The Tailgate Society

What happens out in the lots, stays out in the lots.

NFL Divisional Weekend Preview

NFL Divisional Weekend Preview

The news of the week is that the Chargers are leaving San Diego for Los Angeles. And their new logo is a pile of garbage made in Paint. However, now they’re saying that it isn’t their logo after everyone made fun of it on Thursday.

Anyway, back to teams that actually matter and aren’t playing in an MLS stadium next year.

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons came into CenturyLink Field in October and played one of the best games of the season against the Seahawks. The Seahawks came out on top of that game by two points, but were missing key guys that week. This time, the game is on Matty Ice’s home turf and the site of Russell Wilson’s first playoff loss in his rookie year. Things have changed since then, for both teams, and Wilson is the king of the postseason.

The Seahawks seem to have found their running game in Thomas Rawls just at the right time. If Rawls gets going like he last week and the Seahawks are able to control the clock on offense limiting Matt Ryan and Company’s chances on the field, they’ll be in complete control of the game. If the Seahawks secondary can neutralize Julio Jones, without Earl Thomas to help out, that’ll give the Hawks even more of an advantage. Keep possession, keep Atlanta’s offense off the field. Seahawks do that, they’re looking at possibly hosting the NFC Championship if Green Bay trumps Dallas.

Winner: Seattle

Houston Texans at New England Patriots

This is the lamest game of the weekend, featuring the Texans, again. They’re only here by default, so let’s not call them a contender. Houston could have a chance of upsetting New England if they get a bit too cocky on offense and Houston’s defense starts to eat accordingly. However, it’s Bill Belichick and Tom Brady so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Winner: New England

Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs

There’s apparently a big storm coming on Sunday that has caused the NFL to move this game to a night kick-off instead of the morning. Le’Veon Bell is on fire and Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown has business boomin’.

However, the Steelers got a bit pushy at the end of the game last week and instead of taking Big Ben out of the game or just handing it off the DeAngelo Williams to chew clock, they called some questionable plays and he showed up at the post-game press conference in a walking boot. He says he’s fine to play, but I’m not going to discount Big Ben’s injury here. The Chiefs have been sneaky good all season long. This will be a low scoring game, but Big Ben’s injury is going to slow down that Pittsburgh offense.

Winner: Chiefs

Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys

Dallas is rested. Green Bay is absolutely rolling. The two met earlier in the season and Dallas made a mockery of the Packers defense and left. Their defense hasn’t improved a whole lot and Green Bay will be without Jordy Nelson due to injury. Mo Claiborne is expected to be back for Dallas, but I’m still taking Aaron Rodgers over their secondary. After the last few weeks of Packer football, I’m really not sure that anyone is going to be able to stop Aaron Rodgers. This’ll be an offensive game coming down to the wire, but Mr. Hail Mary himself will pull it out in the end.

Winner: Green Bay Packers

Try to stay warm this weekend and enjoy some divisional football that will probably not be like anything I just said. Go sports.

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