NFL 2016 Playoffs Bracket, Divisional Round Preview: A Look at the Four Divisional Matchups
The 2016 NFL playoffs started and ended with a bang last weekend, and as usual, the wild card was dominated by thrill and drama. At this point, the top seeded teams already know who they'll face in the divisional round.
Two divisions with two different scenarios — The AFC is riddled with injuries and quarterback issues, while the NFC looks to be the more exciting side to tune in to. It should be interesting how every matchup will live up to the hype. Fifth-seeded Green Bay takes on the second-seed Arizona, sixth-seed Seattle will try to upset number 1 Carolina, Pittsburgh battles Denver, and finally, it's Kansas City versus New England.
Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals
It was a remarkable victory over the Redskins in the wild card that propelled the Packers to this point. However, they'll have to bring in more weapons this time and will need to do a better passing game to defeat a Cardinals team that brought them down last month. Aaron Rodgers will once again be the main target for the Cards defense and it's up to him how he manages the kind of pressure that he used to be eating for breakfast in the past. Is he going to make up for a bad performance the last time and lead his Packers to victory? Only one way to find out…
Seattle Seahawks vs Carolina Panthers
Sure, Seahawks fans are pleased to see their team reach this far, but they could have asked for any other opponent than the Panthers. Their last meeting was a close one, with Carolina winning 27-23 at Seattle. The Seahawks defense has been superb all season long, but the secondary is to be blamed for that loss. If they want to have the slimmest chance of winning against the Panthers, they will have to contain Cam Newton.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos
Denver has home field advantage in this matchup, but the momentum-gaining win of the Steelers against the Bengals in the wild card might be a game-changer. As the number 1 seed in the AFC, the Broncos though will be a clear favorite. The Steelers' fate in this game lies in the prospect of playing of their two injured starts, Ben Roethlisberger and DeAngelo Williams. Big Ben is the team's focal point and no one can replace him at quarterback. They need to match up well with the Broncos' consistency and control in the field.
Kansas City Chiefs vs New England Patriots
After a slow start to the season, the Kansas City Chiefs have become the best and hottest team in the league right now. The Patriots may be playing in their home turf, but that kind of advantage should be put to the test against a team that won its last 11 games. The Chiefs are the best when it comes to pressuring the opponent's offense, wherein they only allowed 11.6 points per game during the winning streak. New England has Julian Edelman back, but they need him and Rob Gronkowski to rise to the occasion to win this one. This will all boil down to the Pats' offense against the Chiefs' defense.
