Can underdogs rule the day again in the AFC? It didn’t take much imagination to believe in underdogs in the Wild Card round in the AFC. Los Angeles and Indianapolis had just as good regular seasons or even better than their opponents last week.

But the divisional round is a much different story. Here’s my best best for the AFC Divisional Round playoffs.

Overall: 50-49-1 ATS

Playoffs: 2-1-1 ATS

Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs (-5)

I like this number.

The Chiefs were a better overall team than the Colts during much of the regular season. And now Kansas City will welcome back Sammy Watkins into the lineup, making an already potent offense even better.

Weather could play a major factor in the game, but even though the Chiefs can sling the ball all over the field, I still believe in that running game being a consistent producer.

The Colts defense hasn’t been that great in recent weeks, giving up 5.6 yards per play in the last three games. That’s the same number as the much-maligned Kansas City defense. The Chiefs have the better overall offense and they’re coming off after a week of rest.

Even though I give the overall edge to the Chiefs, don’t sleep on the fact that Indianapolis is playing its third consecutive road game with playoff implications. The week 17 win at Tennessee, combined with the Wild Card win at Houston, shouldn’t be dismissed as a negative for the Colts. — Go Chalk with Kansas City

Phillip Rivers is a good start in the week 10 quarterbacks start ’em, sit ’em guide. Flickr

Los Angeles Chargers (+4) at New England Patriots

Maybe this is my heart talking too much for me on this one. But I just think the Chargers are a better team than the Patriots.

I know what you’re saying, too. The Chargers will be on the road for three straight times, just like the Colts. Unlike the Colts, the Chargers are basically on the road every week, because their home-field advantage is non-existent.

Los Angeles has been an excellent road team this season and that shouldn’t stop against New England. Los Angeles owns better numbers in yards per play on offense and yards per play allowed on defense.

We’re conditioned to believe in the Patriots at all costs, but that shouldn’t be the case this season. New England isn’t as good as in years past and the Chargers should expose that with a solid pass rush, mixed in with an offense capable of moving the chains on a consistent basis. — Go Against The Chalk with Los Angeles

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