Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium plays host to the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts as they battle on Sunday morning. This is a rematch of the epic 2014 playoff matchup where the Colts stormed home to beat the Chiefs 45-44. Hopefully, this is another one to remember. In 2018, the Chiefs earned home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a 12-4 record. They're the best scoring team in the NFL and won 7 of 8 home games. But they'll start their quest for a Super Bowl appearance up against an in-form side. The Colts travelled to Houston last week and were a class above in a 21-7 thrashing of the Texans. Since starting the season 1-5, this has been a truly remarkable comeback. QB Andrew Luck looks back to his best after a few injury interrupted seasons and the Colts defence is on fire. They will need to bring the same effort against a Chiefs team that loves to score points. Led by Patrick Malhomes 50 TDs this season, his Chiefs offence is averaging 35 points per game. As such, the total points for this matchup at around the 54 point mark. It looks a tad high at the moment, especially looking at the Colts form and how they've fared at this venue. Overall in the last 8 meetings in Kansas City, the Colts hold a 7-1 record and they've covered the line in all 7 victories. This season, they have a 4-1 record against the line and I believe their defence can stop the Chiefs to keep this within a close margin. Kansas City don't have a great record in the playoffs either. They lost to the Titans at home last season as favourites and since 1994, they've won just 1 of 11 playoff games.
Stadium Record
The Colts hold a 7-1 record against the Chiefs in Kansas City. The Chiefs went 7-1 at home this season.
Head to Head Record
The two sides last met in 2016 and the Chiefs won 30-14. The previous meeting was a playoff matchup where the Colts won 45-44.
Best Bet
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams
The Sunday double-header will head to Los Angeles as the LA Rams host the Dallas Cowboys. The 13-3 Rams are the #2 seed in the NFC playoffs after a dominant regular season. They love to pass the ball with weapons such as Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods. While on the ground, they have arguably the best RB in the game (Todd Gurley). He missed the last 2 games of action, so he'll be playing on 3 weeks rest and will likely be a handful for the Cowboys defence. Dallas moved onto the next round with a nail-biting 24-22 over the Seahawks at home last week. RB
Ezekiel Elliott put on a masterclass in the running game with 137 yards from 26 carries. So this matchup will offer two of the best running backs in the game. While a heavy running game should generally lead to a low scoring game, these two offences are hard to stop and that should see a high scoring affair. Which is backed up by the last 2 meetings between these two sides. In 2017, the Rams travelled to Dallas and won 35-30. The previous meeting was also high scoring - 34-31. Also, the Over has saluted in 5 of the last 7 games at this venue. While on the road, Dallas is 4-1 against the Over when they play the Rams.
Stadium Record
Dallas is yet to play at this venue against the Rams. This season, the Rams won 7 of 8 home games
Head to Head Record
The Cowboys have won 3 of the last 4 meetings. They last played in 2017 and the Rams overcome them 35-30.
Best Bet
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
Monday's NFL action begins in Foxborough with the New England Patriots taking on the LA Chargers. With this home divisional playoff game, the Patriots will make it an amazing 9 straight seasons that they've started the postseason with a bye and a home playoff game afterwards. They haven't lost in the divisional playoffs since 2010 and they have won 11 of their last 12 home playoff games. So all in all, the Patriots know how to get it done at this time of the year. The 2018 regular season was a tale of two teams - the Patriots woes on the road and their dominance at home (8-0 at home and 3-5 in away games). So they'll be heavily favoured at home against the Chargers this Monday. For the Chargers, despite a 12-4 record they'll be travelling for the 3rd straight week. Their defence stopped Lamar Jackson for 3 quarters last week before they survived a late scare to win 23-17 in Baltimore. Phillip Rivers was mostly held in-check and they didn't have much success on the ground. In the recent head to head between the Patriots and Chargers, New England has dominated with a 4-0 record since 2010. They've also won the last 2 playoff meetings. So the Patriots at the line looks the best bet here. It's hard to bet against Tom Brady at home in the playoffs. There's also the fact the Chargers will have to travel again and that could count against them in the 2nd half against a rested Patriots side. New England has covered the line in 6 of their last 8 home games and their recent playoff record at this venue is looking too good.
Stadium Record
New England held a perfect record at home in 2018 (8-0). The Chargers are 1-8 on the road against the Patriots.
Head to Head Record
Last season, the Patriots beat the Chargers 21-13 at this venue. Since 2002, New England is 7-3 in the head to head meetings.
Best Bet
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints
In the last game of the divisional playoffs, the New Orleans Saints will play the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday morning. The Saints finished the regular season with a 13-3 record and that earned them the #1 seed in the NFC. A dominant season afforded the Saints a luxury of resting their starters in the finale against the Panthers. So the likes of Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara will be fully fit to take on the Eagles. The Philadelphia playoff storyline continued last week as they knocked off the Bears in Chicago, thanks to a missed kick in the last few seconds. Nick Foles is proving to be a clutch QB as he led another game winning drive in the 4th quarter of the victory. Once again, the Eagles are underdogs in a playoff game and it's hard to back against them at the moment. There's also extra motivation for the away side considering the Saints absolutely smashed the Eagles at this venue last November (Saints won 48-7). However, the Eagles playoffs record should see a closer matchup this time and I like the Eagles at the line. They've covered the line in 5 of their last 7 road games and will take huge confidence out of beating the Bears last week in Chicago. Meanwhile, New Orleans are just 1-4 against the line in their last 5 games and could start slowly after a long break since Week 17.
Stadium Record
New Orleans is 6-2 at home this season. The Eagles haven't won in New Orleans since 2000.
Head to Head Record
The Saints hold a 4-1 record against the Eagles at home and beat them by 41 points in the last meeting. Overall since 2000, the Saints lead the head to head 6-4.
Best Bet
