NFL postseason action continues this weekend. These are the top storylines.
The Kansas City Chiefs are rolling. Fresh off their first playoff victory since 1994. The New England Patriots are nearly unbeaten at home but have looked The Patriots are reeling. Will it matter Saturday?
Key Injuries:
Rob Gronkowski, TE, NE (knee) – He missed practice time this week, but returned on Friday. He’s listed as questionable heading into Saturday afternoon’s game.
Julian Edelman, WR, NE (foot)
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Chiefs (high ankle sprain)
The 13-3 Arizona Cardinals will host the Green Bay Packers. Veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald has a new role playing in the slot. It’s produced one of his best seasons ever. Can they turn it up over Aaron Rodgers and the Packers?
The Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers have both watched their young quarterbacks,Russell Wilson and Cam Newton, raise the bar this season. The Panthers went on an amazing 15-1 run this season. Some believe that loss was just to get it out of the way before the Super Bowl. Seattle didn’t look like champs last weekend but their last-second escape from Minnesota means the Panthers have some things to be worried about.
key injuries:
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks (abdomen) … He was a full participant in practice this week and declared himself ready for Seattle’s game in Carolina.
Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Broncos defense is what will get them through. The Denver Broncos are a team that has been uneven all season and faced a quarterback controversy with vet Peyton Manning a bad season. Offense is a problem for the Broncos but the Steelers have injury problems
Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers (head injury) – Won’t play after suffering a concussion from a hit by Bengals’ Vontaze Burfict during the wild card match up.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers (shoulder) – Roethlisberger is listed as questionable with multiple issues in his throwing shoulder, but he’ll be on the field. How effective, we’ll see.
Saturday, Jan. 16
AFC Divisional Round Game 1:
Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots, 4:35 p.m., CBS
NFC Divisional Round Game 1:
Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m., NBC
Sunday, Jan. 17
NFC Divisional Round Game 2:
Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:05 p.m., FOX
AFC Divisional Round Game 2:
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos, 4:40 p.m., CBS
photos via @NFL
