DIVISIONAL ROUND SATURDAY: QUICK REACTION

It was a day that went according to plan- or at least the oddsmakers plan. Both Atlanta (-5) and New England (-16) won their games and covered the spread, although one in more emphatic fashion than the other.

The day's first game featured defensive powerhouse Seattle and the high powered Falcons in a game where one had to give. On the games first drive, the Seahawks marched right down the field and into the end zone for a quick 7-0 lead. From then on out, it was all Atlanta. MVP frontrunner Matt Ryan threw three touchdowns en route to a 36-20 win. The Falcons thoroughly dominated the Seahawks for the better part of three quarters, and will be a tough task for whoever they play next. Location of the NFC Championship game (either Dallas or Atlanta, if Green Bay wins) will likely decide the winner.

The second game of the night was closer than everyone thought. The Texans stuck around for much longer than expected, and probably would have had a legitimate shot if anyone BUT Mr. 17 million dollars himself was playing quarterback for them. Brock threw three interceptions, allowing the Patriots to run away to a 34-16 victory. Tom Brady was not as sharp as Patriot fans would have liked- part of that being due to being harassed by a fantastic Texan defensive line- but look for that to be a different story next week.

So far, the divisional round has yet to shock anyone. However, both games today were entertaining and it will only get better with two great games tomorrow. Look for a shootout in Big D tomorrow afternoon followed by a heavyweight battle in Kansas City.