Game: San Diego @ Cincinnati

Preview: The 11-5 Bangles are playing  host to the 9-7 Chargers this after noon at Paul Brown Stadium. . Quarterback Philip Rivers has the quickest release in the NFL and he used it to complete 69.5 percent of his passes for 4,478 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The San Diego Chargers barely squeaked by into the playoffs this year needing help from the Jets and the Bengals along with the officials to beat the Chiefs in week 17 and snag the sixth seed in the AFC Playoffs. 

 Phillip Rivers clashed with the Cincinnati defense already this season on December 1^st in San Diego with the Bengals winning 17-10.  The score was tied at seven all at the half but the Bengals controlled the second half The Chargers turned the ball over three times in the loss while the Bengals turned the ball over twice. The key to winning today is for Rivers to keep composure in the second half of the game. 

Other key players for the Chargers consists of Ryan Mathews having his best season yet rushing for 1,255 yards and Danny Woodhead rushed for 429 yards and had 76 receptions. Antonio Gates stayed healthy and had 77 receptions and Keenan Allen had 71 receptions for 1,046 yards. The Chargers offense averaged 24.8 points and a fifth best in the NFL 393.3 yards per game and they were 4^th in the NFL In passing yards at 270.5 per game. Eric Weddle led the Chargers defense with 115 tackles, Donald Butler had 84 tackles, and Marcus Gilchrist had 77 tackles. The Chargers defense allowed 21.8 points and 366.5 yards per game.

Andy Dalton has led the Bengals to a 11-5 season record along with a undefeated home record of 8-0. Dalton so far has thrown for 4,170 yards and 33 touchdowns on the season, both of which being record setting stats for this young QB. 

Young Players also play a key role in this Bengals team like Rookie running back Giovani Bernard gave the Bengals a new dimension, piling up 1,209 yards on runs and catches, the second-most by a rookie in team history. Rookie tight end Tyler Eifert was sixth on the team in receiving with 39 catches for 445 yards. Burfict, a second-year player, led the team in tackles. Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who missed most of his rookie season in 2012 because of injury, moved into a starting role late in the season because of injuries but Kirkpatrick bounced back having a pair of interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, during a 34-17 win over the Ravens in their last regular season game. 

Spread: Cincinnati (-6.5)

Prediction: This game does not resemble freezer bowl conditions, but the threat of freezing rain/snow will not be ideal for the Bengals and Chargers creating a low scoring game. The advantage goes to the Bengals who are home grown in these conditions also with a talented Andy Dalton. The Bengals will prevail with a final of 21-20.

Injury Report:

CHARGERS: 

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Game Status
Lissemore, Sean	DE-DT	Shoulder	LP	LP	-	-
Matthew, Ryan	RB	Ankle	DNP	DNP	-	-
Reyes, Kendal	DE	Ankle	DNP	DNP	-	-

BENGALS:

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Game Status
Collins, Anthony	T	Ankle	DNP	DNP	-	-
Cook, Kyle	C	Foot	DNP	LP	-	-
Crocker, Chris	S	Knee	-	LP	-	-
Eifert, Tyler	TE	Kneck	DNP	LP	-	-
Gilberry, Wallace	DE	Concussion	DNP	LP	-	-
Green, A.J	WR	Knee	DNP	LP	-	-

Game: New Orleans @ Philadelphia

 

Preview: The 10-6 Eagles are hosting the 11-5 Saints tonight at Lincoln Financial Field in a freezing 29 degree weather forecast. Quarterback Nick Foles is trying to guide the Eagles to their fifth straight home win to make them 4-1 in their last five playoff games at Lincoln Financial Field. If the Saints win this game, it will be their first road win in the post season in franchise history.

Nick Foles took the starting quarterback role when Michael Vick suffered a hamstring injury against the Giants. With Foles being their starting quarterback, he finished his regular season bringing the Eagles record to 10-6 and he recorded 2,891 yards and 27 touchdowns. Foles led the Eagles to the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season.

The Eagles have two offensive threats. LeSean McCoy, who topped the NFL with 1,607 rushing yards while receiving 52 passes for 539 yards for a league-best 2,146 total yards. The other offensive threat is DeSean Jackson who caught 82 passes for 1,332 yards. Both of those players recorded 9 touchdowns.

Drew Brees has led the Saints to a 11-5 season record. Brees recorded 5,162 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Brees throws to Tight End Jimmy Graham the most. Graham recorded 1,215 yards and an NFL-best 16 touchdowns off of 86 receptions. The Saints team season leader for rushing is Pierre Thomas who recorded only 549 yards and 2 touchdowns off of 147 carries. With Foles and Brees both having high statistics, this will definitely be a shoot-out between them two.

Spread: Philadelphia -3

Prediction: This will definitely be a higher scoring game. You have two good quarterbacks who love to throw the ball. This will be a shoot-out to the very end. Eagles 31 Saints 28

Injury Report:

SAINTS:

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Game Status
Bush, Rafael	S	Ankle	DNP	LP	FP	probable
Dawson, Keyunta	OLB	Calf	-	-	DNP	questionable
Thomas, Pierre	RB	Chest	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out

EAGLES:

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Game Status
Anderson, Colt	S	Knee	FP	FP	FP	probable
Avant, Jason	WR	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	probable
Boykin, Brandon	CB	Hip	FP	FP	FP	probable
Kendricks, Mychal	LB	Knee	FP	FP	FP	probable
Vandervelde, Julian	C	Back	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Wolff, Earl	S	Knee	DNP	FP	FP	questionable

Game: Kansas City @ Indianapolis

 

Preview: Alex Smith and the Chiefs visit Lucas Oil Stadium to take on Andrew Luck and the Colts in an AFC wild-card game. Coming into this week, the Colts have a 3-game win streak along with a 23-7 victory at Kansas City on December 22nd. The Chiefs on the other hand, they are coming into this week with two straight losses and looking to break a 7-game playoff losing streak.

The Colts are 11-5 and have only allowed 20 points in the last three games including the 23-7 victory at Kansas City.

The Colts are really hoping to have a hot streak to take them a distance in the playoffs. "I think if you check the last 6 Super Bowl winners, they got hot at the right time," Indianapolis defensive end Robert Mathis said. "That's what it's all about, getting hot at the right time."

A player to watch during today's contest is Wide Receiver T.Y. Hilton, who recorded 82 receptions, 1,083 yards, and 5 touchdowns after taking over for Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne who had a season ending injury (ACL) in week 7 against the Broncos.

The Chiefs are 11-5 and have lost two in a row. In week 17 they expect a few players to return as they look forward to break this 7-game playoff losing streak. The players expecting to return are Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe (Concussion), Linebacker Justin Houston (dislocated elbow) and Left Tackle Braden Albert (hyperextended knee).

"It's the start of a new season, that's how the playoffs work," Reid said. "You're in the dance, as they say. It's another phase of the season. You've worked very hard as a team to get into this position. Now it's important that you exhaust yourself to make sure you're right."

A player to watch for Kansas City is running back Jamaal Charles. He recorded 259 carries, 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he also is the season leader in receptions for Kansas City with 70 receptions, 693 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Spread: Pk

Prediction: I would have to take a Colts victory over the Chiefs, 24-17. The Chiefs' biggest threat is Jamaal Charles. If the Colts can shut him down, they would hold the Chiefs to little points.

Injury Report:

Chiefs

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Game Status
Albert, Branden	T	Knee	FP	FP	FP	probable
Bowe, Dwayne	WR	Concussion	FP	FP	FP	probable
Fisher, Eric	OT	Groin/Shoulder	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Hali, Tamba	LB	Knee	DNP	DNP	LP	questionable
Houston, Justin	LB	Elbow	FP	FP	FP	probable
Kush, Eric	OL	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	probable
Parker, Ron	DB	Finger/Ankle	FP	FP	FP	probable

Colts

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Game Status
Brown, Sergio	FS	Groin	FP	FP	FP	probable
Butler, Darius	CB	Quad	FP	FP	FP	probable
Davis, Vontae	CB	Groin	FP	FP	FP	probable
Franklin, Aubrayo	NT	Knee	DNP	FP	FP	questionable
Heyward-Bey, Darrius	WR	Hamstring	LP	FP	FP	probable
Jean Francois, Ricky	DT	Foot	FP	FP	FP	probable
Mathis, Robert	OLB	Rest	FP	FP	FP	probable
McGlynn, Mike	G/C	Elbow	FP	FP	FP	probable
Moala, Fili	DE	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	questionable
Redding, Cory	DE	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	probable
Toler, Greg	CB	Groin	FP	FP	FP	probable
Werner, Bjoern	OLB	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	probable

Re-Opening: Brandon Sweeney Fan Page

Greetings NFL Fans and may I say, Happy New Year! I am very excited to tell all of my supporters and fans that Pro Football Hotline is now back up and running. I missed PFH very much and excited for what 2014 will hold.

I am opening PFH to be my personal fan page where I will post important updates, news, and other things containing the National Football League. This should be a great place for little tidbits and news around the NFL.

I am also excited to announce I will be creating a podcast and a YouTube channel. Both will debut in 2014 and will be weekly. More information on this will be posted soon.

Lastly, Pro Football Hotline is now looking for inspired writers. For the ones who are ready to get their start in NFL journalism, this is your place and we are looking for you. Everyone deserves their start and PFH will supply that for you.

I would be nothing if it was not for Pro Football Hotline. I have interviewed NFL players, agents, and insiders on this very blog and I know this very page has made dreams come true. So get ready everybody, because PFH is back on the scene! I encourage you to Follow me on my new Twitter @SweeneyRant and Like my Facebook Page.