NFL Divisional Round Staff Picks: Patriots poised to end Chiefs' winning streak

Each week during the NFL season, theScore's NFL staff will put on their prognosticator hats and offer up selections against the spread for all of the week's games, highlighting several marquee matchups.

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots

Joe Thomson: The Patriots look like they'll be getting Julian Edelman back and, as the offense returns to full health, it's going to be tough for the Chiefs to keep pace - especially with Jeremy Maclin highly questionable to play. Patriots -5

Caitlyn Holroyd: The Chiefs bring an 11-game winning streak to Gillette Stadium, but they also could be without top wide receiver Maclin, who's nursing an ankle injury. The Patriots, meanwhile, should have their top receiver Edelman back. Look for New England to put an end to Kansas City's winning ways with a dominant victory. Patriots -5

Dan Wilkins: Kansas City's win streak has been incredibly impressive, but no victory over that stretch has come against a team anywhere near the Patriots level. New England gets it done at home in convincing fashion. Patriots -5

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals

Holroyd: The Cardinals ended the regular season on a disappointing note, but before that loss, they were one of the NFL's hottest teams. They should be feeling pretty comfortable heading into this matchup, considering the 38-8 beat-down they delivered to the Packers in Week 16, during which they sacked Aaron Rodgers nine times. Cardinals -7

Wilkins: While it may have come against a thin Redskins defense, Rodgers and the rest of the Packers offense finally appeared to find a spark last week. That long-awaited progression should at least be enough to keep this game close, and could even put Green Bay in line to pull off an upset. Packers +7

Thomson: The Packers team that took the field in the final three quarters of last week's wild-card game can hang with the Cardinals. That other Packers team will be rolled off the field like in Week 15. I think the Packers keep rolling offensively and keep this game close. Packers +7

Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers

Wilkins: As strong as Carolina's defense may be, a lack of depth in the secondary should have Russell Wilson poised for a much stronger game than last week. That will prove to be the difference in this one, getting the Seahawks one step closer to yet another Super Bowl appearance. Seahawks +2.5

Thomson: The last time these two teams played, Cam Newton emerged from the game as a legitimate MVP candidate and never looked back. But that was before the Seahawks became the NFL's hottest team and slipped past the Vikings on Wild Card Weekend. Take the points in a close one. Seahawks +2.5

Holroyd: The Seahawks could have very well been sent packing last week if not for Blair Walsh's missed field goal, and now face a well-rested Panthers team that already defeated them once this season. A third straight NFC Championship Game appearance just isn't in the cards for Seattle this year. Panthers -2.5

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

Holroyd: Antonio Brown has been ruled out this week with a concussion and Ben Roethlisberger likely won't be 100 percent after injuring his shoulder in the wild-card round. That puts the Steelers in an extremely tough spot against the Broncos' No. 1-ranked defense, which allowed just 199.6 passing yards per game during the regular season. This should be an easy win for Denver. Broncos -6.5

Wilkins: Pittsburgh will have some trouble putting points on the board against Denver's top-ranked defense. While few know what to expect from Peyton Manning in the postseason, his Week 17 performance proved that the Broncos offense is at its best when he's under center. Broncos -6.5

Thomson: While the Steelers are relying on a healthy Roethlisberger to move the ball, the Broncos offense is literally a complete unknown. It could come down to defenses, in which case this one should go the same way their Week 15 matchup did. Steelers +6.5