Saturday Previews

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Kansas City at New England

When: 4:35 PM ET, Saturday, January 16, 2016
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

The reigning AFC East-champion New England Patriots enjoyed a bye to begin the playoffs - and by all accounts, so did the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs. After breezing to a 30-0 victory over Houston last week, the Chiefs vie for their 12th straight win when they face the host Patriots on Saturday in a divisional-round clash.

"Typical Kansas City game - a lot of turnovers on defense, no turnovers on offense, capitalized on opponents' mistakes and didn’t make any," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of the Chiefs' convincing victory. "They've won a lot of games pretty much doing that." Belichick has won quite a few games in his own right, and the cagey coach likely will have Julian Edelman (broken bone in foot) back in the lineup for the first time since Nov. 15. The shifty wideout helped the offense average 418.6 yards and 33.6 points during the team's 9-0 start to the season, as opposed to 317.5 and 23.1 without him (3-4).

TV: 4:35 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Patriots -5. O/U: 42.5

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (12-5): Alex Smith became one-dimensional in the passing attack last week after wideout Jeremy Maclin suffered a high-ankle sprain. Kansas City initially feared Maclin had endured the third right ACL injury of his career, but the 27-year-old's availability for Saturday's tilt remains clouded at best. When asked if Maclin could play without participating in practice, coach Andy Reid said: "He could do that. He might not have to do that, but he could do that."

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (12-4): Tom Brady threw for 4,770 yards this season, but the veteran quarterback may find the going tough against All-Pro safety Eric Berry, as well as cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Sean Smith. New England's 30th-ranked rushing attack averaged just 87.8 yards per game, the team's lowest since Belichick's first year as head coach in 2000. Brandon Bolden, who has risen up the ranks in lieu of injuries to LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis, is averaging just 3.3 yards on 63 carries.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kansas City TE Travis Kelce reeled in eight passes for 128 yards versus Houston, with the latter total trumping his combined production from the previous three weeks.

2. The Patriots rebounded after dropping a 41-14 decision to the Chiefs last season to win 13 of their next 15 games and capture the Super Bowl title.

3. New England won its previous two playoff games against teams riding double-digit winning streaks, besting Pittsburgh in 2004 and San Diego two years later.



ATS Trends

Kansas City

Chiefs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games. Chiefs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game. Chiefs are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game. Chiefs are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Chiefs are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win. Chiefs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win. Chiefs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. AFC. Chiefs are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Saturday games. Chiefs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Chiefs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf. Chiefs are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing less than 150 yards passing in their previous game. Chiefs are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 playoff games.

New England

Patriots are 4-1-2 ATS in their last 7 home games. Patriots are 12-3-2 ATS in their last 17 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Patriots are 23-7 ATS in their last 30 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game. Patriots are 17-7-2 ATS in their last 26 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game. Patriots are 7-3-2 ATS in their last 12 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Patriots are 36-17-1 ATS in their last 54 games following a straight up loss. Patriots are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 playoff games. Patriots are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 playoff home games. Patriots are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Saturday games. Patriots are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. Patriots are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games on fieldturf. Patriots are 0-4-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Patriots are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.

OU Trends

Kansas City

Under is 6-1 in Chiefs last 7 Saturday games. Under is 5-1-1 in Chiefs last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points. Under is 5-1 in Chiefs last 6 games in January. Under is 5-1 in Chiefs last 6 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Chiefs last 5 games overall. Under is 4-1 in Chiefs last 5 games following a straight up win. Under is 4-1 in Chiefs last 5 vs. AFC. Under is 5-2 in Chiefs last 7 playoff games. Under is 5-2-1 in Chiefs last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Over is 7-3 in Chiefs last 10 games on fieldturf. Under is 23-11-2 in Chiefs last 36 vs. a team with a winning record.

New England

Over is 5-0-1 in Patriots last 6 Divisional Playoffs games. Over is 5-0-1 in Patriots last 6 Saturday games. Over is 4-1 in Patriots last 5 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game. Under is 4-1 in Patriots last 5 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game. Over is 4-1 in Patriots last 5 playoff games. Over is 4-1 in Patriots last 5 playoff home games. Under is 4-1 in Patriots last 5 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Over is 9-3-1 in Patriots last 13 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game. Over is 8-3 in Patriots last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Over is 10-4 in Patriots last 14 games in January. Over is 52-23 in Patriots last 75 games on fieldturf. Over is 38-18 in Patriots last 56 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 56-27 in Patriots last 83 vs. AFC. Over is 39-19 in Patriots last 58 home games.

Head to Head

Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Green Bay at Arizona

When: 8:15 PM ET, Saturday, January 16, 2016
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona




The Green Bay Packers rebounded from a late-season stumble with an impressive road victory over the Washington Redskins in the opening round of the playoffs on Sunday. The road only gets more difficult for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who will try to avenge a 30-point beating in Week 16 when they visit the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night.

Green Bay was bludgeoned at Arizona 38-8 before dropping a 20-13 decision at home to Minnesota in the regular-season finale to squander their chance for the NFC North title. Rodgers said the Packers had their "mojo" back after erasing an early 11-point deficit versus Washington to set up a rematch with the Cardinals. No. 2 seed Arizona reeled off nine consecutive victories before absorbing a 36-6 loss to visiting Seattle in its season finale. Behind quarterback Carson Palmer, the Cardinals feature the league's top-ranked offense and finished second in the league in scoring with an average of 30.6 points.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Cardinals -7.5. O/U: 50

ABOUT THE PACKERS (11-6): Rodgers rallied Green Bay by throwing a pair of second-quarter touchdown passes against Washington, including one to second-year wide receiver Davante Adams, who is not expected to play Saturday due to an MCL sprain in his knee. The Packers' ground game, which has struggled throughout the season, got going against the Redskins as Eddie Lacy and James Starks each ran for a second-half touchdown while gaining a combined 116 yards on 24 carries. Green Bay, which ranked sixth in the league against the pass, recorded six sacks in their wild-card victory.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (13-3): Palmer set career highs in yards (4,671), TD passes (35) and quarterback rating while throwing to one of the league's top receiving corps in Larry Fitzgerald (career-high 109 catches), John Brown and Michael Floyd, which combined for 22 scoring receptions. Rookie running back David Johnson has scored a total of 13 touchdowns and had been superb since taking over as the starter while also providing a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. Arizona recorded nine sacks in Week 16 against the Packers, but linebacker Alex Okafor suffered a toe injury during the bye that ended his season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona LB Dwight Freeney and DL Calais Campbell combined for 5.5 sacks in the first meeting.

2. Rodgers threw for 423 yards and four touchdowns in his first career playoff start - a 51-45 loss at Arizona in January 2010.

3. Floyd has recorded five 100-yard performances in his last eight games, including six catches for 111 yards against the Packers.


ATS Trends


Green Bay
•Packers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 playoff road games.
• Packers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
• Packers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 playoff games.
• Packers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS win.
• Packers are 41-18-1 ATS in their last 60 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
• Packers are 36-16-2 ATS in their last 54 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Packers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games on grass.
• Packers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.



Arizona
•Cardinals are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a double-digit loss at home.
• Cardinals are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 playoff home games.
• Cardinals are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
• Cardinals are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games following a ATS loss.
• Cardinals are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
• Cardinals are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Saturday games.
• Cardinals are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 playoff games.
• Cardinals are 21-9 ATS in their last 30 vs. NFC.
• Cardinals are 16-7 ATS in their last 23 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Cardinals are 27-12 ATS in their last 39 games following a straight up loss of more than 14 points.
• Cardinals are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games on grass.
• Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in January.
• Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game.
• Cardinals are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games.
• Cardinals are 1-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.


OU Trends


Green Bay
•Under is 4-0 in Packers last 4 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Under is 4-0 in Packers last 4 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
• Under is 7-1 in Packers last 8 games following a straight up win.
• Under is 7-1 in Packers last 8 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
• Under is 6-1 in Packers last 7 games following a ATS win.
• Over is 10-2 in Packers last 12 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points.
• Over is 4-1 in Packers last 5 Divisional Playoffs games.
• Over is 4-1 in Packers last 5 playoff road games.
• Under is 9-3 in Packers last 12 games on grass.
• Under is 9-3 in Packers last 12 vs. NFC.
• Under is 10-4 in Packers last 14 games overall.
• Over is 5-2 in Packers last 7 Saturday games.



Arizona
•Over is 5-0 in Cardinals last 5 playoff games.
• Over is 4-0 in Cardinals last 4 playoff home games.
• Under is 5-1 in Cardinals last 6 games overall.
• Over is 5-1 in Cardinals last 6 games in January.
• Under is 5-1 in Cardinals last 6 vs. NFC.
• Under is 5-1 in Cardinals last 6 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Under is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 home games.
• Under is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 games on grass.
• Under is 8-2-1 in Cardinals last 11 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 40-13 in Cardinals last 53 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
• Over is 8-3 in Cardinals last 11 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
• Over is 5-2 in Cardinals last 7 Saturday games.
• Under is 5-2 in Cardinals last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Over is 7-3 in Cardinals last 10 games following a straight up loss of more than 14 points.
• Over is 35-16 in Cardinals last 51 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game.


Head to Head


•Home team is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
• Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Arizona.

 

[Greenbacks]

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the doctor said giving wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr a day off would be good. Still expects him to play. Rivera called the rest "precautionary."

 

[Greenbacks]

Panthers coach Ron Rivera "What we did at 15-1 is something nobody can take away." Rivera says that won't be lost regardless of how the team does in the playoffs.

 

[Greenbacks]

Roethlisberger's presence at practice, even on a limited basis, is consistent with the optimism that he'll be able to play Sunday. But Stephania Bell says the Steelers' approach could be altered if deep throws are not a part of the game plan

 

[Greenbacks]

Marshawn Lynch had a two-word answer for Kenny Mayne about his status against the Panthers.

 

[Greenbacks]

Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll are the fourth QB-coach combo to have at least seven playoff wins in their first four seasons together in the Super Bowl era, according to Elias. The three other duos (Brady-Belichick, Plunkett-Flores and Elway-Shanahan) all won multiple Super Bowls during their first four years.

 

[Greenbacks]

Kuharsky to Titans: Wait for McDaniels



The Titans are going to be the last team with a head coaching vacancy, so Paul Kuharsky says they should take their time and wait for all the potential candidates to be available.

 

[Greenbacks]

One reason the Seahawks are so confident going into Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers? They've allowed just one offensive touchdown in their last six road games. This defense feels like it's playing its best football of the year right now. And the Seahawks are expected to have all 11 defensive starters healthy for this one.

 

[Greenbacks]

There have been 519 playoff games in the history of the AFL and NFL. Never before has a team played one without its leading rusher and receiver from that season, as the Steelers will do this weekend (via Elias).

 

[Greenbacks]

As expected, the Packers have ruled out Davante Adams and Andrew Quarless for Saturday against the Cardinals. Sam Shields and Quinten Rollins are both questionable. Everyone else, including David Bakhtiari, is probable.

 

[Greenbacks]

Cornerback Josh Norman sums up how the Panthers feel about facing Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson: "He's creative, man. He's masterful in what he's able to do. He makes magic happen out of nothing. You have a guy like that, you've always got to be on top of your game."

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Early kickoff could mean big things

[/h]

The Chiefs and Patriots will begin the divisional round of the playoffs at 4:35 p.m. ET Saturday. The past three winners of that first early game have gone on to win the Super Bowl, including the Patriots last season

 

[Greenbacks]

Fines from Steelers-Bengals are in: Joey Porter and Mike Munchak $10,000 each, Vontaze Burfict (three-game suspension), Adam Jones $28,940, Wallace Gilberry $8,681, Ramon Foster $17,363 and Domata Peko $8,681. No fines for David DeCastro and Ryan Shazier.

 

[Greenbacks]

Packers DE Datone Jones was fined $17,363 for his hit on Redskins QB Kirk Cousins in last Sunday's NFC wild-card game. He was penalized on the play.

 

[Greenbacks]

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch is officially listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. He was questionable last week. The expectation is that he will travel with the team later today and be in the backfield on Sunday.

 

[Greenbacks]

Jeremy Maclin, Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, Spencer Ware and Albert Wilson are all listed as questionable for the Chiefs on their final injury report of the week for Saturday's playoff game against New England. Questionable is a 50-50 chance of playing.

 

[Greenbacks]

The Patriots officially listed TE Rob Gronkowski as questionable for Saturday's playoff game against the Chiefs with knee/back injuries. He was a limited participant in the team's Friday practice. The expectation has been that Gronkowski will play, but the team still wants to see how he feels on game day.

 

[Greenbacks]

After Friday's practice Broncos Gary Kubiak said Brock Osweiler had worked through a right knee injury enough to be the team's No. 2 quarterback Sunday against the Steelers. Friday was the first time since the Jan. 3 regular-season finale Osweiler had participated in a full practice. "From what I saw (Friday), I feel good about it,'' Kubiak said. "He took pretty much all the reps that he could take.'' As a result the Broncos will likely have two quarterbacks in uniform for the game -- Peyton Manning as the starter and Osweiler as the backup. Kubiak had said through the week the Broncos would have to consider keeping three quarterbacks in uniform, which would have meant a special teams contributor would have been among the game day inactives.

 

[Greenbacks]

Marshawn Lynch got on the bus and is with the Seahawks as they begin their trip to Charlotte for Sunday's divisional round matchup against the Carolina Panthers.