{"id":2510,"date":"2016-01-16T08:45:41","date_gmt":"2016-01-16T13:45:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2510"},"modified":"2016-01-16T08:45:41","modified_gmt":"2016-01-16T13:45:41","slug":"divisional-weekend-round-1-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2510","title":{"rendered":"Divisional Weekend – Round 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NFL<\/a>Alright we\u2019re back and ready for another weekend of NFL playoff action.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to be straight with you:\u00a0 last week was brutal, at least from a betting perspective.\u00a0 The Machine was 2-2 straight up, but a pathetic 0-4 ATS.\u00a0 But have no fear:\u00a0 We\u2019re doubling down on our Coors Light intake and ready to make out mortgage payment back.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n

Kansas City @ New England, Saturday 4:35 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Line: NE +5, O\/U 44<\/p>\n

\"Patriots<\/a>As if you need a reason to hate the Patriots even more:\u00a0 this is their 6th<\/sup> straight home playoff game in the Divisional Round.\u00a0 Sometimes, cheating pays off.\u00a0 In the 5 prior Divisional playoff games, the Pats are 4-1 (3-2 ATS).\u00a0 That\u2019s a real nerdy way of saying we like their chances.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s two things that are going to make this game close: injuries and synthetic marijuana.\u00a0 No one needed the bye week more than the Patriots.\u00a0 After winning their first 10 games, the Pats went 4-6 down the stretch, and were hobbled by injuries all around.\u00a0 The Patriots will get Julien Edelmen back, but now comes word that Gronk\u2019s playing time is questionable.\u00a0 He was limited in practice all week, and didn\u2019t practice Thursday.\u00a0 In addition to that, there\u2019s Belichick\u2019s unexplained shiner, plus Chandler Jones\u2019 weekend bender (are those things related, why is no one reporting on that angle?)<\/p>\n

\"There's<\/a>

There’s a scandal here somewhere…<\/p><\/div>\n

Oh yeah, there\u2019s one other thing to keep in mind:\u00a0 The Chiefs.\u00a0 Kansas City started the season at 1-5, but then won 11 straight, punctuated with a 30-0 shellacking of the Texans last weekend.\u00a0 Just think what this team could be if Jamaal Charles were healthy.\u00a0 Just think what my fantasy team could\u2019ve been.\u00a0 But it\u2019s not the offense that first comes to mind.\u00a0 It\u2019s the defense.\u00a0 Led by all-world Justin Houston, the Chiefs allow fewer than 18 points a game, good for 3rd<\/sup> overall.\u00a0 They also rank 4th<\/sup> in sacks.\u00a0 If you watched last week\u2019s Wild Card matchup against Houston, the Chiefs defense was unreal.\u00a0 Perfect combination of pressure and press coverage, Andy Reid deserves coach of the year.\u00a0 The Chiefs defense alone will keep this game close.\u00a0 I don\u2019t care how much illegal taping the Pats have done\u2026their line will not be able to stop K.C. from putting constant pressure on Brady.<\/p>\n

Where the Chiefs will struggle is finding points.\u00a0 Alex \u201cI\u2019m not a game manager (yes you are)\u201d Smith leads an offense that ranks 27th<\/sup> overall (30th<\/sup> in passing) by far the worst of the playoff teams.\u00a0 With a banged up Jeremy Maclin, throwing the ball will be even tougher.\u00a0 Maclin leads the team in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns.\u00a0 And the Patriots defense is no slouch, ranking second overall in sacks.<\/p>\n

As much as we\u2019d love to call an upset, we just don\u2019t see it happening.\u00a0 The Chiefs haven\u2019t won in Foxboro since 1990 (0-5), right about the time the Machine was heading into our awkward teen years (or elementary school for Roid Rage \u2013 young punk).\u00a0 Despite the injuries to the offense, the Patriots defense will carry the day.\u00a0 Provided Chandler Jones lays off the pipe, they should be able to keep 8 in the box and force Alex Smith to throw.<\/p>\n

Prediction<\/strong>:\u00a0 Patriots 24, Kansas City 17<\/p>\n

\"Whatever<\/a>

Whatever happened to regular weed?<\/p><\/div>\n

Halftime:<\/p>\n