NFL Playoff Picks 2016: Odds, Divisional-Round Predictions and More

After a crazy weekend of Wild Card Round games, the divisional-round playoffs should provide drama once again for NFL fans across the country.

The old adage "defense wins championships" rings true in the postseason this year, as six of the eight remaining teams rank in the top 10 in terms of points allowed per game.

However, these playoff teams can also score. Not only do six rank in the top 10 in scoring this year, the top five are still alive as they fight for a spot in Super Bowl 50.

Let's take a look at the remaining schedule, Super Bowl odds for the eight remaining teams and predictions for the four games.

Team	Odds
Arizona Cardinals	+425
New England Patriots	+450
Carolina Panthers	+500
Seattle Seahawks	+550
Denver Broncos	+550
Kansas City Chiefs	+900
Green Bay Packers	+1200
Pittsburgh Steelers	+1200

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots (-5)

It seems crazy to think the Kansas City Chiefs, a team with a winless playoff streak old enough to drink until they beat the Houston Texans last week, could go into Gillette Stadium and win a postseason game against the New England Patriots—but it can happen.

Just ask ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, who are among those who believe in quarterback Alex Smith and Kansas City:

Third-year head coach Andy Reid has his team believing as well, and its current 11-game win streak should at least catch the attention of doubters.

The Patriots, who Friday listed quarterback Tom Brady as probable and tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman as questionable, have questions on the offensive line and in the backfield—something you want to avoid when playing a Chiefs defense allowing just 17.9 points per game.

Kansas City could be without wider receiver Jeremy Maclin and Pro Bowl linebacker Justin Houston, as they are game-time decisions. Even if they sit, the Chiefs have proven they can win with backups, going 11-1 without starting running back Jamaal Charles and playing without Houston and linebacker Tamba Hali for a combined six games.

It won't be easy, but look for the Chiefs defense to help pull out a win over New England. And if the chips fall right (the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Denver Broncos), Arrowhead Stadium may be hosting its first AFC Championship game.

Prediction: Kansas City wins, 24-20.

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals (-7)

The spread on this should be closer to 17.

OK, so that would be crazy. But all signs point to this game being a blowout. It might not be of the 30-point variety the Arizona Cardinals pulled on the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, but the home team wins this one handily.

Playing in its favor is the second-best offense in the NFL, a solid defense that allowed the team to have the second-best point differential in the league and home-field advantage.

Rank	Team	Points Scored	Points Allowed	Point Differntial
1	Carolina Panthers	31.3	19.3	12.0
2	Arizona Cardinals	30.6	19.6	11.0
3	New England Patriots	29.1	19.7	9.4
4	Seattle Seahawks	26.4	17.3	9.1
5	Cincinnati Bengals	26.2	17.4	8.8

The Packers saved up their offensive magic in a 35-18 victory against Washington in the Wild Card Round—their most points since a Week 3 win against Kansas City—but don't expect a showing like that Saturday.

Quarterback Carson Palmer has too many weapons through the air (Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Michael Floyd) and in the backfield (David Johnson) to lose a big game at home to a team that is ultrareliant on its quarterback playing at an extremely high level.

Prediction: Arizona wins, 34-21. 

Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers (-1.5)

Running back Marshawn Lynch should be back for this game after missing last week's playoff matchup against the Minnesota Vikings with an injury. But will it make a difference?

The 29-year-old, while battling injuries all season, broke the century mark once on the ground this year and averaged just 3.8 yards per carry. Of course the postseason is a new slate, and the veteran was sporting a playoff record, prior to last weekend, that no other active running back can match, per NFL on ESPN:

Lynch's quarterback Russell Wilson has been as hot as any in the NFL the second half of the season, tossing 24 touchdowns to just one interception his final seven games.

All that being said, the Carolina Panthers are winning this game. Their quarterback, Cam Newton, most likely will win the MVP Award after a season that saw him throw for 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns while rushing for another 636 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Refer to the earlier chart of point differential, and you'll see the Panthers at the top of the list. Throw in home-field advantage, as well as the fact the Panthers have lost their last three (Newton played in two of them) divisional-round playoff games. It's time for Carolina to step up and win a big game.

Newton will make that happen.

Prediction: Carolina wins, 22-16.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos (-2.5)

The Denver Broncos had one of the best defenses in the NFL this year, recording a league-high 52 sacks and tied for the league lead with four defensive touchdowns and 25 forced fumbles. The last thing you want to do is not be at full strength when playing them.

However, that's exactly what the Pittsburgh Steelers will be doing.

Wide receiver Antonio Brown, widely regarded as one of the most explosive and talented pass-catchers in the game, has been ruled out after suffering a concussion in last week's win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is questionable (which is amazing enough in itself) with a separated throwing shoulder, and starting running back DeAngelo Williams has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

If that's not enough to raise red flags when trying to predict the outcome of this game, then you must be a die-hard Steelers fan. Of course, Pittsburgh already defied the odds last week, winning a road game it should not have.

But to do it again on the road against a defense such as Denver's is asking too much.

Head coach Mike Tomlin's squad is gritty enough to keep this one close, but the Broncos defense will make a big play—like it has all season—to win this game and help Denver to host the AFC Championship game against its bitter rivals in the Kansas City Chiefs.

Prediction: Denver wins, 17-13.

Betting information courtesy of Odds Shark.