the bad Wentz this week. Expect Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt to do magical things and Alex Smith to continue to defy expectations of being able to throw further than three yards. Chiefs.

Jacksonville Jaguars v. Tennessee Titans
Everbank Field, Jacksonville, Florida#

AFC South Football. Get ready for the fun. I say that fully as a fan of an AFC South team. It’s like the way I can slag off Dundee, but fuck anyone from outside there who says anything bad about it. Anyways, this might be a surprisingly good game. I’m actually genuinely surprised this isn’t the Thursday night game, because the NFL loves putting these two against each other on Thursdays, because reasons? *checks* Hah. No Thursday night game between these two this year. Odd. Regardless, the Titans’ offensive line is suspect, and the Jaguars defence might finally be living up to expectations. However, on the flip side of that, Marcus Mariota is a much, much better quarterback than Blake Bortles. Therefore, Titans.

9.05pm Sunday 17^th September:

Oakland Raiders v. New York Jets
O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

The Las Ve…Oakland Raiders welcome the Jets to, well, Oakland, for now anyway, for their home opener, and after the impressive way the Raiders beat the Titans week 1, a much, much better team than the Jets, you’d expect me to pick Oakland this week…and you’d be right. Derek Carr was superb, and while the Raiders are a little suspect in pass defence (even despite having the sensational Khalil Mack), the Jets are starting Josh McCown. Oh boy. This might get quite ugly in a hurry. I did say that about the Patriots and the Chiefs last week…but yeah. Raiders.

Los Angeles Chargers v. Miami Dolphins
Stubhub Center, Carson, Los Angeles, California

Speaking of teams with very, very awkward moves, the Los Angeles Chargers – that still does not sound right – begin their new start in their new temporary 30,000 seat home, before they become the Los Angeles Rams’ new flatmate in a few years. The Dolphins have the same approach as the Buccaneers in this preview – they missed week 1 due to Hurricane Irma, so we have no idea how they are going to look…although they have Jay Cutler at Quarterback…Chargers.

9.25pm Sunday 17^th September:

Denver Broncos v. Dallas Cowboys
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

The Cowboys go to Denver in what will be an interesting battle between the Cowboys’ running game and the Broncos’ run defence. Ezekiel Elliott is available for this game after winning his appeal, and will prove a stern test for this Broncos team. On the flip side of this, the improvement of the Broncos’ offensive line will give their running game and CJ Anderson in particular some room to work, along with Jamaal Charles. The Cowboys were impressive, particularly defensively, in a game that was a bit of a slog to watch, all truth being said. This Broncos’ offence might prove to be a challenge, but I think it’s one Dallas can fend off. I’m taking Prescott over Siemian all day long, too. Cowboys.

Seattle Seahawks v. San Francisco 49ers
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

This used to be an absolutely sensational fixture to watch every single year, when the 49ers were contesting for the Super Bowl alongside Seattle. That 2013-14 NFC Championship game with Crabtree and Sherman’s feud was unreal. We’re a bit removed from those days seeing as the 49ers have been a bit of a disaster area for the last few years under Tomsula and Chip Kelly. Kyle Shanahan may eventually bring them back to prominence, but he’s gonna need a lot more than Brian Hoyer and this roster to do it. The Seahawks meanwhile played a horrendous game against the Packers, and that offence is going to be absolutely pissed off. And at home, with that crowd? Yeah. Seahawks.

Los Angeles Rams v. Washington Redskins
L.A. Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Sean McVay against Sean McVay’s former team. For the sake of my ego and self-respect, I’m gonna just bypass what the Rams did last week. Yeah…they didn’t play. Game was called off. It never happened. Meanwhile, the Washingtons were decent, not brilliant, but lost to the Eagles last week. McVay knows Cousins inside and out, and think that might end up proving to be the difference. Honestly, I can see Kirk Cousins playing in San Francisco next year. But that’s next year. For this year, I have my doubts about this Washington roster, and the Rams were impressive in that game that didn’t happen last week. Oh God, it’s happening. I’m picking the Los Angeles Rams to win a game of football. It might be another sign of the apocalypse, folks. Hah, remember when Madden 17 predicted Jeff Fisher to be coaching the Rams against Washington in the playoffs? What a time to be alive. Rams.

1.30am Monday 18^th September (Sunday in US):

Atlanta Falcons v. Green Bay Packers
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game of the Week, and what a game it is. Falcons open up their new stadium, well open up everything except the Chick-Fil-A stand (closed on Sundays) against the Green Bay Packers in a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship game. The Falcons and Packers both had close run victories in different fashions against the Bears and Seahawks respectively. The Falcons’ defence is starting to look impressive and will prove to be a tough task for Aaron Rodgers, but Aaron Rodgers is Aaron Rodgers and will probably do Aaron Rodgers like things. Not that Matty Ice is any slouch either. This could be an incredible game to watch. Clear your Mondays, folks, this is gonna be fun…I have to pick a winner? The fans. The game of football. And, only just, the Packers.

1.30am Tuesday 19^th September (Monday in US)

New York Giants v. Detroit Lions
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Is Beckham still out this week? My pick for this game kinda hinges on it. Well, that and whether the Lions are leading in the fourth quarter (lose) or not (win). Can I get back to you about 4am on Tuesday morning with my pick? I can’t? Well, I have a 9am class anyway, so that’s maybe just as well…the Lions went peak Lions and won a game they were losing at the start of the fourth quarter. Matthew Stafford is my fantasy QB right now in lieu of Andrew Luck. The Giants were unimpressive last week, in as mentioned before, a bit of a slog of a game. I’m gonna go with the hot hand here. Sorry to my co-host Kyle, but I am picking the Lions.

And that will do it for the week! The picks are in, Kyle’s picks are incoming later this evening, and get ready for more fun, excitement and fume. Good luck to all your teams and fantasy teams unless you’re playing me or the Colts.

Go Colts.