
The NFL Playoffs start Saturday with a Chiefs-Colts, Saints-Eagles double-header. We've asked some of the media's most passionate fans to explain why their team will advance to the next round. If you're a fan of any one of the remaining teams -- Chargers, Bengals, 49ers, Packers, Seahawks, Patriots, Panthers or Broncos -- send us an email: dbyers@politico.com.
New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:10 p.m. ET Donna Brazile, CNN and ABC News contributor, for the Saints:
New Orleans Saints will overcome the impressive Eagles offense with an iron clad defense. Brees will throw up and down the chilly field. ... Saints play with heart, Eagles with head. If our defense can hold down their offense, the Saints will win narrowly.
Jake Tapper, host of CNN's "The Lead", for the Eagles:
Lots of reasons why the birds will win tonight. The Saints are strong but they're 3-5 on the road -- it certainly has not always been a cool Brees for away games (he's never won an away NFL playoff game, by the way. And the Saints as a team are 0-5. Something of a curse, if you ask me.) The Eagles haven't had an unblemished record, but they've closed the season strong (7-1) -- do not discount the importance of a team that's doing a lot of winning facing off against another that isn't. We have an incredible offensive line, the best running back in the league, and our record-breaking QB Nick Foles has thrown 27 touchdowns with just 2 interceptions. Then there's the weather; it is not always sunny in Philadelphia, and we like snowball weather, as you may know. We're a superstitious lot, Eagles fans, so I won't say any more, except: Fly, Eagles, Fly.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis Colts, 4:35 p.m. ET Juana Summers, POLITICO defense reporter, for the Chiefs (with
Katie Glueck endorse):
So here's the thing that you need to know about the Kansas City Chiefs. As a fan through the good - and the really, really bad - I've seen this team perform amazingly when they're focused and can set the tempo in the first few minutes of the game. This season's examples? Redskins, Raiders and Chargers match ups. Those games have proven just how good of a football team this can be when they step up and control the tempo, and don't lose that focus through all four quarters. That aside, this Chiefs team has shown that the defense can come up with big plays and stops, and move the ball well on offense. If that team shows up against Indy - and I expect it will - we'll have this in the bag.
Brian Rosenthal, Seattle Times state government reporter and Indy native, for the Colts:
I clearly got the easy assignment in the class. The Colts walloped the Chiefs 23-7 in Week 16. The only difference this time around? The Chiefs won't have starting right tackle Eric Fisher -- the first overall pick in last April's draft. Plus, the Chiefs have lost six playoff games in a row. You think Alex Smith is the guy to turn that around?
http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/01/saturday-nfl-playoff-predictions-180551.html