After a grueling 17 week journey, only twelve teams remain. From 15-1 Carolina to 9-7 Houston, it is now anyone’s shot to take home a big one and lead the team to glory. It’s where dreams become reality, and reality becomes a nightmare. So who will earn the coveted Vince Lombardi trophy and take it back home? Our own NFL experts look into their magic crystal ball to find out.

Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans
Kee: On paper, this matchup seems like a slobbering defensive battle between J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Co. against Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and the rest of the gang, and it will exactly just be that. With neither team setting the world on fire on the offensive side, expect a low-scoring, gritty battle between the frontlines. Problem with this game is that neither team has been truly bested a contender in recent memories. Kansas City started the season 1-5, then finished 10-0 against the teams like Detroit, San Diego, and Cleveland. Houston, on the other hand, went 5-1 within its awful division, while going 4-6 against the teams outside the AFC South. So why am I going against one of the “hottest” team in the league for the team that is led by Brian Hoyer/Ryan Mallett? Two words: DeAndre Hopkins. Alex Smith is a very solid quarterback, Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware have exceeded expectations, and Jeremy Maclin has continued his breakout season from last year. However, Houston has the star player that can put the team on his back. Hopkins can go up against any cornerback in the league and he will go get the ball for the quarterback. Hopkins’s playmaking ability gives the AFC South champs the edge.
Prediction: 16-13 Houston

Ryan: Just like in week one of the regular season, the Kansas City Chiefs will come out on top in this one. Despite DeAndre Hopkins’s breakout year and J.J. Watt, who seemingly could play any position on the field, it comes down to depth. The Texans offense is pitiful besides Hopkins and I can’t see Brian Hoyer and Alfred Blue getting the job done in this one if the Chiefs find an answer for the Clemson product. Without a doubt this streaking Kansas City squad with Smith at the helm will pull this one out with ease.
Prediction: 24-17 Kansas City

Dante’: The Chiefs have a 10-0 winning streak coming into the playoffs and that did not happen by accident. The Kansas City defense has been solid with a “bend but don’t break” philosophy and that has boded well for them thus far. The major difference with both teams right now is at the quarterback position. Alex Smith has playoff experience, while Brian Hoyer does not.The Texans just don’t have enough weapons to put the ball in the endzone. Alex Smith, with a solid running game, receivers to throw the ball to, and a solid defense, has proven to be a winning quarterback. Case Closed.
Prediction: 31-10 Kansas City

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Kee: The division rivals go head-to-head for the last time this season, and it’s not just for the bragging rights. There are plenty of animosity between two teams, and the pre-game scuffles have been so prevalent that the NFL had to give each team a warning few days ago. Heck, Vontaze Burfict straight up said that he hates the Steelers. There is some bad blood between the teams and it’s just getting started. Unfortunately, the injuries have been headlining this matchup. After Le’Veon Bell suffered a gruesome injury against, guess who, the Bengals, DeAngelo Williams has filled in admirably for the fallen stud. Now, it’s Williams whose status for the game is in jeopardy, and Pittsburgh has to turn to Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman. Even though the Steelers were a pass-heavy team to begin with, they have become way too predictable. On the other hand, Cincinnati is most likely without their ginger gunslinger, Andy Dalton. The former TCU standout has had an excellent season before going down with the injury, and now the AFC North champs have to rely on AJ McCarron, who has had only one career start before Saturday’s game. The problem for Cincinnati is that Pittsburgh has proven that they can put numbers on the board through the air. The Bengals have struggled to score without Dalton. Despite the leaky secondary, Pittsburgh will prevail in a tightly-contested game.
Prediction: 27-21 Pittsburgh

Ryan: Unfortunately for the 12-4 Cincinnati Bengals, they have this awful playoff luck. They are 0-6 in their past six appearances and do I think they will get their first win in the playoffs since 1990 this year? No. It certainly doesn’t help that they are playing their division rival Pittsburgh Steelers with one of the best offenses in the league either. “Big” Ben Roethlisberger will be gunslinging in Cincy on saturday and he has plenty of options, the best receiver in the league Antonio Brown, the giant target in Martavis Bryant, or old reliable Heath Miller and despite the lack of running game with Bell and Williams both out this might be a blowout with Andy Dalton most likely still sitting out for the Bengals. I don’t even think North Penn would start AJ McCarron, so good to the Bengals for trying to keep up with the fast-paced Steel City.
Prediction: 31-24 Pittsburgh

Dante’: Even though Andy Dalton has been out the past few weeks, you wouldn’t be able to tell by the play of A.J McCarron. He’s kept the offense afloat and at times has even moved the offense better than Dalton has. The defense, however has really been the key, especially generating turnovers and putting points on the board. On the other hand, their defense has shown that they can be vulnerable to an effective passing attack. That is what the Pittsburgh Steelers have, and will have to rely on due to Pro Bowl running back De’Angelo Williams being ruled out. Martavis Bryant and Antonio Brown will have to do the heavy lifting and keep the chains moving for the offense come Saturday. Those two will be the key to a Steelers victory, and a seventh playoff loss for the Bengals and Marvin Lewis, who will likely be looking for another job in the offseason.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 28-24

Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings
Kee: Seattle may be the best No. 6 team in a while. Russell Wilson has been playing like a legitimate MVP candidate, throwing three or more TDs in his last six of seven games. Even though Thomas Rawls has been ruled out, Marshawn Lynch is expected to be back and rested, eager to feed the Beast Mode. Doug Baldwin has emerged as a No. 1 option in the passing game without a doubt. Throw in Tyler Lockett, a duel threat as a potent returner and a speedy receiver, and they may have the best offense in the league. The resurgence of Legion of Boom has made this team a serious contender. This should be a walkover for Seattle, but one thing stands in its way. It’s not Adrian Peterson or Teddy Bridgewater or Stefon Diggs. It’s the weather. Minnesota’s first home playoff game in 39 years could be one of the coldest games in the history, with the high of 1 degree. Seattle’s last loss of the season? Against St. Louis, in the rain. Perhaps the weather will hinder the Seahawks’ offensive momentum, but not enough for Minnesota to grab the victory.
Prediction: 23-13 Seattle

Ryan: If I ever have the opportunity to meet Mike Zimmer I’m going to ask him if it was really worth defeating the Packers and winning the division. If they lost that game against Green Bay and went into the wild card spot, the Vikings would be facing the Washington Redskins. Unfortunately for the Vikings they will now be playing the Seattle Seahawks who have had back to back Super Bowl appearances. Do I think this will be even close? Not at all. Again, unfortunately for the Vikings they will have to face the Legion of Boom, a healthy Beastmode, oh and the dynamic duo of Doug Baldwin who caught 8 touchdowns in the last five games of the season and Dangeruss Wilson.
Prediction: 31-13 Seattle

Dante’: The Vikings win over Green Bay could prove to be a momentum booster for the team against the two time defending NFC Champions. Look for a Vikings offense that comes out firing on all cylinders from the opening kickoff. However, their spark will burn out by the second quarter as they play a team with playoff experience, who is looking to get back to the place where they were one yard away from winning another championship: the Super Bowl. The Seahawks are on a mission and with Russell Wilson playing his best football at the right time of the season going into the playoffs, the offense will be putting up points in bunches. Not to mention, the man they call “Beast Mode” Marshawn Lynch, will likely suit up and run through wimpy tacklers at ease. Also, the defense of Seattle, who will likely stack the box with seven or eight bodies to stop the monster that is Adrian Peterson, will lock down the receivers, stop the running game, and out physical the Vikings offense in every aspect, especially in the trenches. The most physical team always wins in the end and that is Seattle.
Prediction: 45-14 Seattle

Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins
Kee: After an unfortunate loss against Minnesota, Green Bay now has to face the feel-good story of the season, Washington. If this was six month ago, everyone would have picked the Packers without a doubt. However, the tables have turned, and it’s anyone’s guess to see who’s going to move on to the next round. Yes, Green Bay still has Aaron Rodgers. But that is pretty much it. Their run games with Eddie Lacy and James Stark have been inconsistent at best, Randall Cobb proved that he can not carry the team’s offensive load as a slot receiver, James Jones has lost much speed and physicality, and Richard Rogers may come in handy in Hail Marys. Their offensive line is an absolute mess and their defense simply could not generate turnovers like they used to. Meanwhile, Washington has what seems to be a solution in quarterback for a while, Kirk Cousins. They have rested DeSean Jackson to be their top receiver and return man. Most importantly, their secondary has improved from last years’ horrific campaign. Green Bay’s receivers simply take too long to get open, and with the combination of Aaron Rodger’s reluctance to force the ball and Washington’s ability to rush the quarterback, it spells disaster. You Like That?!
Prediction: 24-21 Washington

Ryan: R-E-L-A-X Packers fans. Even though Green Bay ended the season on a skid, losing the division was the best thing they could’ve done because now they get to feast upon the Washington Redskins. Aaron Rodgers will find a way to win like he always does, despite these offensive setbacks and the defense has been doing very well lately. Washington stands almost no chance against the MVP.
Prediction: 34-10 Green Bay

Dante’: Nobody is talking about the Washington Redskins. Is it for good reason? Possibly. However, at times this season, they have shown that they can be an all-around complete team in all facets of the game. The inconsistency is scary though. I want to root for the Redskins, but I don’t trust their defense, as it has been suspect at points in the season. They cannot run the ball effectively. If they cannot do that, Kirk Cousins will be forced to play out of his realm and chuck the ball downfield while playing from behind. That has not been the formula for success for Washington this season. The Packers have Aaron Rodgers, a Super Bowl winning quarterback, a former NFL MVP, and a future Hall of Famer. That’s all they need. Somehow the Pack will pull it out, but the Redskins could make it competitive.
Prediction: 21-17 Green Bay