2016-17 NFL Playoffs -Championship Sunday

We've now reached Championship Sunday, and the last four teams standing with a chance to get to Houston to play in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium will be colliding.

I've gone 7-1 in these playoffs picking games with my only wrong one being the Pittsburgh-Kansas City one that was decided by a holding call and failed two point conversion.

Two teams will move on to play for the Vince Lombardi Trophy while the other two will see their season come to a bitter end,

So let's get to it.

NFC Championship

#4 Green Bay Packers (11-7)  vs  #2 Atlanta Falcons  (12-5)  at 2:05 PM CST on FOX

This is a rematch of a Week 8 October 30 class at the Georgia Dome in which the Falcons scored late  on a Matt Ryan to Mohammed Sanu TD pass to edge the Packers 33-32.

The Falcons are coming off their 36-20 playoff demolition of the Seattle Seahawks in which their number one ranked offense shredded the vaunted ;Legion of Boom; while the Packers after building an 18 point lead, needed a clutch throw from Aaron Rodgers and a 51 yard Mason Crosby field goal with 3 seconds left in the game to escape with a 34-31 win over the Cowboys.

The Falcons defense has stepped it up another level, while the Green Bay defense has lost some key players to injury.. This is the last NFL game in the Georgia Dome, and it should be a fun one to watch with two of the best quarterbacks in the conference in Rodgers and Ryan slinging balls all over the field.

But as the saying goes, it's defense that wins championships, and Atlanta's is slightly better than the Packers right now.  Been a wonderful ride for the Pack, but the Falcons are going to close out the Georgia Dome in style.

Falcons to win the George Halas Trophy when this game concludes.  

AFC Championship 

#3 Pittsburgh Steelers (13-5) vs  #1 New England Patriots (15-2) at 5:40 PM CST on CBS

The Steelers didn't score an offense touchdown in their playoff game against the Chiefs, but still won 18-16 thanks to an NFL playoff record six field goals by Chris Boswell.  The Steelers became the first NFL team since the 2006 Super Bowl XLI champion Indianapolis Colts to win a playoff game without scoring a touchdown.

The Patriots got an unexpected challenge from the Houston Texans, whose number one ranked defense hit Brady early and often and only trailed by 8 points going into the fourth quarter until Brock Osweiler became Bad Brock and started throwing interceptions to the Patriots and threw away their chance at a huge upset as the Patriots rolled to a 34-16 Divisional Round victory. .

This AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium is also a rematch of a Week 7 game in which the Patriots marched into Heinz Field and marched out with a 27-16 win.

The Steelers committed ten penalties in that October 23 game, and one of them wiped out a second quarter TD pass from Landry Jones to Darius Heyward-Bey .They were also missing Ben Roethlisberger in that one to a knee injury as well

He's back for this one , but it probably won't make a difference, especially if the Steeler offense doesn't find the end zone early and often this week.  

Patriots to win this game and the Lamar Hunt Trophy.

2016-17 NFL Playoffs- Divisional Round

I ran the table and got all four of my picks correct during the Wild Card weekend round of the playoffs, and now it's time for the Divisional Round of the 2016-17 NFL Playoffs

All the teams remaining are division champions, and now the number one and two seeds get to play after a week off.  The teams winning in these games go on to face each other in the AFC and NFC Championship Games next week. .

Now it's time for me to make those picks.

Saturday Games

NFC Divisional Game

#3 Seattle Seahawks (11-5-1) vs  #2 Atlanta Falcons (11-5)  3;35 PM  CST  on FOX

This Divisional Round game at the Georgia Dome is a rematch of a wild and controversial game in Seattle that Seattle pulled out late courtesy of a Steven Hauschka field goal with 1:57 left .

Atlanta's attempt to win the game ended on a 4th down pass breakup by Richard Sherman on Julio Jones that the Falcons were screaming warranted a pass interference call.  The officials said otherwise and the game ended in a 26-24 Seahawk victory.  

This time it's in the Georgia Dome with higher stakes.  You can probably bet that the NFC South champion Falcons not only want some payback, they don't want this game to be the last one they play in the Georgia Dome. They move to the new Mercedes Benz Stadium next door later this year.

The Falcons also have a lethal offense that was held in check for a half in that October 26 game by a Seattle defense that is missing key players in this rematch. .The Falcons also had a week off while the NFC West champion Seahawks were sending the Lions packing after they spanked them 26-6 ..

So who is going to win it?   Going with the Falcons.

AFC Divisional Game

#4 Houston Texans (10-7) vs #1 New England Patriots (14-2)  &:15 PM CST on CBS

This nightcap game is also a rematch, and no one outside of NRG Stadium and Harris County is even giving the Texans a chance in this playoff game. They are a two touchdown underdog.

The AFC South champion Texans were shut out 27-0 in their previous trip to Gillette Stadium on September 22 that occurred while Tom Brady was serving a four game suspension.  It was also the game in which JJ Watt was lost for the season.  The Texans are also 0-4 against the Patriots in that stadium, including a 2013 playoff loss.

But the Texans have the number one ranked defense in the league thanks to Jadeveon Clowney staying healthy and having an All Pro season on top of it,  That gives them a chance if they can force some turnovers, they don't turn the ball over and even get a pick six out of the dea

Unfortunately, the Texans don't have an offense to go with that championship level defense, and the Patriots have a future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback.  .

It was a nice playoff run while it lasted.   Patriots to win this one, but you know I'll be happy if this pick is wrong.

Sunday Games

NFC Divisional Game 

#4 Green Bay Packers (10-7) vs #1 Dallas Cowboys (13-3) at 3;40 PM CST on FOX

This is the only playoff game in the Divisional round that isn't a regular season rematch.   This is one in which the red hot NFC North champion Packers have won seven straight games, including their playoff win at Lambeau field last week against the New York Giants.

This matchup is also dripping with NFL playoff history  

The NFC East champion Cowboys went 8-2 after their bye week, but stumbled a bit against the Eagles in their regular season finale.  The question that will be answered is did the layoff hurt or help the number one seeded Cowboys, who are also facing the playoff debuts of rookie sensations Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott?

I think it helps Green bay since they have momentum.  The Packers and Aaaon Rodgers will pull this game out in an upset and save us in Houston from the spectacle of seeing the Cowboys play in the Super Bowl we're hosting.at NRG Stadium.

AFC Divisional Game

#3 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) vs #2  Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) at 7:20 PM CST on NBC

This is a rematch of an October 2 game at Heinz Field in which the Steelers curb stomped Kansas City 43-14. After that game the Chiefs went on their bye week, regrouped and went 10-2 to capture the AFC West title and a season sweep of the Raiders that allowed them to grab the number 2 seed.

The AFC North champion Steelers are on a bit of a hot streak themselves, going 7-2 after their bye week.  They have won eight straight games, including last week's 30-12 Wild Card round playoff demolition of the Miami Dolphins .

But the rematch is in Arrowhead Stadium, and the Chiefs aren't the same team the Steelers rolled over in Week 4.   The Steelers do have momentum on their side.  So do the Chiefs, who got to chill and watch everyone else play during Wild Card weekend..

So who is going to win this game?   Going with the Chiefs in this one.

2016-17 NFL Playoffs- Wildcard Weekend

After celebrating my TransGriot NFL Prognostication repeat title, now it's time to keep those championship prognostication muscles exercised and giving something else to write about besides Orange Julius by focusing on the NFL Playoffs and finding out who will be playing at NRG Stadium on February 5 in Super Bowl LI.

It's Wildcard Weekend!  Let the games begin.

Saturday Games

AFC Wildcard Game
#5 Oakland Raiders (12-4) vs. #4 Houston Texans (9-7). on ABC/ESPN

The Saturday early game features my hometown NFL ballers and back to back AFC South champs playing in a rematch at NRG Stadium of their controversial Week 11 game against the Raiders in Mexico City.

The game at Estadio Azteca was dominated by the Texans and their defense for most of the night but it was Derek Carr and the Raiders who pulled out the 27-20 win in the fourth quarter with the help of two momentum changing bad calls that erased a Deandre Hopkins 60 yard TD catch and a first down by Akeem hunt on a potential go ahead scoring drive.

The Raiders ar in the NFL playoffs after a 13 year absence, and were cruising to a potential number one seed in the AFC playoffs until Derek Carr suffered a season ending leg injury against the Colts and losing to the Broncos dropped them to the 5th seed.

So Carr after a MVP type season won't be here and Tony Corrente (thank God) won't be the ref.

Brock Osweiler, after being benched in Week 16 favor of Tom Savage, gets the start after Savage suffered a concussion in the season ending 24-17 loss to the Tennessee Traitors.   He knows if he doesn't get it done, he'll be warming the bench in 2017.

Note to Brock.  No turnovers, and throw the damned ball to Deandre Hopkins early and often.  Throw it to number 10 and you help the Texans win.

This will come down to the defenses for both squads,  The Texans D finished the season ranked number one in the league without JJ Watt in the lineup because number one pick Jadeveon Clowney had a Pro Bowl season and stayed healthy.   Lamar Miller will also be back after sitting out the last two weeks of the season, and if Osweiler doesn't turn the ball over, that may be enough for the Texans to get past the Raiders in this wild card game.

And yeah, the Texans are determined to not stink up NRG Stadium like they did in last year's NFL Wildcard round.  Texans to win a close game.

NFC Wildcard Game
#3 Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1) vs #6 Detroit Lions (9-7)  on NBC

This is another one of those Saturday games that could go either way and features quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford   This also the only NFL Wildcard Weekend playoff matchup that isn't a rematch of a regular season game

This one is basically going to come down to location, location, location and they are playing this one outdoors in Seattle.  The NFC West champs also have the better defense.  The Lions were only 4-3 down the stretch, but those three losses were to NFC playoff teams Dallas, New York and Green Bay.  
But you can't discount Stafford and his ability to engineer late game comebacks.  The Lions however haven't won a playoff game since 1963, haven't won an outdoor game all year and the Seahawks are trying to make it to the Super Bowl for the third time in four seasons.

Don't think the Lions will win today either at CenturyLink Field.   Seahawks for the win.

Sunday Games

AFC Wildcard Game
#3 Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) vs #6 Miami Dolphins (10-6)  on CBS

This is an intriguing matchup at Heinz Field between the red hot AFC North champion Steelers and the Dolphins. The Steelers have won seven straight games to close out the season and went 7-2 after their bye week.  

The Dolphins have also been on a 7-2 tear since their bye week, and are in the playoffs for the first time in eight years.  They also beat the Steelers 30-15 during their Week 6 clash at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, so that may give them a little confidence going into this game..

But this is a different Steelers team, and it's playoff time.  This game looks like on paper it could be a tight one, but when in doubt, go with the hot team   I'm picking the Steelers.

NFC Wildcard Game 
#4 Green Bay Packers (10-6 ) vs #5 New York Giants (11-5)  on FOX

The Sunday night late game features another regular season rematch.  The NFC North champion Packers had to run the table after a 4-6 start just to make it to the playoffs, and that's exactly what they did.

But the New York Giants have a habit of walking into Lambeau Field and ruining Packer playoff dreams   The Giants also beat the Packets 23-16 during a Week 5 clash at Lambeau Field.

But it's January, and the Packers are not even close to being that 4-6 team the Giants beat back in October.   Will the Giants ruin Green Bay's playoff dreams this year?  

We'll see, but going with the Packers to win this game  .

Super Bowl 50 Musings

In a few hours Super Bowl 50 will kick off between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers to determine who walks away with the NFL title and the Vince Lombardi trophy.

I've already made my Super Bowl prediction like 'errbody' else in media world, but as the clock ticks down to the start of the final NFL game of the 2015-16 season, I have other random thoughts that are percolating in my mind besides the action that will take place at Levi's Stadium starting at 5:30 PM CST.

In addition to the mass quantities of food we Americans consume during that game and the billions we bet on it legally and illegally, corporations spend millions for Super Bowl advertising slots before and during the game and on making the good, bad, indifferent and 'what the hell were they thinking' commercials that will run during it.

I'm parked in front of the TV not only for the game and the armchair analysis of it, but to spend some quality time with my friends.  You haven't lived until you've watched a Super Bowl with a room full of TBLG people and allies.  It's a hilarious and wonderful slice of life where for just a few hours, we LGBT World NFL fans can forget about the reality that on Monday or as soon as the last confetti has been swept off the turf, the rest of America will go back to hatin' us with a foaming at the mouth determination and gleefully working to roll back our human rights.

For that few hours during a Super Bowl, we trans. bi and SGL NFL fans are just like everyone else, rooting for our fave team (,in this year's case either the Broncos or the Panthers) to win and then plotting if you live in Denver or Charlotte where and how fast can you get your championship swag if they handle their Super Bowl 50 business.

Speaking of human rights, hey Mayor Turner and everyone else from Houston observing what is happening in the San Francisco Bay Area this week in advance of my hometown hosting Super Bowl LI in 2017, how about y'all doing us Houstonians a huge favor?   As soon as y'all step off the plane from Cali, how about you and City Council get busy and start working on expeditiously passing HERO 2.0?

World class cities protect the human rights of their citizens, and if you want H-town to ever be considered as a host for another Super Bowl, better get busy with that necessary human rights task.

When I watch a Super Bowl, I'm also cognizant of the possibility that if I'm fortunate, I'll get to watch some Black history being made at the same time while I'm munching on pizza or wings.

I remember bursting with pride when Doug Williams became in 1988 the first African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and Russell Wilson doing so in 2014.   It was why I was so incensed when that boneheaded pass play call in last year's game call cost the Seahawks not the change to win back to back titles, but Wilson the opportunity to become the first ever Black NFL starting QB to win back to back NFL titles.

And it's no secret I want to see Cam Newton join that exclusive fraternity of Black NFL QB's who have hoisted a Lombardi Trophy in a few hours and deliciously shutting up his racist haters.

Because Newton winning the NFL MVP award for 2015 last night, leading the team to a 17-1 record and the franchise's second NFC title and Super Bowl berth won't be enough to silence them.  But I have noticed during my lifetime that winning shuts bigots up.

While as a Texans fans I despise the Indianapolis Colts, I put that rivalry aside when the Tony Dungy led Colts and Lovie Smith's Chicago Bears faced off in what we called in the Black community the 'Soul Bowl'.

Even the NFL officials calling the Super Bowl at times have made Black history.  Mike Carey, the second Black NFL referee when he was hired in 1995 and is now retired, in 2008 became the first Black referee to call the title game.  In 2013 Jerome Boger became the second Black referee to do officiate a Super Bowl.

Looking forward to seeing the day a female NFL official gets to do that and be the referee at a Super Bowl, but that's another post.

Well, hope the players got enough sleep for their busy and career making day.

I'm just hoping for a great game like the millions of people around the country that will be tuned in for it, and that one day I'll know what it is like to see my hometown NFL franchise play in one..
 

TransGriot 2015 NFL Picks-Conference Championship

I'm in Chicago for Creating Change, but the NFL 2015-16 playoffs are rolling toward Championship Sunday and who will play in Super Bowl 50.

In last week's Divisional Round went 3-1 (5-3 for the playoffs) on my picks thanks to that unbelievable play in OT by Larry Fitzgerald that followed a miracle Green Bay Hail Mary that tied the game at 20-20 and sent it to overtime.

It's Championship Sunday, and hope we get two games that match the drama of those Divisional round matchups.

AFC Championship

#2 New England Patriots (13-4) at #1 Denver Broncos (13-4) 

First up on Championship Sunday is the rematch, with much higher stakes between the Patriots and Broncos.  The regular season clash played at Sports Authority Field back on November 29 resulted in an unexpected 30-24 Denver overtime victory that knocked the Patriots from the unbeaten ranks and the Broncos eventually getting home field for this game.

This time, Brock Osweiler won't be the starting QB, Peyton Manning will be.  He led them to a come from behind 23-16 victory in their Divisional round game against the Steelers.  The Brady bunch ended the Kansas City Chiefs season with their 27-20 win at Gillette Stadium.

Should be another interesting and close game between future Hall of Fame QB's Manning and Brady, but only one will be walking away with the Lamar Hunt trophy at the end of the game and a punched ticket to Super Bowl 50.

While it's hard to beat a team twice in the same season,  Broncos will win this game.

NFC Championship

#2 Arizona Cardinals (14-3)  at #1 Carolina Panthers (16-1)

This game will be in Charlotte, and it's a game matching arguably the two best teams in the NFC and possibly the league.

Both of them had interesting Divisional round games to say the least.   The Cardinals had go to overtime to punch their first NFC conference title game ticket since 2008 after Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary throw on the last play of regulation time tied the game 20-20.  

The Panthers stormed out of the locker room and built a 31-0 halftime lead against the Seahawks, then had to hold on for dear life as the two time NFC champs mounted a furious second half comeback that fell just short.

This should be a fun game to watch, but as for who I think will be hoisting the George Halas trophy after the game, it will be the Panthers.

TransGriot 2015 NFL Picks - Divisional Round

As you TransGriot readers probably guessed, I was not happy with the piss poor playoff performance of my hometown NFL ballers, but picked that game correctly.

Note to Texans GM Rick Smith:  Please get the Texans an NFL quality franchise starting quarterback
Went 2-2 thanks to Blair Walsh missing a chip shot field goal and the Bengals melting down in the fourth quarter to snatch playoff defeat from the jaws of a streak snapping playoff victory.

It's now the 2016 NFL playoffs Divisional Round.  The stakes are higher in these four games this weekend, with the winners going to the conference championship games and the losers ending their season lamenting about what might have been.

And  now, my picks for this weekend's NFL playoff games.

NFL Divisional Round    Saturday, January 16, 2016

#5 Kansas City Chiefs (12-5) at #2 New England Patriots (12-4)

Interestingly enough, this is the first ever meeting of both teams in the playoffs

The Chiefs go into this game as the league's hottest team after the number 2 ranked defense in the league forced five turnovers in their 30-0 shutout of the Texans to win their eleventh straight game and snap their eight game playoff losing streak.  

Meanwhile the defending NFL champion Patriots needed that bye week off. After starting 10-0, they limped down the stretch with a 2-4 record after suffering a series of injuries that has crippled their offense and left them with an offense line that has struggled to protect Tom Brady this year..  

But you can't bet against a team that has gone 32-5 at home in the playoff, and the Chiefs are due to lose a game.  Patriots to win this game,

#5 Green Bay Packers (11-6) at #2 Arizona Cardinals (13-3)

After spotting Washington an 11-0 lead, the Packers offense finally woke up from their several week long slumber and looked like their number three NFL ranked selves by scoring on five consecutive possessions ti get control of the game and cruise to their 35-18 wild card round win

But this week they are playing a Cardinals squad that demolished them 38-8 back on December 27 in Glendale, and is itching to prove they are the best team complete team in the league,

They say it's hard to beat the same team twice in the same season. but Arizona will handle their business in the desert once again and move on to the NFC title game.

NFL Divisional Round   Sunday January 17, 2016

#6 Seattle Seahawks (11-6) at #1 Carolina Panthers (15-1)

Sunday starts off with a heavyweight matchup between the fortunate to be here Seahawks and a Panthers team that is on a mission to get to Santa Clara for Super Bowl 50.

The Seahawks are probably happy it won't be -6 degrees like it was for last week's game, but don't let that sixth seed fool you.  The Seahawks are not quite the Legion of Boom, but are still the number one ranked defense in the NFL.  The two time defending NFC champs offense also woke up down the stretch and gets Marshawn Lynch back..

Carolina has their MVP candidate QB Cam Newton rested and ready for this battle between two teams that are basically mirror images of each other.

It will be a tight game, but Seattle will pull off the upset to get to their third straight NFC title game.

#6 Pittsburgh Steelers (11-6) at #1 Denver Broncos (12-4) 

The last time these teams played during the regular season, Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown were enjoying their Heinz Field home cooking.  They stormed back from a 27-13 deficit to force two turnovers and scored 20 unanswered second half points to get a 34-27 comeback victory over a Bronco team being quarterbacked by Brock Osweiler.

But this time the game is in Denver, and Peyton Manning will be the Broncos starter.  Antonio Brown still hasn't cleared concussion protocol after suffering a concussion in the wildcard game against Cincinnati they were fortunate to win 18-16 thanks to the Bengals fourth quarter meltdown, they have a running back by committee situation due to injuries and Roethlisberger is banged up.

You'll also have a Peyton Manning determined to shake off his failed playoff performances of the past and give the fans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High some to cheer about.

Advantage and game to the Broncos.  

TransGriot 2015 NFL Picks- Wild Card Weekend Edition

The 2015 NFL regular season has concluded and it's now playoff time.  All is right in my prognostication world as I have captured the 2015 TransGriot NFL regular season prognostication title, and now I will attempt to prove to 'errbody' that it wasn't a fluke.

As a reminder, here's who I thought would be the AFC and NFC champs in Super Bowl 50.

'As to which teams I'm predicting will be in Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco, I like New England and Seattle. We'll see how accurate that prediction is in February.'

So far so good.  While the Patriots ended up as the AFC number 2 seed with a bye into the Divisional Round, the Seahawks, if they are going to make it to their third straight Super Bowl, will have to do so from the number 6 seed and win three straight NFC playoff road games to do so.

So let's get to the Wild Card Weekend predictions.

AFC Wild Card Round   Saturday January 9, 2016

#5 Kansas City (11-5) at  #4 Houston Texans (9-7)

This is a rematch of the season opener at NRG Stadium in which the Chiefs sprinted out to a 27-9 lead before the Texans comeback led by Ryan Mallett fell short in a 27-20 loss

Since that Week One clash, both teams are not only light years different from the teams that met back in September, they are riding win streaks.  The Chiefs closed out the season with 10 straight wins to punch their playoff tickets after sliding to 1-5, and the Texans overcame a 3-5 start and using four quarterbacks to finish the season 6-2 and capture their third AFC South title in five years thanks to the having the number 3 ranked defense in the NFL and a certain NFL sack leader named Justin James Watt on their side.

But the Chiefs are no slouches on defense either, ranking seventh in the league defensively.

But they have also lost eight straight playoff games, and the last time they won one was in 1993 in the Astrodome with Joe Montana as their quarterback against an Oilers team that won 12 straight games after an 0-4 start to win the AFC Central Division. That shocking playoff loss set in motion the events that led to them moving to Nashville.

The Texans have never lost a wild card round game, beating the Bengals twice in front of raucous home crowds, so somebody's playoff streak is about to die.

My heart is with my hometown NFL team, my head says the Chiefs will win because they have a starting QB in Alex Smith, the Texans don't unless Brian Hoyer plays his A game, and they lost their All-Pro Duane Brown off the offensive line who usually gets the assignment of neutralizing the opposition's best pass rusher.

But won't be too upset if I get this one wrong.

#6 Pittsburgh (10-6) vs #3 Cincinnati (12-4)


The Steelers are in thanks to the Jets losing, and the Bengals won the AFC North for the second straight year thanks to their franchise best ever 8-0 start. The teams split the season series, with the Bengals taking a 16-10 come from behind win at Heinz Field to go 7-0.

The Steelers returned the favor in Week 14, spanking the Bengals 33-20 at Paul Brown Stadium in which the Bengals lost QB Andy Dalton to a thumb injury.

Bit this time these AFC North division rivals are playing for a spot in the Divisional round of the playoffs and the Bengals aren't playing the Texans.   The Steelers also have problems in their secondary that the Bengals deep passing game will exploit even if the QB throwing those deep balls is AJ McCarron.

 Bengals to move on to the next round.

NFC Wild Card Round   January 10, 2016

#6 Seattle (10-6)  vs #3 Minnesota (11-5)

The Seahawks bid for a NFC championship threepeat and a third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl starts at 12 noon in a frozen Minneapolis against the NFC North champs.  The new US Bank domed stadium doesn't open until this summer, and this will be the first outdoor home playoff game for the Vikings since their quarterback's name was Fran Tarkenton.

The temp at kickoff is predicted to be at 1 degree F for the high.  That last chilly Viking playoff game BTW, was a 24-13 victory in the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams in 12 degree F weather on December 26, 1976.

This chilly wildcard game is also a rematch of the Week 13 one played at TCF Bank Stadium in which the Seahawks came to town and ran over the Vikings 38-7 in 37 degree F weather.

And bad news for Vikings fans, Marshawn Lynch will be in the lineup for this playoff game,

But the Vikings have been exceeding expectations all season.  Nobody expected them to win the NFC North and they did in a do or die Week 17 game against the hated Packers at Lambeau Field.

Nobody expected them to win at Lambeau Field or Soldier Field and they accomplished both this season on their way to their first NFC North title since 2012.  Nobody expected Adrian Peterson to win the NFL rushing title this season but he did. Nobody is expecting Teddy Bridgewater to outduel Russell Wilson this Sunday either.

But tomorrow, their luck runs out,   They say it hard to beat a team twice in the NFL, but the Seahawks are on a roll and will start their road to a third consecutive Super Bowl with a close win.

#5 Green Bay (10-6) at  #4 Washington (9-7)

Somebody had to win the NFC East, and it was the NFL ballers from DC who  went 6-3 after their bye week to capture the division and enter this clash at FedEx Field on a four game win streak.

The Packers head to our nation's capital for this wild card matchup limping in with a 4-6 record down the stretch and the Packer offense not being its usual prolific self, ranking 31st in the league.  It's obvious the Packer offense REALLY misses Jordy Nelson.

It also isn't helping that the Green Bay offensive line is giving up sacks in bunches, which means that Aaron Rodgers isn't getting time to find any open receives, when they aren't being blanketed by opposing defenses.

I don't know of any NFL quarterback that can throw TD passes while seated on the bench or tasting turf.  Meanwhile Washington is riding a four game winning streak coming into this game.  They went 6-3 down the stretch after their bye week,

Gotta go with team that's on a roll, and that's Washington.