SATURDAY GAMES JANUARY 5, 2019

ROUND ONE   ( WILD CARD WEEKEND)

GAME ONE

AFC MATCH-UP

AT

COLTS(10-6)  AT  TEXANS (11-5)

Both teams played each other twice in 2018 regular season. The series was split 1-1.

The Colts come in as the hotter team as they had to win games to be able to get in the playoffs. The Texans won nine straight games in regular season. The Colts snapped that long winning streak a few weeks back. Since then, the Texans have been sputtering along. The Texans had a very good chance to grab the number two seed in the AFC but they could not seal the deal.

During Regular season, the Texans broke a three game losing streak to start the season versus the Colts. Coach Frank Reich went for it on 4th down in overtime. The Colts did not even have the ball at mid field. The Texans stopped them and then ran a play, kicked a field goal, and won that affair.  The Colts gave that game to the Texans. If Colts punted, most likely that game would have ended in a tie because it was less than a minute left in overtime.

The Colts’ strength is their offensive line. The Texans’ strength is their defensive line. I give the Colts the advantage there. I think they can contain and give Luck the time he needs versus Watt and Clowney. I think Andrew Luck has the hotter hand over Deshaun Watson in the arms race. Overall I think the Colts match up very well with the Texans in everything down the line. The Texans have not beaten anybody special at home. Coach Bill O’Brien’s history in the playoffs does not intrigue me. He has beaten a Raider team minus Derrick Carr. The rest of his playoff games have resulted in losses. Frank Reich has his Colts red hot at the right time of the year. While the Texans have been playing 500 since they were red hot.

OUR WINNER: COLTS

GAME TWO

NFC MATCH UP

AT

SEAHAWKS (10-6)  AT  COWBOYS (10-6)

Both teams met once during regular season. Seahawks won that affair at home.

Seahawks are only 4-4 on the road. They have won games on the road against nobody special. Their strength is at home. The Cowboys’ strength is at home this year. Both teams have been up and down all year. Seahawks have been more consistent down the end of the road of the regular season. Seahawks beat a very good Chiefs team at home. Then they fall to the 49ers. The Cowboys would get their butts kicked in by the titans on Monday night. Then weeks later beat a very good Saints team on Thursday night. Both Jekyll and Hyde teams in which something will have to give when it’s all said and done.

Both these teams are pretty even. The Cowboys will Amari Cooper in this match up versus the Seahawks since the last time they have met. The Cowboys definitely have the better running back in Ezekiel Elliot. However Seattle has Russell Wilson. He is the biggest X-factor in this contest. Compared to Prescott Wilson who has all the stars and strips on his uniform as he “did this done that” before. Wilson decides this game. I hate Pete Carol. However he’s 6-0 in opening playoff games as a head coach. Pete is 4-0 in Wild Card games as the Seahawks coach. Jason Garrett is only 1-2 all-time in the playoffs. Plus to get rid of all the guys from the legion of boom defense and coach a young group on your defense. With good results. Seattle, with the quarterback and coaching edges making a  difference, and they win this one.  HATE BOTH OF THESE TEAMS.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS