NFL Divisional Finals Preview and Predictions: By Kyle Balfour

Week 1 Review:
By Stuart Tomlin

Ughhh…sixteen more weeks of this?

I mean, it’s the greatest game in the world, but it’s a painful one when your team is dreadful.

Personal feelings aside, it was an interesting week one, with a few upsets, and a few upset feelings. Let’s have a look at what Kyle and I got right, and what we got wrong.

1.30am Friday 8^th September (Thursday 7th in America):

New England Patriots v. Kansas City Chiefs
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Stuart said: Patriots (0-1)
Kyle said: Patriots (0-1)
Actual result: Patriots 27-42 Chiefs

Just how we all saw it happening, aye? Holy shit. The Chiefs turn up and absolutely destroy the reigning Champions. Tyreek Hill has himself a game, Kareem Hunt is a ridiculously good footballer despite the early fumble, and Alex Smith can actually throw further than 10 yards. What a night.

6.00pm Sunday 10^th September

Buffalo Bills v. New York Jets
Ralph Wilson “New Era Field” Stadium, Buffalo, New York
Stuart said: Bills (1-1)
Kyle said: Bills (1-1)
Actual Result: Bills 21-12 Jets

Tyrod Taylor actually played this game despite my preview, and played decently. The Jets kept it surprisingly competitive for a bit, but not for long. This may be a theme this season. Bills with the unsurprising win.

Cleveland Browns v. Pittsburgh Steelers
FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Stuart said: Steelers (2-1)
Kyle said: Steelers (2-1)
Actual Result: Browns 18-21 Steelers

Despite doing the most Cleveland Browns thing ever and having their opening drive punt blocked for a touchdown, the Browns looked competitive here, and Kizer might end up being the QB saviour the Browns have needed…eventually. For now, they kept this close with the Steelers, but the class of Pittsburgh shone through in the end. Also Le’veon Bell…DO BETTER IN FANTASY NEXT WEEK PLEASE.

Houston Texans v. Jacksonville Jaguars
NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Stuart said: Texans (2-2)
Kyle said: Texans (2-2)
Actual Result: Texans 7-29 Jaguars

Are…are the Jaguars actually good? It might truly be the end of days. The Jags absolutely dominated the Texans, and Leonard Fournette looks very much for real. That defence might finally look for real, too. The Texans were pitiful, Tom Savage is not the answer. DeShaun Watson might eventually be. But he’ll need time. He didn’t get time here.

Detroit Lions v. Arizona Cardinals
Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Stuart said: Lions (3-2)
Kyle said: Cardinals (2-3)
Actual Result: Lions 35-21 Cardinals

A close game here to begin with that began with a Matthew Stafford turnover and ended with Carson Palmer throwing all over the interceptions. Nicely bookended. The Lions do Lions things and turn their fourth quarter comeback up to eleven, while for the Cards, the loss of David Johnson is absolutely crucial. He could be out for a while. Not good for their hopes, of the hopes of millions of fantasy owners.

Chicago Bears v. Atlanta Falcons
Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Stuart said: Falcons (4-2)
Kyle said: Falcons (3-3)
Actual Result: Bears 17-23 Falcons

Wow…we were both really close to being wrong on this one. The Bears had two major chances to win it on the final drive, and they dropped both of them. They catch it, it’s game over for the Falcons, and the Bears are 1-0. None the less, the Falcons sneak out of Chicago with a win.

Tennessee Titans v. Oakland Raiders
LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee
Stuart said: Titans (4-3)
Kyle said: Raiders (4-3)
Actual Result: Titans 16-26 Raiders

Damn, I had way too much faith in the Titans. The Raiders were the better side here. A very impressive and mature performance from Derek Carr, his first game back from a broken leg, and chances are the Raiders are gonna do well this year. The Titans might yet, too. It was closer than given credit for at the beginning of this. Good win for Oakland.

Cincinnati Bengals v. Baltimore Ravens
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Stuart said: Ravens (5-3)
Kyle said: Bengals (4-4)
Actual Result: Bengals 0-20 Ravens

Wow…just wow. That Ravens defensive performance was outstanding. They could be pretty dominant this season. It helped them that Andy Dalton went full Andy LOLton and threw three interceptions, but an outstanding day for the Ravens’ defence.

Washington Redskins v. Philadelphia Eagles
FedExField, Landover, Maryland
Stuart said: Eagles (6-3)
Kyle said: Eagles (5-4)
Actual Result: Washingtons 17-30 Eagles

We saw both the good and bad sides of Carson Wentz in the early going, with an impressive touchdown avoiding sack after sack attempts being offset by a horrendous interception. However, the Eagles were the better side and fully deserved the win here. Wentz is almost young Andrew Luck, he’ll do something amazing then throw a horrendous interception, then do something else amazing. Could be impressive in years to come if he can reign in the interceptions.

9.05pm Sunday 10^th September:

Los Angeles Rams v. Indianapolis Colts
L.A. Memorial Field, Los Angeles, California
Stuart said: Colts (6-4)
Kyle said: Colts (5-5)
Actual Result: Rams 46-9 Colts

Fuck off.

Do I actually have to review this bin fire of a game?

Sighhh

We were absolutely dreadful, Scott Tolzien should be nowhere near a Colts jersey ever again, and we gave up 46 points to a Rams team who were the lowest scoring team in the league last year.

I miss Andrew Luck.

9.25pm Sunday 10^th September:

San Francisco 49ers v. Carolina Panthers
Levis’ Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Stuart said: Panthers (7-4)
Kyle said: Panthers (6-5)
Actual Result: 49ers 3-23 Panthers

Speaking of Quarterbacks coming off shoulder surgery, Cam Newton was back under centre for the Panthers in the place where he lost Super Bowl 50. This one went better for him. After a shaky start, he grew more in confidence as the game went on and it turned into a pretty dominant performance by the Panthers. Kyle Shanahan has a lot of work to do with this Niners roster.

Green Bay Packers v. Seattle Seahawks
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Stuart said: Packers (8-4)
Kyle said: Packers (7-5)
Actual Result: Packers 17-9 Seahawks

Ahh, Aaron Rodgers versus Russell Wilson. A game for the ages. A high scoring offensive shootout…what do you mean it finished 17-9? What do you mean it was 0-0 at the end of the first quarter? What do you mean it was…you get my point. A bit of a shocking game to watch in the beginning offensively, but Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times, picked off once, and thoroughly flustered several times in the first half alone, and still pulled out the victory. Because, Aaron Rodgers.

1.30am Monday 11^th September (Sunday in America)

Dallas Cowboys v. New York Giants
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Stuart said: Giants (8-5)
Kyle said: Giants (7-6)
Actual Result: Cowboys 19-3 Giants

I watched this with Kyle and Dave, and while still fuming at the Colts, this was a bit of a slog admittedly to watch regardless. Kyle was particularly unhappy with this being a Giants fan and all. Anyways, Cole Beasley’s absolutely incredible catch was the highlight of a pretty uneventful game otherwise. Good win for Dallas. Looks like they’re getting Zeke for the season. Giants were pretty unimpressive on the night. Think both teams will be fine long-term though.

12.10am Tuesday 12^th September (Monday in America)

Minnesota Vikings v. New Orleans Saints
US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Stuart said: Vikings (9-5)
Kyle said: Saints (7-7)

Adrian Peterson returned to US Bank Stadium on his Saints debut…and…didn’t really do much. Six carries for about 18 yards. Not a great day for All Day. Bradford was impressive, and could be the long-term fix for Minnesota if Bridgewater can never return to what he was…we’re all rooting for Teddy though. Stefon Diggs is a star, and Dalvin Cook broke Peterson’s Vikings rookie rushing record right in front of him. All in all, a great night for Minnesota.

3.00am Tuesday 12^th September (Monday in America)

Denver Broncos v. Los Angeles Chargers
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Stuart said: Chargers (9-6)
Kyle said: Broncos (8-7)

Actual Result: Broncos 24-21 Chargers

I’ll be honest…this game finished at 6am. I didn’t see the end of it. Melvin Gordon nearly kept my fantasy hopes for the week alive, but with my opponent having three Broncos playing, it was too tall a task. The Chargers’ clock management is absolutely dreadful as per usual, that seems to have travelled up the road with them from San Diego. Broncos win a close one.

And that’ll do it for Week 1. On a personal level, thank God that’s over. On a professional level, some fun games this week. Onto Week 2. Predictions from myself and Kyle will be up tomorrow.

As always, Go Colts.