AFC Wildcard Weekend

Rodney Davis:

As a lifelong Colts fan the AFC playoffs are bitter sweet to say the least. Andrew Luck led the Colts to another successful 11-5 record; while also winning the AFC South. Even though my Colts made the playoffs, I can't help but wonder what could've been if Reggie Wayne was still healthy. Looking back at our marquee wins versus the Seahawks, Broncos and 49ers, it really felt like the Colts were capable of making a run in the wide-open AFC.

But enough about my Colts and on to the wildcard round. I will ignore my fandom and turn on my unbiased sports blogger opinion. So let's take a look at the matchups in the AFC wildcard matchups, as I make my picks against the spread so that we can all lose pretend gambling money together. (Home team in caps)

BENGALS vs Chargers

At first glance this looks like the classic #6 seed that just squeaked into the playoffs to go on a magical run to the Super bowl i.e. the Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, etc.

If you asked the Chargers which quarterback, that is currently a starter for an AFC playoff team, they’d want to face in the first round it'd be a unanimous Andy Dalton. Before you Cincinnati fans try to defend your quarterback, don't forget that this is the same Andy Dalton and Cincinnati Bengals team that allowed the Houston Texans to eliminate them from the playoffs twice in the last two years. (Including last year when they were eliminated by back-up quarterback T.J Yates)

However, this is a new year and for the sake of the Cincy fans hopefully a new team. So here's a few reasons for Cincy fans to believe. First off they are playing in Cincanatti where they have yet to lose this season. The Bengal’s defense has been stellar this year, rankingin the top 10 in a multitude of categories. But the biggest reason to believe in the Benagls is that you can't trust the Chargers. Phillip Rivers has had a resurgent season, but they don’t have the defense like the Giants or Ravens to make a run. You can't ignore the fact that they almost lost to the Chiefs back ups last sunday.

Factor in the estimated 40 degree temperatures for Sundays game and the Chargers chances continue to drop.

Bengals (-6.5) over Chargers

COLTS vs Chiefs

A rematch from the Colts week 16 triumph versus the Chiefs may have given KC some bulletin material. Which is why I totally expect the Chiefs to come out and try to smack the Colts in the mouth, by running the ball on their first possession.

Quick Side Note: Can we take time to look at the Chiefs schedule and realize their only win versus a team above .500 was against the Eagles in week 3? Are the Chiefs actually a good team or are they just a product of an easy schedule? All I know is that no team wants to play a rugged, grind it out Kansas City team in the playoffs. Do you think that Denver wants to play Kansas City for a third time? Does Tom Brady want to deal with with Tamba Hali and Justin Houston coming of the edge? No and No.

The Colts have the right team to beat the Chiefs. The defense is quick and has the necessary speed to keep up with Charles. If they are able to get you into 3rd and long situations, their speed can be very problematic.
 

Plain and Simple the only way the Colts lose this game is if Alex Smith plays lights out for the Chiefs and Andrew Luck turns the ball over, which is a possibility. But since the Chiefs pass rushers are playing injured, I just can’t see Luck giving this game away.

Colts (-1.5) over Chiefs.

Photos courtesy of:

Chargers photo- msn.foxsports.com

Andrew Luck photo- ibitimes.com