LegacyMaker Sports’ Playoff Pick’em (Divisional Round)

By: James Brown

Headline Photo: NFL.com

Last weekend’s Wild Card round gave us the Colts trouncing the Texans, the Cowboys squeaked by the Seahawks, The Chargers rattled the Ravens and the Eagles blocked the Bears. After going 1-3 on picks last week hopefully, I can rebound this week in the Divisional round. You will be able to see the rest of the LegacyMaker Sports teams picks at the bottom of the article.

The Indianapolis Colts travel to Arrowhead this weekend to face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Andrew Luck and the Colts offense are looking to replicate the offensive display they put on against the Texans. Andrew Luck was effective in the passing game while Marlon Mack churned through the defense. If Colts want to pull the upset in Kansas City they will need to score often and early to nullify the Chiefs pass rush. While Chiefs defense may allow teams to run up the score their pass rush has proven they can get to the quarterback. On Offense Mahomes and the Chiefs have put on a show all season. Mahomes has shown the ability to put up big numbers and hit guys from anywhere on the field. The Chiefs will pick up the win at home over the 31-24 giving them their first playoff win at home since Joe Montana played quarterback. 

Saturday night the Dallas Cowboys travel to the LA Coliseum to take on the Los Angeles Rams. Dallas quelled the late rally from Seahawks and got the win at home in Jerry’s World last weekend. This weekend if Dallas wants to beat the Rams they’ll need to get to Jared Goff early and bottle up Todd Gurley. On offense, Zeke will need to feast on the Rams the defense while Dak churns out long drives that lead to touchdowns. The Rams will look to take advantage of Dallas’ secondary and put their linebackers to the test in covering their wideouts and Gurley coming out the backfield. Sean McVay is bound to have some plays in his bag should the Rams need a spark and the defense will look to bend but not break against the Dallas offense. Ultimately the Rams will move on by beating the Cowboys 35-17.

On Sunday the Los Angeles Chargers will travel to Foxboro to Play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The Chargers defense managed to bottle up Lamar Jackson and the Ravens ground game last week to help their team get the win. Their defense will need to show up big again this weekend to make it past the Patriots. Offensively Phillip Rivers has the weapons to beat the New England defense. Melvin Gordon to need to eat on the ground to open up some passing lanes for Rivers and his receivers. For the Patriots the ageless wonder Tom Brady will look to show everyone that at 41 he can still get this roster to a Super Bowl. The Patriots offense has overcome to loss of a dynamic receiver in Josh Gordon and an aging Gronkowski. When healthy Sony Michel has proven he can carry the load alongside running mate James White catching passes out of the backfield. Brady has bested Rivers before in the playoffs and on Sunday Brady gets the hat trick over Rivers and the Patriots muster their way to a 24-21 win to return to the AFC Championship game. 

The New Orleans Saints host Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday afternoon. Philly is looking to avenge the beat down they suffered at the hands of the Saints earlier this season. Nick Foles has proven to be the Eagles savior in the postseason propelling the Eagles to get the W when facing elimination. Foles managed to stand up to the Bears defense last week while Philly’s defense showed that they make plays when needed. Foles will have to beat another talented defense this week in the Saints squad. On offense Drew Brees has been lighting it up and showing why he’s one of the best in the game. Not to mention the two-headed monster he has behind him in Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. The Saints will march on over the Eagles at home showing their earlier win this season was no fluke Foles magic or not. New Orleans wins big at home to the tune of 38-10. Bold prediction time, Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram combined for a pair of scores 200+ yards of offense.

Here are the Predictions from the LegacyMaker Sports Network Team for the Divisional Round!

James Brown-Chiefs, Rams, Patriots & Saints 

Darrell Owens-Chiefs, Cowboys, Patriots & Saints

Jay Quimby- Colts, Rams, Chargers & Saints

Robb Johnson-Chiefs, Cowboys, Patriots & Eagles

Drew Willingham- Chiefs, Rams, Chargers & Saints

Paul Scofield- Colts, Cowboys, Patriots & Saints

Tyrone Montgomery Jr.- Colts, Cowboys, Patriots & Saints

Becca Cottingham- Chiefs, Rams, Patroits & Saints

Russ “Statman” Taliaferro- Chiefs, Rams, Chargers & Saints

Lamonte Thomas- Chiefs, Rams, Patriots & Saints

Joshua Staats- Chiefs, Cowboys, Patriots & Saints

Candice Bullock- Chiefs, Rams, Patriots & Eagles

Ryan Fowler- Colts, Rams, Patriots & Saints 

Adam Falls- Chiefs, Cowboys, Chargers & Saints

Combined Prediction Picks 

(14 Members Made Picks)

Chiefs win 10-4

Rams win 8-6

Patriots win 10-4

Saints win  12-2

Playoff Records LMS Network (After Wild Card Weekend)

James 1-3

Darrell 1-3

Jay 3-1

Robb 1-3

Drew 2-2

Paul 3-1

Ty 2-2

Becca 1-3

Russ 0-4

Lamonte 0-4

Josh 0-4

Candice 2-2

Ryan 1-3

Adam 0-4