Last Week’s Record: 3-1
Overall 2019 Record: 122-124-13
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
NFC Divisional Playoff
(6) Minnesota at (1) San Francisco
A Case for the Vikings: The Vikings might have a little momentum going after
shocking the Saints in the Wild Card round in New Orleans. We have seen this
before: A team that no one picks pulls off an upset win in the first round, and
then they get on a run because they feel that no one believes in them. Could
the Vikings repeat that in this postseason? They certainly could. They are
playing with house money now after their win last week, and even Kirk Cousins got
the “QB who can’t win the big game” label off his back with that win. Now, they
are loose and can play the underdog role to a young 49ers team, who has
everything in front of them and everything to lose.
A Case for the 49ers: The 49ers have been the NFC’s best team from the beginning
of the season to the end. They have young talent on both sides of the ball, and
they were battle tested in the regular season. They had two tough games against
Seattle, swept the defending NFC Champion Rams, buried Green Bay, won in New
Orleans, and played Baltimore really tough on the road. They will be ready for
the Vikings on Saturday. Plus, I love the idea of Kyle Shanahan having two full
weeks to prepare an offensive game plan for this week’s game. I would give the
coaching edge in this game to Shanahan and his staff. The 49ers crowd and fans
could also be a real, big factor because they haven’t hosted a playoff game
since 2012.
Prediction:Minnesota (+7) over SAN
FRANCISCO-The 49ers will win this game, but I can
see this game being really close. I would expect the 49ers to start fast, but if
Minnesota can weather the storm early, then they can be in this game. The 49ers
have more pressure on them, so I think that they could play tight if things
don’t go their way. I think this comes down to the 4th quarter, but
I think the 49ers will pull it out.
Final Score: 49ers-27 Vikings-24
AFC Divisional Playoff
(6) Tennessee at (1) Baltimore
A Case for the Titans: The Titans are another team riding a lot of momentum heading
into this weekend. They knocked off the Patriots in Foxboro last week, and now
they have their sights set on the Ravens. The Titans have a lot of confidence.
You can buy into Mike Vrabel. You can buy into Ryan Tannehill. You can buy into
Derrick Henry. There is definitely a path for them to go into Baltimore and
pull the upset. The Titans have nothing to lose this week. They are another
team that is playing with house money. They can play fast and loose and all the
pressure is on the Ravens. The Ravens have won 12 games in a row. That’s hard
to do in the NFL, and they could be due for a loss.
A Case for the Ravens: They have been the best team in the AFC since Week 4. No one
has been able to stop Lamar Jackson and that offense-especially their running
game. John Harbaugh has been here before many times, and he knows how to manage
and handle his team in this big of a game. They are rested and ready, and the
crowd in Baltimore should be electric for this game on Saturday night. They
might just be too good for the Titans.
Prediction: Tennessee (+9) over
BALTIMORE-The Ravens will win the game, but I
expect another close game. Look for Baltimore to come out and play a little
tight, but I think they will settle down and find a way to win this game. I
think the Titans will be valiant, but Baltimore wins their first playoff game
since 2014.
Final Score: Ravens-24 Titans-20
AFC Divisional Playoff
(4) Houston at (2) Kansas City
A Case for the Texans: They already went into Arrowhead and knocked off the Chiefs
earlier this year, so you know they have the confidence of going there and
winning. Deshaun Watson can literally just take the game over and win it by
himself. He has that type of ability-even on the road in a tough environment. The
Chiefs defense has played well the last month or so, but Watson gashed them in
October, and the Texans are getting Will Fuller back for this game. Throw in
the fact that no one is going to be picking them in this game. Everyone is on
the Chiefs bandwagon, and I think the Texans will use that as motivation.
A Case for the Chiefs: With the Pats out, the Chiefs path to the Super Bowl became
a lot clearer and a lot easier. I think they will use what they learned from
losing to the Texans in October, and they will adjust what they do for this
game. Pat Mahomes is so good, and he is ready to make his mark on the league.
He got close to a Super Bowl last year, and I think this his the year he gets
there. Also, Andy Reid is due to get back to another Super Bowl, and this might
be his best chance. They got a break when NE lost and they slid into the #2
seed and a first round bye. Things might be falling into place for them to win
the AFC this year.
Prediction: Houston (+10) over KANSAS
CITY-I could see the Texans giving the
Chiefs problems for awhile, but KC and Mahomes will be too much in the end.
Look for a KC win setting up a Lamar-Mahomes AFC Championship showdown.
Final Score: Chiefs-30 Texans-23
NFC Divisional Playoff
(5) Seattle at (2) Green Bay
A Case for the Seahawks: They are battle-tested on the road, so going into Lambeau
Field won’t be intimidating for them. I like their chances with Russell Wilson,
and I don’t think they are afraid of the mystique of the Packers, the weather,
their tradition, and the home field. I think they play fast and loose, and Pete
Carroll knows how to get his team ready for these types of games. I know
Seattle didn’t look great last week in the win over Philly, but they have a
tendency to do that at times this year. When you doubt this team, then they
come back to bite you. I think this game fits this team perfectly. They will
play up the underdog role, but I think they might be a better team overall than
the Packers. This is a very live underdog here in this spot.
A Case for the Packers: After a two-year absence, the Packers are back in the
playoffs. It feels a little different this time around because although they
are 13-3 and got the bye, they haven’t dominated in the past like they did with
some of those other Aaron Rodgers-led teams. It will be interesting to see how
they respond. Obviously, with Aaron Rodgers at QB, the Packers have a great
chance to win this game. The crowd should be fired up for this game in the late
window on Sunday. The Packers defense has been really solid this year, and that
could give Russel Wilson fits. I like the Packers running game this year as
well, so Rodgers has that to lean on. Anytime the Packers are at home in the
playoffs, you have to like their chances.
Prediction: Seattle (+4) over GREEN BAY-
I think one road team wins this
weekend, and I think this is the spot. The Packers and Seahawks have played
some wild and memorable games in the past, and this might be another one. Great
setting for this game: Late Sunday window in Lambeau Field on a cold and
possibly snowy evening. This should be a close game throughout, but I have a
feeling that the Seahawks pull it out late and stun the Packers at home.
Final Score: Seahawks-23 Packers-20
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