NFL
By: Steve Rogers
The NFL Playoffs are in full swing now. How strange that two of the most familiar names and faces in the playoffs are missing out this year? That’s right. I’m talking about head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Is this a sign of things to come? Are we seeing the changing of the guard?
The wild card round was just that wild! There were comebacks, close games, two lop sided games, and upsets. The only thing that it didn’t have was an overtime game. If the wild card round of this years playoffs was any indicator of what’s to come buckle up and enjoy the ride. So here are the match ups and my predictions for this week. I’ll start with the AFC then run thru the NFC.
AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
On Saturday January 21, the (4) Jacksonville Jaguars will be in the belly of the beast as the take on the (1) Kansas City Chiefs in Aarowhead Stadium. This is going to be a better game than most are anticipating. The Jaguars head coach Doug Peterson is proving not only is he a quarterback whisper but also one of the best playoff coaches in the league. Last week he led the Jaguars to an epic 27 point comeback against the San Diego Chargers. It’s the largest comeback in franchise history and the third largest in playoff history. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence went from four first half interceptions, to four second half touchdowns and led his team to the game winning field goal.
The Kansas City Chiefs got to take a week off and relax. Not that they really need it this is the time of year where they seem to play at their best. “Playoff” Patrick Mahomes has been in 11 playoff games so far in his career. Here are his jaw dropping numbers; 3381 yards, 28 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a whopping 105.7 passer rating. Travis Kelce remains the most dominate tight end in the NFL. Kelce is not the only guy the Chiefs have. They have weapons all over the offense maybe the hottest right now is that of running back Jerick Mckinnon. After dealing with major injuries and rehab over the last two years he is back and the”Jet” is playing with a full tank of rocket fuel, and has found a NOS button when he needs a little extra ‘juice’.
My Prediction
The Chiefs are 8.5 point favorites. I’m not so sure it will be that big of a difference. This is a match up of two of the brightest young stars taking over the league at the quarterback position. Doug Peterson has given his confidence to Lawrence which has led to Lawrence’s confidence within himself to rise. If that is a real thing look no further than the other side of the field as Andy Reid has done the same with/ for Mahomes. Two great head coaches, two great quarterbacks. This game might come down to the x- factors, the dual threat running backs on each side, the Jaguars have Travis Etienne an emerging star, and the Chiefs have Mckinnon who might be in line for the comeback player of the year. This game might come down to who has the ball last. Final score 37-34 Chiefs.
Next up is the (2) Buffalo Bills versus the (3) Cincinnati Bengals. The Bills didn’t look overly impressive against the Dolphins last week. The Bengals too were in a tight battle until a 98 yard fumble rumble return touchdown flipped the game for them. Both of these teams have been in the AFC championship game over the last two years. Both teams are built to win now. This might be the best game of the divisional round of playoffs. This again is a match up of two of the games best young quarterbacks in Josh Allen and Joe Burrow.
My Prediction
The odds makers are making the Bills the favorite by 5 points. I definitely think this will be closer than that. This will be a back and forth battle. In fact I think this game will be the first overtime game of this years playoffs. Allen and Burrow will have monster games. Stefon Diggs and JaMarr Chase will put on a show. In the end i think this comes down to a field goal kick. In overtime I think the Bengals kicker Evan McPhereson with ice in his veins comes up clutch hitting the game winner. Final score 41-38.
NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Up first is the all NFC East rivalry between the (1) Philadelphia Eagles versus the (6) New York Giants. Throughout the majority of the regular season the Eagles ran thru the NFL as possibly the best team this year. Quarterback Jalen Hurts stepped his game up to a whole new level. Hurts either answered the questions or silenced the haters of whether or not he was the real deal NFL quarterback. He turned in an MVP worthy season. Now the Giants are coming to town for the second time this year and is the third time they will face each other overall this year. The Eagles have a stacked roster across the board. I think the Giants had to go for broke last week going on the road and pulling off the upset over the Vikings. I’m not sure they have enough left in the tank to take down the Eagles at home when the Eagles got to rest and prepare for an extra week?
MY PREDICTION
This feels like the game that’s gong to be like David vs. Goliath. The Giants are David and the Eagles are Goliath. The Eagles have to much talent on the defensive side for the Giants offense to be able to keep pace with the Eagles offensive playmaking abilities. The spread is 7.5 points and this game might be double that. The final score 42-20 Eagles.
The other NFC matchup is set to be a classic as these two teams have meet numerous times in the playoffs over the years. The (2) San Francisco 49ers and the (5) Dallas Cowboys. This is going to be an absolute head banger. These two franchises don’t like each other. These two teams have really good defenses. These two teams have really good offenses. Dallas has the established veteran at quarterback in Dak Prescott. The 49ers are down to third string rookie quarterback and “Mister irrelevant” as this years final pick in the draft Brock Purdy. Since coming in all Purdy has done is win. He is now 5-0 as the starter. He played his best game as a pro in last weeks wild card round, and his first ever playoff game. Prescott also looked really locked in last week. These are two power houses going to go to war this Sunday.
My Prediction
This game is going to be so crazy. The over under is 46. This game is going over for sure. The 49ers are a 3.5 point favorites. That’s not close enough in my opinion. This is going to go down to the wire back and forth. Body blow for body blow. In the end I think the 49ers come out on top. Final score 38-37.
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