AFC Championship Picture

Divisional Round:

Texans at Patriots, January 14, 4:15 ET, CBS

Sahil: I’m taking the Patriots here, no question. How could you not? Tom Brady is an MVP candidate, and with our without Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots are going to the Super Bowl. Brady has a history of making mediocre wide receivers look amazing, and even with a less-productive Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan (who the Pats found where, exactly?), I’m taking the Patriots all the way this year. The defense isn’t earth-shatteringly good, but it still is ranked among the ten lowest teams in terms of yards allowed. The Patriots are definitely the team to beat.

Steelers at Chiefs, January 15, 1:05 ET, NBC

Sahil: This is a great matchup, but I think that the Steelers are going to light up the Chief defense. The only question mark remains the health of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, who injured his ankle on the second-to-last snap (yes, really) in last week’s blowout. A healthy Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown might be too much to shut down. Either they’ll be able to contain the run game or the passing attack, but not much.

NFC Championship Picture:

Divisional Round:

Packers at Cowboys, January 15, 4:40 ET, FOX

Sahil: This is going to be an amazing game. Aaron Rodgers has been unstoppable, but then again, so has the rookie tandem of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. I’m taking the Cowboys here, they’ve earned it. That offensive line is historically good, and the Packer’s front five won’t be able to put up a fight. If a statement win against the Packers at home doesn’t finally legitimize the Cowboys, I don’t know what will.

Seahawks at Falcons, January 14, 4:35 ET, FOX

Sahil: I’m taking Matty Ice and the Falcons. Russell Wilson hasn’t been able to really pull it together this year, and the offence is struggling. The Falcons on the other hand, are healthy on both sides of the ball, and while their defense isn’t spectacular, a dynamite offense with Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones should be able to make up for it.