NFL Playoffs Bracket & Matchups 2016: TV Schedule & Preview For Every AFC Game
After 17 long weeks of waiting, we're finally here. The NFL postseason is about to start, football fans. The seedings are final and the matchups are set. The only thing left to do is preview each and every game in both conferences.
Let's begin with the AFC.
AFC Standings
1. Denver Broncos: 12-4
2. New England Patriots: 12-4
3. Cincinnati Bengals: 11-5
4. Houston Texans: 9-7
5. Kansas City Chiefs: 11-5
6. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-6
The Denver Broncos and New England Patriots are the top two seeds in the AFC, so they will both get a first round bye week, again. After that we still have two other games that will be played in the AFC divisional round.
(5) Chiefs at (4) Texans
This is kind of an ironic matchup because the Chiefs used to be the Dallas Texans. These two teams have proved the doubters wrong all season long. The Chiefs began their year just 1-5, but they have put together an amazing 10 game win streak. The Chiefs beat the Texans in Week 1 and they have a superior record, but that won't matter for home-field advantage in this one. The Texans won the AFC South which trumps all.
The key matchup in this one to watch is going to be the Chiefs passing offense against the Texans pass rush. The Chiefs passing game has been rejuvenated with Jeremy Maclin on the roster. Alex Smith has had one of his most successful season with deep ball throws, and that offensive line is giving him time to throw. The Chiefs haven't won a single playoff game since 1993, when Joe Montana was the starting quarterback. If they fail to win this game despite entering the playoffs on a 10 game win streak, it's going to sting bad.
J.J. Watt powers a defense that ranks No. 3 overall in the league, so it looks like we're going to be in for a low scoring game. This is old school football at its finest. Brian Hoyer will get the start for the Texans in this one. If DeAndre Hopkins can have a big day, the Texans have a chance.
Schedule
Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET on ESPN at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
(6) Steelers at (3) Bengals
For the third time this season, the AFC North powers of the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers will collide. These teams hate each other, and it doesn't get any better than this. The Bengals have to win this game if they want to save Marvin Lewis' job. The Bengals haven't won a single playoff game since 1990, the longest active playoff win drought in the NFL.
The Bengals have to find a way to contain Antonio Brown and this high-powered Steelers offense. Backup quarterback A.J. McCarron is preparing to start this game for the Bengals. These two squads split games with each other during the regular season, one win each. Despite not having Andy Dalton right now, the Bengals do have a superior defensive unit that ranked second in the league in points allowed.
The only time these two met in the playoffs was in 2006. That was the game when Kimo von Oelhoffen hit Carson Palmer low in the first half and tore his ACL. The Steelers won that game and eventually the Super Bowl that year.
For the Steelers, they may be the No. 6 seed, but they are the favorites. Ben Roethlisberger and this offense are firing on all cylinders. DeAngelo Williams suffered a sprained ankle in the final regular season game, and his status remains questionable for this one.
Schedule
Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET on CBS at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1