KAZ’S FEARLESS FORECAST

For The Record- Joe Kazmar

NFL Divisional Round Playoff Games This Weekend NFC

GREEN BAY (11-6) over DALLAS (13-3), 3:40 p.m. Sunday (FOX)—The Cowboys have already proven they can’t beat the New York Giants in two tries while the Packers made mince-meat (38-13) out of them Sunday to advance to the divisional round. I’m a huge fan of Aaron Rodgers, and when he predicted two months ago that Green Bay will run the table, I believed him. Rodgers seems to do whatever is necessary to win and delivers every time (so far). The Cowboys are an early four-point favorite, but they were favored to win both games against the Giants and even Philadelphia. I look for a final score of 42-39.

SEATTLE (11-5-1) over ATLANTA (11-5), 3:35 p.m. Saturday (FOX) ---This should be an interesting battle between the highest-scoring offense vs. a very stingy defense. Although the Falcons are favored by four points, whenever the playoffs begin, the Seahawks turn it up several notches and meet most challenges. I look for a final score of 36-34.

AFC

NEW ENGLAND (14-2) over HOUSTON (10-7), 7:15 p.m. Saturday (CBS)—The Patriots started off as a whopping 16-point favorite which dropped to 15½ on Monday (big deal!!).It would be hard to find a bona fide NFL fan who believes the Texans really have a chance to win. I look for Houston’s defense to do a real good job stopping the Pats, but I worry about the offense being able to move the football and give the defense a chance to rest. I look for a final score of 24-14.

KANSAS CITY (12-4) over PITTSBURGH (12-5), 12:05 p.m. Sunday (NBC)—I was shocked to see the early line Sunday night which had the Steelers a one-point favorite. But on Monday the Vegas Boys came to their senses and had the Chiefs favored by 2½ points. Both teams are on a pretty solid winning streak and are playing great football. I think Arrowhead Stadium is one of the loudest and most difficult stadiums in which to play. I look for a final score of 27-24.