NFL Divisional Round predictions

#2 Tennessee Titans @ New England Patriots

Well, before Wild Card Weekend, I wasn't expecting to be involving the Titans in this article. But at halftime with the scoreline at 21-3 in favour of the Chiefs, I was absolutely convinced they were already eliminated.

There was not a single aspect of this game that allowed you to think the Titans would overcome the odds. Then Marcus Mariota completed that touchdown pass to himself (yes, you read that correctly) and suddenly it turned into an entirely different ball game.

If the Titans are to survive this trip to Foxborough, they will need more than just lady luck on their side. Second-year running back Derrick Henry will have to perform at a similar level he did at Arrowhead, where he rushed for 156 yards on 23 carries.

Additionally, Mariota will have to elevate his play from "solid" to "elite" within a week and the defence will have to show up on every single snap - then, when all of this comes together, luck may be the factor that could tilt the match-up in their favour.

The Patriots, on the other hand, will be looking forward to seeing the Titans rather than the Chiefs enter Gillette Stadium. With the Chiefs already having beaten them once in Foxborough this season, the Titans are unlikely to provide the explosive threat that conquered the champions.

Coming off the bye-week, the Patriots will be feeling fresh and ready to start their next Super Bowl run. Frankly, it would take a miracle for the Titans to defeat the Patriots and move on to the next round.

Belichick's team hasn't lost a home game in the playoffs since the 2012 Championship Round (13-28 vs the Ravens) and with Tom Brady coming off yet another MVP-caliber season will be unlikely to so against the surprise package of the AFC.

Prediction: Patriots win 34-13