NFL divisional playoffs: Previews, predictions, TV info for each game

LAST WEEK AGAINST THE SPREAD: 1-3

PLAYOFF RECORD: 1-3

ATLANTA AT PHILADELPHIA

Kickoff: 1:35 p.m., Saturday

TV: KNBC, Ch. 4

Outlook: For the first time ever, a No. 1 seed in the playoffs is a home underdog to a No. 6 seed, but to assume the Eagles are totally doomed without Carson Wentz at quarterback may be selling the rest of their team short. Philadelphia still boasts one of the league’s best defenses, and with a cadre of weapons on offense, it’s not unreasonable to think that Nick Foles could outperform his incredibly low expectations. That said, the Falcons really started to look like themselves again a week ago in L.A. Matt Ryan was brilliant under pressure from the Rams defensive front, and if the Eagles can’t make him uncomfortable, it might be a long day for Philadelphia. The Falcons offense has been wildly consistent this season, so it’s entirely possible that Ryan and Co. regress a week after their wild-card win. Still, given how poor Foles performed in the season’s final weeks, it’s hard to feel good about the Eagles here.

Player to watch: Jay Ajayi, Eagles RB. It’s no secret that the Eagles are going to try to limit the number of times they rely on Foles to make a play. The Falcons will almost assuredly stack the box to keep that from happening. Whoever wins that chess match is likely to win this game. Ajayi has the explosiveness to succeed even with eight men in the box, but it’s going to be tough sledding regardless. For what it’s worth, Ajayi ran for 130 yards against Atlanta in a similar situation earlier this season. This time around, he’s well rested. The Eagles will need everything they can get out of him.

Line: Falcons by 3

Pick: Falcons, 24-23

TENNESSEE AT NEW ENGLAND

Kickoff: 5:15 p.m., Saturday

TV: KCBS, Ch. 2

Outlook: The Titans may have moved on in the playoffs, thanks to an epic meltdown by Chiefs coach Andy Reid and a bizarre batted touchdown catch from its quarterback, Marcus Mariota, but that sort of fortunate happenstance doesn’t tend to occur in New England. The Patriots offense is good in every way that the Titans defense is not, with a fleet of perimeter weapons that can either stretch the field deep or spread you out wide. Then, of course, there’s the best quarterback who ever lived under center. Mariota made plenty of plays a week ago, but betting on a repeat performance in a duel against Tom Brady isn’t advised. If the Titans have any chance in this one, they’ll need to rely on the run game to anchor the offense and the defense forcing turnovers against Brady at home. Brady, for the record, is 17-3 in home playoff games. So good luck with that. The Patriots may even be especially motivated, after an ESPN report suggested last week that Brady, Bill Belichick, and owner Bob Kraft are at each other’s throats. A motivated Patriots team at home is a tough matchup for anyone, let alone a team that didn’t belong in the playoffs in the first place.

Player to watch: Derrick Henry, Titans RB. Henry was slow out of the gate a week ago, but as he’s been known to do, picked up steam as the game went along. He’ll need to find his stride quicker in this one, as the Titans may have to lean on him early to keep the ball out of Brady’s hands. The Patriots have been hit or miss defending the run this season, and given Henry’s size, the smaller, faster New England defense may have trouble slowing him down. If the Titans keep this game close early, he might end up with 25 carries. The last two weeks, without DeMarco Murray, he has 51 rushes.

Line: Patriots by 13.5

Pick: Patriots, 31-17

JACKSONVILLE AT PITTSBURGH

Kickoff: 10:05 a.m., Sunday

TV: KCBS, Ch. 2

Outlook: Thirteen weeks ago, the Steelers welcomed the Jaguars to Pittsburgh and were promptly demolished by an up-and-coming Jacksonville defense. The once-explosive Steeler offense fell apart. Ben Roethlisberger threw five interceptions, and after the game, he questioned whether he’d lost his edge as an NFL quarterback. Pittsburgh has only lost one game since — to the Patriots — and Roethlisberger proved he’s clearly still got it, as he finished the season with 4,251 yards and 28 touchdowns. Whether he can keep up his torrid passing pace against the Jaguars defense that dominated him in October, though, remains to be seen. Opposing passers accounted for just 170 yards per game against the Jaguars this season. That’s the fewest passing yards allowed by a defense since the 2009 Jets. Lucky for the Steelers, they also have Le’Veon Bell, who can exploit better than most the part of the Jaguars defense that’s not quite as elite as the secondary. If Pittsburgh can get its offense moving, Jacksonville will have to rely on Blake Bortles to make plays with his arm. That’s a scary thought, given that a week ago, Bortles accounted for more rushing yards than passing yards (87).

Player to watch: Antonio Brown, Steelers WR. After tearing his calf in Week 15, Brown will return to the Steelers potentially potent offense right when they need him most. The Jaguars boast a ferocious secondary, and without Brown, who’s a matchup nightmare for any cornerback, they’d be seriously hindered as an offense. There’s no telling how healthy Brown really is, but his return means the Steelers offense should be back to its usual explosiveness. How Jacksonville decides to defend him remains to be seen, but the last time they played, Brown racked up 10 catches for 157 yards.

Line: Steelers by 7

Pick: Steelers, 24-16

NEW ORLEANS AT MINNESOTA

Kickoff: 1:40 p.m., Sunday

TV: Fox, Ch. 11

Outlook: The best matchup of the divisional round features the two most undersized and efficient quarterbacks in the NFL this season. Drew Brees proved a week ago that, in spite of not posting the same eye-popping numbers he has in years past, he can still carry the Saints offense if necessary. Case Keenum, meanwhile, has proven all season that he’s capable of much more than anyone thought he was. The Saints have the more explosive offense in this one, especially if Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara can get going in the run game. But the Vikings have proven time and again this season that they’re capable of slowing down pretty much any NFL running back. This game will ultimately come down to crucial defensive stops. Can the Vikings slow the Saints run game and keep Brees from making big plays? And can the Saints force Keenum into mistakes and get the Minnesota offense off the field? Expect this one to be close throughout.

Player to watch: Cameron Jordan, Saints DE. After taking over last week’s win against the Panthers, Jordan may be the biggest reason the Saints are even still alive. He was an absolute monster down the stretch in that game, and New Orleans is going to need him to hit Keenum early and often, if they have a chance of staying in this game on the road. The Vikings have had to shuffle their line over the past month, due to injury. There’s no better place for the Saints to try and exploit the Viking offense than up front with their All-Pro end.

Line: Vikings by 4.5

Pick: Saints, 24-21

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