We’re down to the final eight. Let’s get ready to rumble!
Last weekend two games came down the wire and the rest were blowouts. I expected closer games, but the Bills, Chiefs, Bucs, and Rams had other ideas. The Bengals also won their first playoff game in 31 years, and the Niners went into Jerry’s World to crush the Cowboys’ dreams of getting back to the Divisional Round. The final eight is now set and I am sure that these games will be much closer than what we saw this past weekend.
Tennessee Titans (12-5) v. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)
Here we go, the Tennessee Titans open up their playoff run against the red-hot Bengals. Cincinnati is rolling in with one of the NFL’s best QB/WR duos. The Titans are bringing back Derrick Henry, who hasn’t played since Week 8. Both the Titans and the Bengals are primed to put up points. It’s only a matter of which defense shows up.
Strengths Titans – The Titans run game is their biggest strength when Derrick Henry plays. We also can’t forget about Ryan Tannehill, who is lethal when the Titans get into the Red Zone. Tannehill will be a bigger factor than many people think.
Weakness Titans – The secondary for the Titans has been suspect for most of the season, and stats back that up–31st in receptions allowed and in yards allowed. They also rank 27th in passes being completed for more than 20 yards. This gives the advantage to the Bengals, but if the Titan’s front four can get pressure on Burrow, which I think they will, then the Titans should be fine.
Strengths Bengals – Cincinnati’s passing attack is ranked 7th in the NFL. It also ranks 1st in YPA and 2nd in YPC. Burrow and Chase are the biggest reasons, And with the Titans’ pass defense is ranked 27th, Burrow, and Chase should have a big day. We also can’t leave out Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, two wide-outs that can change the game at any time.
Weaknesses Bengals – The Bengals’ offensive line has been sub-par all season long, ranking in the top 5 in taking sacks. Plus, Titans’ defensive front is a top 10 unit.
Key Players
Joe Burrow – Burrow will now have to march into Tennessee and take down the #1 seed. His play will be the key factor if the Bengals are to reach the AFC title game for the first time since 1988.
Derrick Henry – If King Henry plays, the Titans should win. If he is 100%, pencil in the Titans to return to the AFC Championship game.
X-Factors
Julio Jones – Although Julio Jones has been hampered with a lingering hamstring injury, that doesn’t mean he can’t make an impact. If Jones goes for 5 receptions and 65 yards and a TD, the Titans should be in good shape.
Tee Higgins – Higgins is the Bengals X-factor because I believe the Titans will play Ja’Marr Chase like they would play Tyreek Hill. That means Higgins will be open more often in Saturday’s game. If Higgins or Boyd go off, the Bengals have a good shot at winning this game.
Prediction – Titans 24, Bengals 21
Green Bay Packers (13-4) v. San Francisco 49ers (10-7)
San Francisco is coming off a big upset and now has to face Aaron Rodgers, But (surprise) the Niners are a perfect (3-0) against the All-World quarterback in the playoffs.
Strengths Packers – This one is obvious–Aaron Rodgers is the strength of this team, and teammate Davante Adams is another strength. This dynamic duo is the best one-two punch in the league.
Strengths 49ers – San Francisco’s run game is the strength of this physical team. It all starts up front with Trent Williams and the offensive line. They rank 7th in rushing and thrive in chewing up the clock and wearing down the opposing defense. The Packers also just so happen to be ranked 29th in rush defense. They also give up 5.3 yards per carry, which is dead last in the NFL. Another strength for the Niners is Deebo Samuel. The Niners line him up anywhere and everywhere, which will cause problems for the Packer’s defense.
Weaknesses Packers – This team has no weaknesses. But if I had to nitpick, the supporting WRs are unproven and are working on being consistent. Other than that, the Packers are good on all three fronts.
Weaknesses 49ers – Jimmy G is the weakness of the Niners. He folds at significant moments. The 49ers lose if that happens on Saturday.
Key Players
A.J. Dillon – The second-year bruiser has made great strides this season, and I see him taking on a bigger role this Saturday. That would allow Aaron Jones to flourish in the passing game as well.
Deebo Samuel – This Swiss Army knife will be the focal point of the 49ers’ offense Saturday, and the Packers are going to have to figure out how to contain him … or else.
X-Factors
D-Line – The Packers are getting back their best defensive line pieces.
Fred Warner – Even though Fred Warner suffered an ankle injury on Sunday against the Cowboys, he is set to play. Warner is one of the best linebackers in the NFL and I see him having success against Aaron Rodgers.
Prediction – Niners 27, Packers 23
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4) v. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
These two high-flying offenses met back in Week 3 in SoFi Stadium when the Rams defeated the Bucs 34-24. But that game doesn’t matter. Why? Since then, the Rams added Odell Beckham Jr, Von Miller, and Eric Weddle. They also got back Cam Akers, who is coming off an Achilles tear. On the other hand, the Bucs have lost Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, and Leonard Fournette. So this game will be nothing like the first one. I can guarantee that.
Strengths Bucs – It’s Tom Brady. The 44-year-old quarterback is still doing it. Brady has seen every defensive coverage the NFL has thrown at him.
Strengths Rams – The WR core is led by Mr. Triple Crown himself, Cooper Kupp. After him, Odell Beckham Jr is next in line. These two have been playing great and Matthew Stafford can trust them both. Those two give the Rams a huge chance to win and move on to the NFC Championship game.
Weakness Bucs – The WR core for the Bucs has dwindled to Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski, Tyler Johnson, and Cameron Brate. Will that be a problem against the Rams?
Weaknesses Rams – The Rams are pretty balanced. But if they were to have a weakness, it would be in the backend at safety. The Rams had to call up Eric Weddle, who had retired, to come back.
Key Players
Tristan Wirfs – The right tackle was injured on Sunday against the Eagles, and his status for Sunday’s game is coming down to a game-time decision. If Wirfs misses Sunday, Aaron Donald and the boys on the front line will have a field day.
Von Miller – If we see glimpses of 2015 Von Miller on Sunday, the Rams are primed to return to the NFC Championship game.
X-Factors
Tyler Johnson – The second-year WR is a sleeper come Sunday. Johnson made big plays down last year during their Super Bowl run and I expect him to do the same against the Rams.
Cam Akers – It’s unbelievable that Cam Akers is back after tearing his Achilles just six months ago. And with Akers looking as good as he did against the Cardinals, I expect him to keep on rolling.
Prediction – Rams 34, Bucs 31
Kansas City Chiefs (12-5) v. Buffalo Bills (11-6)
Here we go again, Mahomes vs. Allen and Chiefs vs. Bills, Round 2. The two teams met in Week 5 in Arrow Head when the Bills throttled the Chiefs 38-20 and embarrassed them on national television. But much like the Rams and Bucs’ Week Three matchup, it doesn’t matter. Both teams have changed, and the Chief’s defense is way better than it was back in Week 3.
Strengths Chiefs – Patrick Mahomes and the running backs are the strengths because Mahomes has been utilizing his backs more than ever. And that has translated to victories, and it has also opened up the offense.
Strengths Bills – Josh Allen and the defense are the strengths for the Bills. Allen is a scary dual-threat QB. The Bills’ defense gives him the confidence to play freely.
Weakness Chiefs – The Chief’s weakness has to be their inability to get teams off the field on 3rd down. They are also weak in the Red Zone. The Bills just so happen to be great on 3rd down and in the Red Zone. So something has to give.
Weaknesses Bills – The Bills running game is the weak point for me. I understand Josh Allen is great on the ground, but I know they don’t want to use him to the point of injury. And, let’s face it: Devin Singletary isn’t the greatest.
Key Players
Jerick McKinnon – McKinnon has come on strong late in the season, and his game was on full display last week. His versatility is scary. I expect McKinnon to have a monster game on Sunday night.
Stefon Diggs – Diggs has been quiet lately, but I know he is ready to make noise Sunday night. I expect Diggs to be the key to victory for the Bills.
X-Factors
Nick Bolton – The Rookie LB is the Chief’s X-Factor. He can match up with Dawson Knox, and he can also get after the passer. I think Bolton is going to come up big when it matters.
Jordan Poyer/Micah Hyde – These two safeties are the best in the NFL and they are going to make life tough on Mahomes. And they will need to do just that if the Bills are to make it back to the AFC championship game.
Prediction – Chiefs 28, Bills 23
