PACKERS (11-6) at COWBOYS (13-3), 4:40 p.m.
Outlook: It’s hot-as-Hades Aaron Rodgers for the Packers vs. super-rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott for the Cowboys. It’s a storied Green Bay franchise with more NFL championships than anybody visiting a Dallas club seeking its first Super Bowl invite in 21 years and trying to reclaim its “America’s Team” heft. Delicious! It also is the eighth postseason meeting between these teams, with the Cowboys up 4-3, but Green Bay having won the most recent meeting in 2014. Dallas handled Green Bay in Week 6, winning 30-16 at Lambeau Field, but the Packers roll in sizzling with seven consecutive wins by a combined 223-125, and Rodgers is 18-0 on TD/picks in that run. I trust Rodgers – a lot – and an outright upset would not surprise, especially if Jordy Nelson (ribs) is playing. Did I mention Jason Garrett is 1-4 vs. Green Bay? I still like Dallas, healthier than it’s been all year and at home. But Green Bay should keep it close.
Television: FOX
Prediction: Cowboys, 27-24
STEELERS (12-5) at CHIEFS (12-4), 8:20 p.m.
Outlook: The Steelers clobbered the Chiefs 43-14 in Week 4, the low point of Kansas City’s season. I know it’s tough to beat a quality team twice in one season, and the Chiefs will enjoy the revenge edge along with home field, just as Pittsburgh owned both vs. Miami last week. But the team I just saw handle the Dolphins is good enough to solve a very strong KC defense and move on. Give me swashbuckling Ben Roethlisberger over safe-guy Alex Smith. I also think Le’Veon Bell will be a huge factor, although expected wintry rain could be a joker in the deck. Another key will be Pittsburgh’s defense vs. TE Travis Kelce, and its special teams containing KC’s electric Tyreek Hill. I trust recent history. The Steelers are playoff-proven. KC, by contrast, is 1-8 in the postseason since last reaching the AFC title game in 1993.
Television: NBC
Prediction: Steelers, 24-20
– By Greg Cote, Miami Herald (Last week 3-1, season 159-95-2)
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