NFL Playoffs 2018: Divisional-Round Schedule and Predictions

The Philadelphia Eagles were the best team in the NFC for the majority of the 2017 regular season.

However, their offense came to a screeching halt in the final two regular-season games against the Oakland Raiders (a victory) and the Dallas Cowboys (a shutout loss). Can the Eagles get it back together with backup quarterback Nick Foles at the helm?

That's the question head coach Doug Pederson, the Eagles and Philadelphia fans are asking themselves as they prepare for Saturday's divisional playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Eagles are the top seed in the NFC playoffs, while the Falcons earned their spot in the postseason as the No. 6 seed. Nevertheless, the Falcons are three-point road favorites over the Eagles, according to OddsShark.

The Falcons are loaded with offensive skill players, and if Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones are operating at peak efficiency while the Philadelphia offense can't get out of its own way, it will be almost impossible for the Eagles to win.

However, the Falcons have more to offer than just their superstars. Tevin Coleman is nearly as good as Freeman in the backfield, while Mohamed Sanu is an excellent complementary receiver.

Even if the Eagles show some improvement from the way they played in the final two weeks of the season, it will be difficult to keep up with the Falcons.

The Atlanta defense is coming off a strong effort in their 26-13 wild-card win over the Los Angeles Rams, as they limited Jared Goff and Todd Gurley.

That means the Falcons should have plenty of confidence against a team that is trying to keep its season from falling apart.

If Atlanta gets an early lead it's going to be tough for the Eagles to play catch-up. Atlanta appears to be the better team at this time, and the Falcons are the selection to go to the NFC Championship Game.

Divisional-Round Weekend

Game: Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles

Date and Time: Saturday, January 13, at 4:35 p.m. ET 

TV: NBC

Odds: Atlanta (-3), O/U 41

Predicted score: Atlanta 31, Philadelphia 17

Game: Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots

Date and Time: Saturday, January 13, at 8:15 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Odds: New England (-13) O/U 47

Predicted score: New England 33, Tennessee 10

Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers

Date and Time: Sunday, January 14, at 1:05 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Odds: Pittsburgh (-7.5) O/U 41

Predicted score: Pittsburgh 27, Jacksonville 13

Game: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings

Date and Time: Sunday, January 14, at 4:40 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

Odds: Minnesota (-4) O/U 45.5

Predicted score: Minnesota 28, New Orleans 21

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Jaguars had the homefield advantage over the Buffalo Bills and secured a 10-3 win in the wild-card game.

While the Jaguars won the AFC South and have shown significant improvement this year, their offense is not on par with the Steelers. The Jaguars rank 16th in passing offense, and they don't have the weapons in the passing game to challenge the Steelers.

The Jaguars defeated the Steelers when the teams met in Pittsburgh in Week 5. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw five interceptions in that game, and while the Jaguars have the second-ranked defense in the league, that kind of game is not likely to happen again with so much on the line.

If the Steelers win, they will be playing in the AFC title game, most likely against the New England Patriots. That's the matchup the league and most fans have been waiting to see, and with Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown making plays, it will be difficult for the Jaguars to hold this unit in check. 

Brown returned to practice Monday from the calf injury he suffered in Week 15 against New England. If he can play effectively in this game, it's difficult to see the Jaguars staying competitive.

Look for the Steelers to handle the Jaguars, and win by at least double digits.