Well, that was something. The divisional round of the NFL playoffs featured one blowout and three down-to-the-wire thrillers, and it left our expert panel with four battle-tested teams still in the hunt for the Super Bowl.
How do the four stack up, and was the Vikings’ historic, heart-stopping win over the Saints enough to knock the defending-champion Patriots from top spot? Read on to find out.
This week, the panel includes editor Geoff Lowe, as well as staff writers Donnovan Bennett and Mike Johnston
1. New England Patriots
2017 record: 13-3
Divisional round: 35–14 victory over Tennessee
The Patriots are heading to their seventh straight AFC championship on the back of a pretty routine victory over the Titans on Saturday, maintaining their status as the team to beat in these playoffs.
New England is a deservedly heavy favourite for next Sunday’s game at Gillette Stadium, and should advance to the Super Bowl for the eighth time under Bill Belichick.
But the Jaguars offer an intriguing matchup for the Patriots. Jacksonville boasts the league’s best pass defence and sacked quarterbacks 55 times this season, a combination of strengths that has been Tom Brady’s Kryptonite in past post-seasons — both Super Bowl losses to the Giants and the 2015 AFC title game against Denver being perfect examples. (GL)
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2. Minnesota Vikings
2017 record: 13-3
Divisional round: 29–24 victory over New Orleans
The dream of hosting the Super Bowl is still alive after the “Minnesota Miracle” finish to the first playoff game in U.S. Bank Stadium. After all the playoff heart break over the years, it is serendipitous the Vikings got the first ever “walk-off” touchdown in the fourth quarter of a post-season game. (DB)
3. Philadelphia Eagles
2017 record: 13-3
Divisional round: 15–10 victory over Atlanta
The Eagles got exactly what they needed from Nick Foles against the Falcons, as Carson Wentz’s reliever avoided big mistakes on Saturday and was able to operate the offence effectively, especially in the second half.
But it’s Philadelphia’s defence that has the team this far without its best player under centre. The Eagles held Atlanta to just 281 total yards, the Falcons’ second-lowest offensive output of the season, and shut out Matt Ryan and company in the second half.
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With a defence that stifling, the underdog Eagles could find similar success against Minnesota. The Vikings dominated New Orleans for most of their divisional-round game, but still needed a miracle TD after failing to seal the deal early. (GL)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
2017 record: 10-6
Divisional round: 45–42 victory over Pittsburgh
Strong defence and an ability to run the ball is a tried-and-true recipe for playoff success. Fortunately for the Jags, those are this team’s two best qualities.
The Patriots will key in on Leonard Fournette in the AFC Championship Game and force Blake Bortles to beat them with his arm. But if Bortles’s offensive line protects him like they did against the Steelers, they’ve got a real shot at an upset here. (MJ)
