Today
Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) @ Houston Texans (9-7)
NRG Stadium, Houston, TX (71,500)
3:35 PM CT/4:35 PM ET
ESPN
Tirico, Gruden, Lisa Salters
Lead ref with mixed crews for all games: Ron Torbert; the laundry will be flyin'
Weather: Retractable roof, no issue
Line: KC by 3
I like J.J. Watt and his 17.5 regular season sacks and the Houston defense to get over the hump against a good KC defense. KC quarterback Alex Smith has thrown nine TDs and no ints in three playoff appearances, but like the Texans to play ball control and get passes downfield from Brian Hoyer to DeAndre "Newk" Hopkins from Clemson for some game changing plays. Hopkins has caught 111 passes for 1,521 yards and 11, sevens this season. Like Watt and Hopkins in the upset in the Rocket City. Kansas City, we have a problem.
Texans 24, Chiefs 21
Tonight
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincy (65,535)
7:15 PM CT/8:15 PM ET
CBS
Jim, Phil, Trace
Lead ref: John Parry
Weather: Cloudy at times and rain 50% at times, 48 degrees, wind SE 7 MPH
Line: Steelers by 2 1/2
Like A.J. McCarron, A.J. Green (86 receptions, 1,297 yards, 10 TDs), and the hometown Bengals to pull off the upset in the Queen City. A.J. has played well in relief of Andy Dalton, who should be back next week if the Bengals advance. But if McCarron has a good game and leads his team to victory, Dalton may stay on the bench next week either at either the Broncos or the Patriots. The Bengals get over the hump and win a playoff game under Coach Marvin Lewis, who's done an excellent job this season.
Bengals 31, Steelers 28
Tomorrow, Sunday
Seattle Seahawks (10-6) vs. Minnesota Vikings (11-5)
TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN (50,805)
12:05 PM CT/1:05 PM ET
NBC
Al, Cris, Michelle
Refs: Walt Coleman, lead ref
Weather: Might as well play this one in Moscow. ZERO at kickoff, and it'll feel like -4. Wind 7 MPH, but sunny and zero rain. I feel more sorry for the fans than the players because the players have heated benches and all kinds of ways to stay warm. Still the fans will be out in droves. It's the playoffs and they live in this stuff all the time.
Line: Seattle by 4 1/2
Like Russell Wilson, who's been the best quarterback in the league this season as he's completed 329-of-483 passes, 68%, for 4,024 yards, 34 TDs and just eight interceptions, and that still reliable Legion of Boom defense to get the job done on the road. Seattle is a dangerous team this postseason. They have hit their stride.
Seahawks 24, Vikings 17
Green Bay Packers (10-6) @ Washington Redskins (9-7)
FedExField, Washington, D.C. (79,000)
3:40 PM CT/4:40 PM ET
FOX
Joe, Troy, EA, Chris Myers
Refs: Gene Steratore, this usually means controversy during the game at some point
Weather: Partly sunny at kickoff, 52 degrees, wind throughout the game West @ 16-17 MPH, so a factor
Line: Redskins by 1
This is not a tough call in my opinion. Going with ARodg to get it done with his postseason experience. Kirk Cousins has no postseason experience at quarterback. Going with the veteran in these situations despite the fact that his offensive line is banged up. Like ARodg to get'er done in the nation's capital.
Packers 31, Redskins 28