Tag: Divisional Round

Playoffs: Pete Carroll ‘adamant’ Seahawks treat every game the same

Despite advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll remains cool and collected, avoiding distractions.

The Seattle Seahawks beat the Philadelphia Eagles over the Wild-Card Weekend and now advance to the divisional round of the postseason, slated to face off against the Packers in Green Bay this Sunday.

Pete Carroll has been to his fair share of playoffs games in his tenure as the head coach of the Seahawks and he’s learned a few things in his 10 years in Seattle.

“The challenge really is the managing the players’ mentality,” Carroll told reporters Wednesday. “That’s the challenge to it. Keeping them balanced and clear thinking and not distracted by all the hoopla at the front of it and all that. There’s such a buildup when you go to each game. Each week is just so much fun because it’s so intense as you move through it that it’s managing that.”

Since he’s been in the Emerald City, Carroll’s squads have made the playoffs eight of the last 10 years, including two trips to the Super Bowl. But with the rookies and some veterans who have never experienced the postseason, Carroll is insistent the team prepares like any other week.

“That’s why I’m so adamant that we treat every game the same and we try to learn how to discipline our focus so that we don’t get distracted by the natural things that you guys all think should distract us; the matchups, the hype, the buildup,” Carroll continued. “Whatever it is. How many times we’ve won, and they’ve won or whatever in years past. All that stuff, it doesn’t mean anything at all. Sorry. That’s the biggest thing I’ve dealt with and to try to manage everybody well, coaches, too, so we don’t screw it up and get unlike ourselves and play unlikely fashion.

“That’s what we don’t want to do – we want to play like we know how to.”

So while the hype might be real for the fans, it’s business as usual for Carroll and his Seahawks.

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Seahawks preparing for cold in Green Bay but have won in worse weather

The Seattle Seahawks are attempting to replicate the frigid temperatures of Green Bay before facing the Packers in the divisional round.

Much ado has been made about playing late in the season Green Bay, which often features some of the worst weather of all NFL venues. From snow to bitterly cold temperatures, anything is possible at Lambeau Field.

The Seahawks advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs after beating the Eagles and the matchups have been set. Seattle will square off against the Packers Sunday afternoon – make that early evening in Wisconsin.

Coach Pete Carroll and the Seahawks are used to wild weather at home, rain often being the case on gamedays in Seattle. Carroll was asked about the forecasted conditions for Green Bay this weekend.

“It looks like it’s going to be about 10 degrees colder than it was the other night, so, big deal,” Carroll said Wednesday. “That’s nothing. It was comfortable the other night. That was fine. It didn’t have any factor at all. If it’s in the twenties or whatever, 29 or 28, where it’s supposed to be, that’s no big deal. But, I’m not going to overlook the factor that the fellas might be thinking. We’ve already started to deal with that. You have to be very disciplined about that as well.”

Seattle is going through its own cold snap – with freezing temperatures and light snow possible all week before the Seahawks depart – and Carroll is making the most of the opportunities to replicate the upcoming weather. Plus, the temperature in Green Bay is expected to be downright balmy compared to when the Seahawks faced the Vikings in January 2016 in what proved to be the third-coldest game in NFL history.

“It depends on how the field is – if we can get out, we will,” Carroll explained. “We’re opening it up and blowing the air in to make sure. We’re not going to quite get it to where it’s going to be there. One thing we know that we’ve played in weather 50 degrees colder than it’s going to be.

“We’re really not going to worry about it.”

As of Thursday, the forecast for Sunday in Green Bay is partly sunny skies and 24 degrees. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. PT.

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Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs odds, picks, and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Divisional Round showdown between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, with NFL betting odds, picks and tips

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The Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) host the Houston Texans (10-6) Sunday in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium, where the visiting Texans beat the Chiefs 31-24 back in Week 6. Below, we analyze the Chiefs-Texans sports betting odds and lines, while providing NFL betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Texans at Chiefs: Divisional Round preview, betting trends and notes

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  • The Chiefs have been on a roll, winning six straight games, and covering the spread in each of those contests.
  • The Chiefs went Over the total in their 31-21 win against the Chargers in their regular-season finale, but the Under had hit in each of their five previous five games. During that span, the Kansas City defense surrendered just 9.6 points per game.
  • The total has gone Under in 10 of 17 games for the Texans this season, including each of their last four road games.
  • The Kansas City defense should be able to put some pressure on Texans QB Deshaun Watson. Houston has allowed 16 sacks in their last three games (including seven last week against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round), while the Chiefs have recorded 34 sacks in their last 10 games.
  • Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes shouldn’t have too much trouble moving the ball against a Houston defense that has allowed the fourth-most passing yards on the season.
  • Both defenses rank in the bottom five in yards per rush attempt, as well as receptions and receiving yards to opposing running backs.

Texans at Chiefs: Key injuries

Texans WR Will Fuller (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, and appears to have a strong chance to return to action this weekend.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday, but he should be good to go for Sunday. FS Juan Thornhill is out with a torn ACL suffered in the final game of the regular season.

Texans at Chiefs: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Chiefs 30, Texans 17

Moneyline (?)

The Texans pulled off the upset in Kansas City earlier in the year, and posted a 5-3 record on the road. But they’ll have their hands full this time, as the Chiefs have won six straight, with an average margin of victory of 16.3 points. The Chiefs should win this game, but at -455 on the moneyline, it’s best to AVOID the chalk and target the spread instead.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Chiefs to win the game outright returns a profit of just $2.20.

Against the Spread (?)

The Chiefs lost three straight home games earlier in the year, including one to the Texans, but they have been playing well lately. In their last three games at Arrowhead, they outscored their opponents (Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers) 94-33. The line has gone up a couple points since it opened, but is still in the single digits.

Armed with an explosive offense and improved defense, look for the CHIEFS (-9.5, -110) to get revenge, and win this matchup by 10 ore more points.

Over/Under (?)

The projected total has moved up to 50.5 points, the highest total on the board in the second round. Both teams have been going Under the total a lot lately, and while the loss of Thornhill is a big one, the improved Kansas City defense should be able to prevent this from becoming a shootout. UNDER 50.5 (-106) looks like the side to take.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @RuddHQ and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Divisional round schedule and television guide

We are onto the divisional round and for the first time in a long time, we won’t have the New England Patriots involved. The AFC is filled with future rivalries that we could see multiple times over the next few seasons. The NFC is wide open. This …

We are onto the divisional round and for the first time in a long time, we won’t have the New England Patriots involved. The AFC is filled with future rivalries that we could see multiple times over the next few seasons. The NFC is wide open. This week there will be no ESPN/ABC game. We are set with the CBS, Fox, NBC triumvirate.

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Jadeveon Clowney not practicing fully but expected to play on Sunday

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadveon Clowney has yet to fully practice this week but is expected to play against the Green Bay Packers.

There’s no denying Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has been playing through pain over the last month with a core injury . . . he’s said so himself. But that hasn’t stopped him from making major contributions on the field come gamedays.

“I thought Clowney had a big factor,” coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday. “Just his presence, his activity, it was very much reminiscent of games we’ve seen like the San Francisco game earlier. There’s been a couple of those games when he’s just a problem. Everybody’s still working and all the other guys were clawing and scratching to get there. I think that was the factor that was the difference-maker. He’s a big factor for us and we’re hoping he’s going to be there again.”

But Clowney, who opted to not undergo surgery during the season, hasn’t been able to log much practice time ahead of the recent matchups. He was a limited participant in Wednesday’s session and Carroll said he will be taking it one day at a time.

“It’s about the same as last week,” Carroll explained. “Which is a good sign because he made it.”

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Duane Brown could make his return on Sunday against Packers

The Seattle Seahawks are hoping left tackle Duane Brown (knee) will return for the team’s divisional round matchup against the Packers

The Seattle Seahawks were short three starters on the offensive line on Sunday against the Eagles, with Duane Brown and Mike Iupati joining Justin Britt on the shelf.

The results weren’t pretty, particularly in the run game where the Seahawks only mustered 19 yards on 17 carries between their two backs, Travis Homer and Marshawn Lynch.

Reinforcements might be on their way however, as coach Pete Carroll reported that Brown has begun getting some work in and could make it back in time for Sunday’s game against the Packers.

“Duane did some work yesterday and is doing work again today,” Carroll said before practice on Wednesday. “He won’t practice today, but it’s an encouraging sign about him making his return. So we’ll see what happens. We won’t know until late.”

Brown missed the final two regular season games with a “pissed off knee“, and while the team is taking caution with their veteran tackle, his presence is much needed on Sunday if he is able to go.

Not only is Brown a strong pass and run blocker, he frees up George Fant to play his regular role as the team’s sixth lineman/tight end, which is a crucial part of the team’s run packages.

Brown’s status will be updated throughout the week, and his health will go a long way toward getting Seattle into the NFC championship game for the first time since the 2014 season.

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NFL playoffs: 9 bold predictions for the Divisional round

Eight teams will vie for four spots this weekend as the NFL playoffs head into the Divisional round.

Divisional round games are on tap. Some sweet matchups as eight teams vie for the final four spots on the road to the Super Bowl.

Henry will not rush for 100 yards

Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Henry has been unstoppable, rushing for more than 100 yards in six of his last seven games. The fun run and games stop against Baltimore’s tough defense. Don’t expect the former Heisman winner from Alabama to reach triple figures against the Ravens, who will slow him down.

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How to watch, stream and listen to Seahawks at Packers playoff edition

Everything you need to know to catch the divisional-round action between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

The No. 5 seed Seattle Seahawks hit the road to square off against the NFC’s second-seeded Green Bay Packers this weekend in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Coach Pete Carroll knows just how daunting Lambeau Field can be.

“I don’t think you can connect a fan base with your team any tighter than you can do it there,” Carroll said Monday. “They do a great job of knowing how to be a factor. Then there’s conditions too that go along with it. Early in the year it’s not a big deal, but late in the year the conditions can be a factor that you can’t copy. You just have to adjust when you’re there.”

The weather prediction for Green Bay is actually quite similar to Seattle’s forecast for Sunday – cold with a slight chance of snow. Regardless, the Packers’ faithful will be there in droves.

“Any of those things can become distractions if you let them,” Carroll continued. “The fans can do it, whether it’s snowing or whatever it feels like. All of those things are issues that you’ve got to deal with. I think any issues make it easier for the home team. It’s like playing here. We have our problems that we present them with here. I think it’s a classic place.”

Here’s everything you need to know to catch the divisional-round action this weekend.

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3:40 p.m. PT

WHERE: Lambeau Field

TV: FOX – channel 13 in the Seattle area

RADIO: 710 ESPN Seattle and 97.3 KIRO FM locally, Westwood One has the national broadcast

STREAM: fuboTV (try it now for free)

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A look at Seahawks’ injuries ahead of divisional round in Green Bay

The Seattle Seahawks hope to see the return of a few injured players in time for the divisional round matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

The Seattle Seahawks were able to get by the Philadelphia Eagles and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs despite a number of players battling injuries.

“All in all, we came out pretty clean of the game – pretty healthy,” Coach Pete Carroll told reporters Monday. “Still don’t know about a couple guys. Don’t know about Ziggy [Ansah] right now at this point. Don’t know about the guys that missed the game going forward to this week. I can’t tell you much about those guys until we get into this week, but I’m sure you’ll ask. Going to Green Bay. Here we go.”

Besides Ansah (stinger), Carroll did provide a number of other updates on players who will be monitored this week.

Guard Mike Iupati (neck): “He had a few episodes the week before,” Carroll explained. “Just didn’t quiet down in time. It has quieted down when he’s had the episodes in the past. He’s still symptomatic today. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen this week.”

Tackle Duane Brown (knee/biceps): “I can’t tell you until we get him back out here,” Carroll said. “He’s doing some stuff with the guys right now. I don’t have any updated information for you. We’re trying to see if he can get back.”

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (core): “So far, he’s okay,” Carroll confirmed. “It sounds like, the report I just got is that he’s playing this week. He’ll be alright to make it. We’ll have to manage him throughout the week.”

The Seahawks have an off day Tuesday but return Wednesday to prepare to face the Packers.

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