NFL Playoff Picks: Divisional Saturday

We have reached the second round of the NFL Playoffs. All four games this weekend are rematches of fairly memorable recent games.

I was 3-1 last weekend. Let's get to picks for today's games.

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots

This is a rematch of the famous "Is Brady finished?" game. Yes, as recently as September 2014, people were asking whether Tom Brady was washed up after a blowout Monday night loss to the Chiefs.

This one is tough because there are so many key injuries on both sides of the ball. It is difficult to tell which guys will play, and which guys will not. My gut tells me this might be a game where we see the impact of the bye week. The Patriots are definitely trending healthier, while Kansas City suffered a key injury to Jeremy Maclin, and Justin Houston probably could have used another week of rest. My pick would probably be flipped if the Chiefs had the bye, but I will guess Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski both play and are effective. That could be enough for a narrow Patriots victory. I don't make that pick with any conviction, though.

Pick: New England

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals

Three weeks ago, the Packers went down to the desert and were blown out by the Cardinals. It seems like they finally found themselves offensively last week in their first round victory over Washington.

I expect a more competitive game this time. When a team has Aaron Rodgers, it always has a puncher's chance. I just think the Cardinals are superior in every phase of the game, though. Arizona has been one of the two best teams in football all year along with the Panthers. I cannot go against them.

Pick: Arizona