For the first time in NFL history, all four road teams won their opening round playoff games this weekend.
If that seems like a surprise it shouldn’t be, the wild-card teams were underdogs in number only. In each of the four games, the team with the best quarterback won.
That’s what the playoffs are about — clutch QB play and a strong defense.
As we look ahead to the four divisional playoff rounds, it’ll be a slugfest between true championship contenders. There’s no gimmes or cupcakes.
A quick look at this weekend’s contests:
Kansas City at New England, Saturday, 2:35 p.m.
At first glance, Tom Brady vs. Alex Smith is a strong mismatch. If this battle is decided by the QB, the Patriots should win going away. The danger with the Chiefs is with the rest of their team. Kansas City has stronger offensive weapons and line. Brady could be running all day from the Chiefs’ pass rush.
Green Bay at Arizona, Saturday, 6:15 p.m.
Was the Packers’ late offensive resurgence a fluke or a sign of them finally getting it together? Just two weeks ago, the Cardinals beat the Packers 38-8 by sacking Aaron Rodgers eight times and scoring two defensive touchdowns. It’s hard to see the second time taking a 31-point shift.
Seattle at Carolina, Sunday, 11:05 a.m.
These two teams played in the same round last season, but a lot has changed since January 2015. The Panthers are now the class of the NFC and will host a struggling Seahawks team that needed a 27-yard field goal miss by Blair Walsh to advance. Carolina lost the turnover battle three to zero last season, they’ll need to win it this year to avoid the same fate.
Pittsburgh at Denver, Sunday, 2:40 p.m.
The health of Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and DeAngelo Williams may be the most important conversation leading up to this rematch. Denver has the advantage of having a different QB for the grudge match. The Broncos’ secondary should be prepared to play less man coverage against Pittsburgh’s talented receivers the second time around.
CHEW ON THIS
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• Sunday’s .
• Will ? Columnist Woody Paige chimes in.
• ? Columnist Mark Kiszla thinks so.
• Avalanche defenseman after posting three goals and six points last week.
• Sunday night, helping Denver beat Charlotte.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Efthimios Rentzias turns 40. In 1996, the Denver Nuggets selected the 6-foot-11 Greek basketball player with the 23rd pick in the first round of the NBA draft. Rentzias never played for Denver.
Cameron Wolfe: cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
Online sports producer Joe Nguyen contributed to this story.
