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There are only seven games left in this NFL season, not including the Pro Bowl, which I personally kind of think of as not a real game of consequence, or even interest. But as far as competitive games that will go down in the record books, yes, there are seven games left this season, and four of them are to be played this coming weekend.
In the AFC, there is one team that we have grown so used to, that it is almost surprising that they will not be there: the New England Patriots. They were eliminated by the Tennessee Titans, who will face the Baltimore Ravens this Saturday. The other AFC game will showcase the Houston Texans, who just eliminated the Buffalo Bills last weekend, as they go up to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City to face the Chiefs.
As for the NFC, it feels more wide open, and all four teams have a real shot at getting hot and reaching the Super Bowl. The Minnesota Vikings stunned the Saints in New Orleans last weekend. They now head to the City by the Bay to face the 49ers in the early game on Saturday. Then on the late game Sunday, the Seahawks, who just defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, head to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers.
Eight teams still alive, but only half of them will survive these next four games. Last weekend, I got all four predictions wrong, which is kind of embarrassing. But when you stumble, you get up, dust yourself off, and try again, right? So, here we go. I will give it another go for this coming weekend.
Here are my predictions for the divisional round games:
Saturday Games
Minnesota at San Francisco – There is really no denying how impressive the Vikings looked last weekend in beating the Saints in New Orleans. They appeared better balanced than they had in a while, and that may have been due in large part to the reappearance of Dalvin Cook, which sparked the running game. They also have a solid defense, which frustrated the Saints throughout that game. But the 49ers have a tough defense, too, and they can have a very explosive offense at times. That makes this an intriguing match. San Francisco has had two weeks to rest up, and so they should be healthier than they have been in some time. But again, Minnesota also seems to be back to full strength, more or less, and their confidence should be soaring after that huge road victory last weekend. The weather should not be a huge factor, as it is expected to be clear, and either a bit overcast, but with sun possible. Not too hot, nor too cold, which is to say more or less ideal circumstances for a football game. I figure that this will be a relatively low-scoring game, possibly even a defensive struggle. My guess is that it will be comparable to the Vikings-Saints game, and that also, like that game, this will go down to the fourth quarter. It really would not be all that surprising no matter who wins this one, although one team will come out on top, obviously. Minnesota was enormously impressive in the Big Easy on Sunday, and I believe that they might repeat what they did in the 1987 playoffs, when they stunned a favored New Orleans team before shocking the heavily favored San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round. Yes, these are different teams and different seasons – different eras, even – but perhaps history will repeat itself. That is why I am going for an underdog pick here. My pick: Minnesota
Tennessee at Baltimore – The Titans were very impressive in shutting down the Patriots last weekend, including shutting them out in the second half altogether. They should be proud, and they have some things going for them here. That includes a tough defense, and a very physical approach to the game. But the Ravens right now are the hottest team in the league, having won 12 straight games. They are a well-rested team, and their defense is very tough as well. Since the Titans are hardly the most explosive offense in the league, that should make this a difficult game for Tennessee, especially on the road. And let’s face it: while the Patriots were clearly running out of gas in the second half of the season, the Ravens were red hot, and that offense, with one of the best running games that the league has ever seen, will seriously challenge the Titans defense. It will be difficult for the Titans to contain the dangerous double-threat of quarterback Lamar Jackson, who can hurt them with both his arm and those fast legs. Plus, Baltimore should be a tough place to play, even if the weather is expected to be unseasonably warm. Hard to see how the Titans find any way to win here. My pick: Baltimore
Sunday Games
Houston at Kansas City – It will be cold on Sunday in Kansas City, but not as cold or snowy as on Saturday, when it will be well below freezing, and with snow. Still, the conditions will not exactly be hospitable, and that will add to the difficulties for the Texans. Yes, Houston earned a solid win last weekend against Buffalo, but that was at home, and against an offense with much more limited abilities. The Chiefs offense is dangerous, and well-rested. KC’s defense also has become a far more solid unit as the season progressed, which means that the Texans can expect a more difficult task, and a very different team, than they faced last time. Plus, my guess is that the Chiefs have learned something since that game, and that Andy Reid will have this team better prepared. The Chiefs also have more valuable playoff experience. It just feels like the Chiefs have too much stacked in their favor to really feel good about Houston’s chances here, although you never know. Still, my pick is with the home team, as they look and feel like the more complete team. They should be able to deny the Texans a first ever appearance in the AFC title game by qualifying for it for a second year in a row. My pick: Kansas City
Seattle at Green Bay – The Seahawks eliminated the Eagles from the playoffs last weekend in Philly, but they struggled. It should be noted that trying to knock off the Packers in Green Bay’s legendary Lambeau Field will be a much tougher test. Yet, the Seahawks have a tough defense, even if they are likely a notch below the “Legion of Boom” era. And their offense, while still struggling a bit with the running game, might be grounded. Marshawn Lynch was not a huge factor in the game last weekend, and Russell Wilson proved to be the most productive runner for Seattle. We all know what he can do when he airs it out, and he is a veteran quarterback with championship experience, so he will likely rise to have a good game. As for the Packers, their defense is still tough, even if they are not likely as dominant as they at times appeared to be earlier in the season. On offense, they might not be quite as dominant and explosive as they have been in seasons past, yet they still have Aaron Rodgers, and he can certainly rise to the occasion. That makes them potentially dangerous, and remember, the Packers should be well-rested, having just enjoyed a bye week. This is another of those games that I feel could go either way. Yes, I could see the Pack taking advantage of their home field crowd and weather conditions, and the extra time that they had to rest. But I also feel that the Seahawks are tougher than many give them credit for being, and that they could pull this off. This one feels a bit like a toss-up heading in, although my guess is that the Packers find a way to edge the Seahawks and advance to the NFC Championship, although it will be tight, and possibly even go into overtime. But in a game that could go either way, I guess the Pack come out on top in a tight one. My pick: Green Bay
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