MY NFL DIVISIONAL ROUND WEEKEND

X-FACTORS FOR EACH GAME

The Divisional Round is just around the corner. Here are x-factors for each game and what you need to know.

It’s time to look at the x-factors in the Divisional Round. This weekend is one of the best of entire playoffs. Every team is good and every matchup could go either way. We’re going to take a closer look at what each team must do to continue their 2018 campaign and win the ultimate prize, the Lombardi Trophy.

Here are the four games we’ll be breaking down.

SATURDAY

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

DALLAS COWBOYS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS

SUNDAY

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

We’re in for some great NFL Playoff action. With so many scenarios and outcomes that could unfold here’s what we think will define each game this weekend.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

X-FACTOR: Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes has been the very best quarterback, if not player, in the NFL this season. The biggest question for Mahomes is if he can erase his franchise’s 26 years of playoff misery. We haven’t seen the Chiefs win at home in the playoffs since 1993, when Hall Of Famer Joe Montana was at the helm.

Can Mahomes finally help the Chiefs break the playoff drought? More importantly, can he dodge the rookie playoff record from Wild Card weekend? Every first-year quarterback lost to a more experienced quarterback and team last weekend. Mahomes has been absolutely electric this season. Can he continue, along with his team, to push the narrative of high-scoring play?

Mahomes has had an extraordinary season, but we’ve yet to see him on this sort of stage. The pressure will only be greater due to the Chiefs history in the playoffs. All the pressure will be on him to deliver a huge win over a surging and experienced Colts team.

DALLAS COWBOYS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS

X-FACTOR: Rams defense

We’ll see another amazing, high-flying offense on Saturday. The Rams, just like the Chiefs, have been on fire this season. Also, just like the Chiefs, the Rams defense isn’t the greatest. This is why they’re the x-factor for this matchup. Can they stop Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott?

Defense wins championships in the NFL. Whether it’s a dominant defense or one that just found their way during the postseason, a team needs to stop the opposing offense in some capacity at a high level in order to be successful this time of year. Can Aaron Donald and Co. do enough to contain the Cowboys playmakers at home?

This is a huge game for the city of Los Angeles. This defense will need to step up and help out their potent offense. The Cowboys boast one of the best running backs in the NFL. If the Rams can help stop the run and make Dak throw the ball, they can come out with a huge playoff victory. Head Coach Sean McVay really needs this win to solidify himself as the top coach in the NFL.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

X-FACTOR: Tom Brady

There are so many storylines for this game we could touch on. The one that we keep hearing this season usually surrounds Tom Brady’s age and if this year’s Patriot team is showing signs of the usual dynasty decline. Brady has a knack for coming up huge in big-time games. He’ll want to go out on a good note if he’s even thinking about retiring, which he shows no signs of doing so.

If the Patriots want to continue being feared by their peers they’ll have to come out and punch the Chargers defense right in the mouth. The Chargers are very similar to the Indianapolis Colts. They arguably the two most complete teams left in the playoffs. Brady will have to prove he still has it. The Chargers play great defense, as we saw against the very talented Lamar Jackson.

But Brady is not Lamar Jackson. Even if he’s showing signs of decline, his track record speaks for itself and he can pick apart any defensive scheme. Whether it’s zone or man to man, Brady will recognize it and get the ball out fast. He’s absolutely the x-factor in this game. This team goes as he goes. If the Patriots offensive line can keep Brady clean we will see New England in yet another AFC Championship game.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

X-FACTOR: Nick Foles

We all know by now that Nick Foles is really good at winning playoff games. He has ice in his veins. He can play anywhere. He has thrown seven touchdowns in a game. He’s won a Super Bowl and been named a Super Bowl MVP. He has all the credentials to win this ball game. This particular ball game won’t be easy to win. The New Orleans Saints play hard on both sides of the ball.

Technically, the Philadelphia Eagles shouldn’t be here. Same story as last season. The Eagles on paper have no business winning championships and breaking hearts, but here we are for round two of Eagles vs. Saints. The first matchup was easily won by New Orleans. A 48-7 butt whooping really changes how you think of yourself as a team. We have a different quarterback and different stakes for round two.

Question is will they matter? Will they affect the outcome of this game? Can Nick Foles go into New Orleans and do what Carson Wentz couldn’t? All the signs suggest he can. Something very important we have to think about for this year’s Eagles team, though, just like in Kansas City: They don’t have a true running game. Playoff games are won by tough defense and clock control. Only way to control the clock is to run the rock.