Wild Card weekend in the NFL has come and gone, and with domination by all four home teams,  NFL fans will now be looking to this weekend’s divisional round for another weekend of fantastic football. It has come down to eight of the finest teams in the league, and just about every single one of them have a shot to represent their respective conferences in the Super Bowl. Every one of the games this weekend will be must-watch for NFL fans. That’s the great thing about playoff football, anything can and will happen.

AFC – Houston Texans @ New England Patriots

This is the one matchup that pretty much everyone is on the same side for. The New England Patriots have been on an absolute tear ever since quarterback Tom Brady has returned from his DeflateGate suspension. The former (and potentially future) NFL MVP has averaged nearly 300 yards per game and has thrown a tremendous touchdown to interception ratio of 28-2. This man is something special. Even with the absence of star tight end Rob Gronkowski, he has managed to put up astounding numbers in just twelve games. The Patriots defense is no slouch either. They have been a force to be reckoned with all season, and that won’t change in the playoffs.

On the flip side, the Houston Texans are a solid football team. Finishing a respectable 9-7, they won the AFC South this year. However, the lack of consistency quarterback  has really held them back from being a legitimate threat. And as solid as the defense has been, it will be hard to stop Tom Brady, especially without one of the league’s best defensive players, JJ Watt.

Predicted Winner: New England

The deck is just too stacked against Houston in this one. The Patriots have home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and this should be a very easy step in their quest to win yet another Super Bowl.

NFC – Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons

A matchup that can definitely go either way, the Falcons vs the Seahawks should be a shootout. Both of the offenses are high powered, and both defenses are formidable in their own right. Seattle does have the defensive advantage, whereas the Falcons have the offensive advantage. Matt Ryan has led the Falcons to a first round bye in the playoffs this year. He has had an MVP worthy season, and that kind of pace should continue for the graduate of Boston College. Add in the fact that the NFL’s sack leader, Vic Beasley, is on the on the defense, the Falcons have a legitimate chance to advance to the championship round.

In the other offensive huddle is Russell Wilson. Wilson has already led Seattle to one Super Bowl in the past, and there is no doubt that he can do it again. The young weapons are there for Wilson to go to with the likes of Jimmy Graham and Doug Baldwin, among others. And contrary to what some people have been saying, the self proclaimed “Legion of Boom” is alive and well. Seattle’s defense finished sixth overall this year.

Predicted Winner: Seattle

This game really should be a great one, but the pick is Seattle for now. Matt Ryan and the Falcons have yet to prove that they can get it done in the playoffs quite yet. Seattle is still a huge threat in not only the NFC, but in the whole league. As much of a push this one may be, the Seahawks can definitely pull this one off.

NFC – Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys

In perhaps what could be the NFL’s most intriguing game of the week, the Packers and Cowboys will go at it in a rematch of the divisional playoff game just two short years ago. It was that game in which the infamous Dez Bryant moment took place. It appeared that he had caught the ball in what would have ensured a Dallas victory, but the officials ruled it incomplete, sending the Packers to the championship round. This year, the story is different. With the emerging rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys have the best chance in recent memory to make a Super Bowl run. And with the best offensive line and one of the best defenses in the league, it is quite possible that they could be on their way to the championship round.

A very dangerous team awaits the Cowboys though. The Green Bay Packers have been on fire throughout the last half of the season. Aaron Rodgers is looking like an MVP once again, and the defense has been quite capable themselves, finishing eighth in the league. One obstacle stands in their way though. Star receiver Jordy Nelson could be out this week. That would be a huge blow to the passing game that has become all too important for the Packers. However, there are many depth receivers for Green Bay that can step up and put the team on their back.

Predicted Winner: Green Bay

Dallas is quite the team this year, but their two best playmakers are just rookies. This hasn’t stopped players and teams from going deep in the playoffs before, but that fact and the fact that the Cowboys haven’t really been all that great in the playoffs in recent memory. Another thing, it’s hard to bet against an Aaron Rodgers led team in the playoffs. The guy knows how to win. And even though they’re on the road, the Packers can very well get the job done against “America’s Team.”

AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs

This is definitely one of the more difficult matchups to pick a winner in. Although the Steelers routed the Chiefs in a 43-14 win earlier in the season, that game was when Kansas City turned their season around. Alex Smith emerged as a legitimate top level quarterback, and some key role players became stars, mainly tight end Travis Kelce. Their downfall would be their defense. Although there are some good players, such as Marcus Peters and Dontari Poe, they have yet to come together as a formidable unit this year.

The Steelers have been as hot as ever in the tail end of the year. Coming off of eight straight wins, the offense has been dominate. Whether it is Ben, Brown, or Bell getting the job done, the Killer B’s always find ways to put points on the board. The offensive line has also been a key component to the success of the team. The defense has also stepped up in the second half of the year, becoming ranked in the top ten teams. This is a team that has one of the best chances to win the Lombardi trophy this year.

Predicted Winner: Pittsburgh

As good as the Chiefs have been, the Steelers have been better. Their offense has just been unstoppable and their defense looks like the old Steel Curtain again. Despite them being on the road, they can get the job done and move on to the AFC Championship ga