The NFL Divisional Round is here, and the Patriots aren’t in it. Times have changed in the NFL. So who will emerge to play for conference championships? Read on….
We are finally here–one of pro football’s most exciting weekend. The NFL Divisional round will kick off Saturday afternoon at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara! #1-seed San Francisco 49ers will host #6-seed Minnesota Vikings. Later in the evening, the ‘Lamar Jackson Show’ go up against the tough and rugged Titans with machine-like Derek Henry.
The following day we’ll have the privilege of seeing two of the best, young quarterbacks in the game! Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will be fighting to reach the AFC Championship against Deshawn Watson and the Houston Texans. And to cap off the weekend, two former Super Bowl MVPs will duke it out. Russell Wilson will take his Seahawks into blustery Green Bay to take on Aaron Rodgers and thousands of ‘Cheeseheads’!
So, who will win in all four of these great match-ups? Well, here we go!
#6 Tennessee Titans (9-7) @ #1 Baltimore Ravens (14-2)
Date: Saturday, January. 11, 2020
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET.
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore, MD
Coverage: CBS
O/U: 48
The offense–Ravens. I see this as a no-brainer. Baltimore broke the record for having the most rushing yards by a team in a season as Lamar Jackson and teammates ended the season with 3,296 yards. That ‘O’ starts with Lamar Jackson, which then transitions into the passing game. Baltimore can kill you off a simple read-option or fool you with a fake handoff. Defenses bit, which then leads to tight ends being wide open down the seam.
The defense–Ravens. From top to bottom, the Ravens’ defense is one of the NFL’s best. But Baltimore is about to go up against the biggest running back in the league–Derrick Henry, who rushed for 182 yards on 34 touches and wore down the Patriots as last week’s game progressed. Baltimore’s ‘D’ v. Henry’s legs will be the match-up of the game. If the Ravens can limit the Titans from converting first downs, the Ravens should be fine. But if Henry and the Titans’ offense is on the field for 30+ minutes, then don’t be surprised if the Ravens take an ‘L.’
Conclusion: Titans win ugly … again. I think the Titans are ready to make a Super Bowl run. Derrick Henry is the most significant factor. It’s a matter of whether the Titans’ defense can contain Jackson.
Titans 23, Ravens 20
#6 Minnesota Vikings (10-6) @ #1 San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
Date: Saturday, January. 11, 2020
Time: 4:35 p.m. ET.
Venue: Levi Stadium – Santa Clara, CA
Coverage: NBC
O/U: 44.5
Offense & Defense–49ers. The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a surprising win over the New Orleans Saints. Kirk Cousins and Vikings now have to face the revamped ‘Niners. But the 49ers are flat-out better than the Vikings on both sides of the ball.
When it comes to offense, the ‘Niners are ready to put up points. The running game is a big part of that. Success there leads to the passing game. On Saturday, look for tight end George Kittle to be the focal point. I’m also giving the nod to the NFL’s best defense, largely because San Fran has one of the fastest front sevens in the game. That means Cousins and his O-line are going to have to figure out a way to deal with pressure. The only SF defensive flaw is at cornerback, and I predict that Minny will attack Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon.
But, in the end, the ‘Niners will slam the Vikings and reach the NFC Championship game.
49ers 31, Vikings 17
#4 Houston Texans (10-6) @ #2 Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
Date: Sunday, January. 12th, 2020
Time: 2:05 p.m. CT.
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium- Kansas City, Missouri
Coverage: CBS
O/U: 51
The offense–Chiefs. This is an easy choice. KC’s offense is just, plain explosive. But the excellent news in the Midlands is that KC’s ‘D’ is getting better. That defense, horrible in the first half of the season, is now helping the offense. Patrick Mahomes doesn’t have to throw for 400 yards, and three TD’s a game to win.
The defense–Chiefs. Tyrann Mathieu, KC’s defensive leader, knows that keys to winning are keeping DeAndre Hopkins from catching the deep ball and containing Deshawn Watson, especially when he gets wide of the pocket.
The Chiefs will return to the AFC Championship game and get their shot at the Super Bowl. Keep in mind that KC won it all a half-century ago (1970).
Chiefs 34, Texans 21
#5 Seattle Seahawks (10-6) @ #2 Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Date: Sunday, January. 12th 2020
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET.
Venue: Lambeau Field- Green Bay, Wisconsin
Coverage: FOX
O/U: 46.5
The offense: Seahawks. Russell Wilson and Company will march into Lambeau Field Sunday and–even under those difficult circumstances–I’m taking the Seahawks’ offense over the Packers’ offense. Why? First, Wilson creates plays when nothing is there. Second, D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett will have good games. Third, ‘Beast Mode’ is back!
The defense: Packers. But I do think GB’s defense will give Seattle fits all night long. Why? I’ll give you three names–Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith, the Packers’ outside linebackers. Although Wilson is a quick and nifty scrambler, the Smith duo will be able to contain him.
Whoa! Just because I said that, don’t come to a quick conclusion. I predict that the Seahawks will edge out the Packers in what will be a wild game. I know Aaron Rodgers is one of the all-time greats, but I also think that the Seahawks have more weapons at their disposal.
Seahawks 24, Packers 17
