The last time these two teams faced off was in week one on September 13th, 2015. The Chiefs won that game 27-20.
Alex Smith had 3 passing touchdowns the last time these two teams played. Texans have used 4 quarterbacks this season, but Brian Hoyer remains the starter for them again this time around. Chiefs are riding a 10-game win streak and look to continue that into the playoffs, while the Texans barely won a terrible AFC South division. The Texans are the #4 seed and will host this game while the Chiefs hold the 5th seed.
X-Factor (Texans) – J.J. Watt
X-Factor (Chiefs) – Jeremy Maclin
My Pick: Chiefs 27 – Texans 17
These two teams last faced each other on December 13, 2015 and the Steelers won that game 33-20.
This is a rivalry game, as both teams are in the AFC North. The last time they played was a nightmare for the Bengals. Not only did they lose that game, but Andy Dalton suffered a broken thumb after trying to tackle a Steelers defender. It has been the AJ McCarron show in Cincinnati ever since. McCarron hasn’t played bad at all though.
He has thrown 6 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions in the three games he has started, all this season. He has a knack for winning championships, as he won two while attending Alabama. But Andy Dalton could play on Saturday; his status is yet to be determined.
The Steelers, on the other hand, are rolling and that duo between Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger is red-hot right now. Brown has 1,834 receiving yards on the season and he is looking to stay red-hot entering Saturday. The Bengals are the #3 seed and will host the #6 seed Steelers on Saturday.
X-Factor (Bengals) – AJ Green
X-Factor (Steelers) – Antonio Brown
My Pick: Steelers 27 – Bengals 24
The last time these two teams played was earlier this season and the Seahawks won 38-7.
Seattle may have started the year out slow, but they can be debated as the scariest team to play in the NFC right now. When these two teams played last, the Vikings looked awful, but now they are riding a 3-game win streak. So the Vikings want to win this game? Then give Adrian Peterson the ball! He had only 8 attempts for 18 yards the last time around. That is not how you win a game, especially if you have the leading rusher in the NFL on your team.
The Seahawks though, they have been here before and they are playing angry. The #3 seed Vikings will host the #6 seed Seahawks Sunday.
X-Factor (Vikings) – Adrian Peterson
X-Factor (Seahawks) – K.J. Wright
My Pick: Seahawks 20 – Vikings 17
The last time these two teams faced off was on September 15, 2013. The Packers won 38-20.
The last time these two teams played, Robert Griffin lll was still playing quarterback, Eddie Lacy only had one carry after leaving due to injury, and Santana Moss was still catching touchdown passes. Green Bay got off to an early 24-0 lead and it never got any better.
The difference though, the NFC Offensive Player of the Month is playing quarterback for the Redskins. Kirk Cousins has been playing better football than Aaron Rodgers since week 8. The Packers are without Jordy Nelson and the offense just hasn’t looked the same since. The Packers are coming off a loss to the Vikings and the Redskins are coming off a win against the Dallas Cowboys.
This game usually would be a no doubter, but it’s not. This was my toughest decision, but I think who ever makes the least amount of mistakes will win this game. The #4 seed Redskins are hosting the #5 seed Packers on Sunday.
X-Factor (Redskins) – DeSean Jackson
X-Factor (Packers) – Discount Double Check Guy… no I’m kidding… Aaron Rodgers!
