NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Preview
Wild card weekend is now complete, after a crazy weekend of football we now will get to see some of those better teams in the playoffs like the Steelers, Patriots and Eagles. The wild card round kicked off on Saturday as the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Tennessee Titans. The Chiefs controlled the whole first half, taking a 21-3 lead into the locker rooms, but Tennessee was not finished as they scored 19 unanswered points, including a Marcus Mariota touchdown pass to… himself?!?
The Titans got the victory 22-21 and head into Foxborough to play the Patriots on Saturday. Later that night the Los Angeles Rams played host to the Atlanta Falcons. Both teams played well, but the difference was turnovers. LA coughed up the ball twice, and the Falcons took advantage of it, scoring off of both of the fumbles. Atlanta went on to win 26-13. The next day in Jacksonville, the Jaguars and Bills went after it and Bills Mafia was in full effect.
That didn’t seem to help the Buffalo offense though, as they only managed to score 3 points against the tenacious Jags defense. The Jaguars had a tough time on offense as well only scoring 10 points, but that would be all they needed. The final game of wild card weekend was played between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers, these two division rivals faced off twice this year already and New Orleans won both of those games. This game would be no different as Drew Brees took care of business, tossing for 376 yards and a pair of touchdowns to give New Orleans a 31-26 victory.
This weekend should be fun to watch for two reasons:
1. There are good teams playing.
2. It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday so we get the day off which means we get to stay up and watch football all night.
Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles
We’ll start with the first divisional round game in Philly. Nick Foles looks to lead the Eagles back to the NFC Championship for the first time since 2009. Matt Ryan is also looking to lead his team, the Atlanta Falcons, back to the NFC Championship for the second year in a row. Both of these offenses are very good. Both with good quarterbacks and good receivers. If Julio Jones can step up like he did vs the Rams I think the Falcons win this game. The absence of Carson Wentz is going to hurt the Eagles, so I don’t think their offense will be as effective.
Tennessee Titans @ New England Patriots
The second divisional round game takes place in none other than Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium as the Patriots host the Titans. I think this is a no doubt Patriots win, but you never know. The Titans barely beat the Chiefs, but they also put up 19 unanswered points on them. The Patriots defense is not as good as it has been in recent years , but you already know Tom Brady is ABSOLUTELY NOT losing to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers
The first game on Sunday is in Pittsburgh, as the Steelers host the Jaguars. Both defenses have been great this year. Jacksonville has been exceptionally good though. I should know this first hand because I picked them in my fantasy football draft. I think if the Jags offense can get going, and their defense gets after Big Ben, then they have a good shot to pull off the upset. But just like Tom Brady, Big Ben isn’t going down without a fight, I think the Steelers win this one in a close game.
New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings
The final divisional round game will be played in Minnesota. The Vikings will play the Saints in what should be a very good game. Both teams with high octane offenses, it should be a high scoring battle. Between Brees, Kamara, and Ingram the Saints could dominate. But their defense must stop Case Keenum, Stefon Diggs, and Adam Thielen. Again, it should be a great game if you like offense, but I’m gonna have to go with my boy Alvin Kamara (Vol For Life) and the Saints to advance to the NFC Championship!
