Here’s a look at what to expect this weekend in the NFL divisional playoffs:
1. It all gets started with the Seahawks at Atlanta on Saturday afternoon.
Matt Ryan vs. the Legion of Boom: Does it get any better than that?
The Falcons quarterback led the NFL in passer rating this season, but his team lost 26-24 at Seattle in Week 6.
Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn knows plenty about Pete Carroll’s team, having been the defensive coordinator there in 2013 and ’14.
Fox will have the game at 4:35.
2. Go ahead and make plans for Saturday night.
The Patriots figure to flay the Texans, who still won’t have a quarterback half as good as Tom Brady to rely on when the game kicks off on CBS a little after 8 p.m.
Houston does have the NFL’s best defense (statistically), though, with resurgent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney leading that unit, so maybe Bill O’Brien’s team can hang around for a while.
3. Pittsburgh-Kansas City start a super Sunday doubleheader.
NBC will have this one as the Steelers and Chiefs play for only the second time in the postseason. Joe Montana led KC to a 27-24 overtime victory in the first one.
This time around the Chiefs will likely need a big game from their defense to contain Big Ben, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown.
4. Green Bay-Dallas wraps things up at 4:40 Sunday afternoon on Fox.
Will this be the game of the year so far?
Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay are rolling while Dallas is coming in off a bye.
The Packers have won seven consecutive games, outscoring opponents 223-125 during that span, including a 38-13 win over the Giants last week.
Many are curious to see how Prescott and Elliott will look in their first taste of NFL postseason action, not to mention one that brings to mind some classics from the 1990s.
5. All four games are rematches from the regular season.
In addition to the Falcons, the Chiefs, Texans and Packers will all be looking for revenge.
New England obliterated Houston 27-0 in Week 3 despite still missing the suspended Brady while the Steelers embarrassed Kansas City 43-14 in prime time a week later.
Dallas beat Green Bay 30-16 in Lambeau Field in Week 6.
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