It's playoff season, aka my favorite time of the year. My favorite part about the NFL's playoffs is you get a one and done game whereas the NBA and NHL have a 7 game series. MLB is the best as they dabble in both the one and done and series games. However, the NFL's playoffs bring out the best in teams and it shows us who has a shot at the Super Bowl.
AFC Playoff Picture
Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
First Round Bye - Kansas City Chiefs
The AFC teams in the playoffs are arguably the best seven teams we've seen in a long time. While some will argue the Miami Dolphins should be in, I would disagree. They're still young and need time to develop QB Tua Tagovailoa and the rest of their offense.
Let's start with the Ravens and Titans which is a rematch of the last year's divisional round. I think this will be the best matchup of the weekend do to the bad blood between the two and they are evenly matched. The Ravens defense started the year off strong, but have had injuries and a spout of COVID-19 late in the season while the Titans virtually have no defense. The Ravens ended the season as the 2nd best in the league while the Titans ended at 24th. If the Titans can't contain the run game between QB Lamar Jackson and rookie RB J.K. Dobbins, then their in trouble. If the Titans stick to their game plan from last year, we'll see the same results. I believe the score will be 24-21 in favor of the Ravens.
Browns at the Steelers will be a rematch of Week 17, but with very different results. The Browns snuck out at a win at 24-22 but against the Steelers 2nd stringers. QB Mason Rudolph was the starter and he brought the Steelers back from a 24-9 deficit in the 4th quarter. If he could've placed the ball in rookie WR Chase Claypool's range on the 2-point conversion attempt, then the game would've been headed to overtime. The Steelers rested 4 players; QB Ben Roethlisberger, C Maurkice Pouncey, OLB T.J. Watt, and DT Cam Heyward while S Joe Haden and TE Eric Ebron were out on the COVID-19 list. With the addition of their starting QB, C, OLB, and DT, the Browns will have a lot to handle this week when they travel to Pittsburgh. The Steelers will win 27-20.
The Indianapolis Colts will travel to the Buffalo Bills who look like the best team in the AFC besides the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills put up 56 points against the number defense last week and it doesn't appear they'll be slowing down. Newcomer WR Stefon Diggs is the league leader in yards, receptions, and yards per game while 3rd-year QB Josh Allen has over 4,000 passing yards. The Colts will have a tough matchup Saturday afternoon in Buffalo. I see the Bills rolling over the Colts 45-23.
NFC Playoff Picture
Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Football Team
First Round Bye - Green Bay Packers
The NFC is arguably the better conference minus the NFC East division. All of their teams play hard fought games and the top 3 seeds have 12+ wins while two of their wildcard teams have 10+.
Let's start with the Bears heading down south to the Saints on Sunday. The Bears defense is the sole reason why this team is 8-8 and not worse. They've gone back and forth between QBs Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky as the starter, ultimately choosing Trubisky late in the season. However, the Saints have a double threat at quarterback with Drew Brees and Taysom Hill with the pocket passer and the scrambler. I see the Saints winning 34-27 and heading to the Divisional Round.
The Rams and Seahawks will be the best game in the NFC because these two teams are evenly matched and it's divisional. Anytime a playoff game is divisional, it's going to be good. However, it's tough to call a winner between the two. Which Jared Goff and Russell Wilson show up? The ones who throw for 300+ yards and no interceptions? Or the ones who barely pass for 200 yards and throw 2 to 3 interceptions? Both defenses will give each offense fits all day, but which quarterback will prevail? Sorry Goff, I'm going with the guy who won the Super Bowl. Seahawks win 17-14.
The Bucs will head north to our nation's capital to take on the nameless football team who won in Week 17 because Doug Pederson wanted to "get Sudfeld some snaps". As long as the Bucs prepare for the WFT I don't see them being a problem. However, the WFT has a strong defense, especially up front with Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, and Daron Payne. Rush those four and drop seven and Brady will struggle to pass to his all-star wide receivers. Fail to get to Brady and it'll be a long day for the secondary. I'm going with the Bucs to squeeze out the win 21-17.
See you in the Divisional Round.
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