Port Jeff NY- Greetings, let’s talk some ball.
NFL Playoff reaction and predictions
Texans beat Chargers.
Wow, I really didn’t see this coming. These teams entered the playoffs heading in entirely different directions. The Chargers appeared to be peaking on offense at just the right time, and the Texans looked lifeless in the last month of the season. However, none of that mattered. Justin Herbert played perhaps the worst game of his career and the chargers as a whole couldn’t move the ball all game.
Ravens beat Steelers.
Not much analysis needed here. As expected the far superior Ravens dominated the Steelers who ran out of steam about a month ago. I think Baltimore could be poised for a huge run.
I won’t give my full analysis after breaking down the games last week, instead I’ll make my picks for the rest of the postseason.
Bills over Broncos.
Eagles over Packers
Bucs over Commanders
Vikings over Rams
Divisional Round
Chiefs/Texans
As impressive of a win as it was for the Texans against the Chargers, this is a complete mismatch. The Chiefs played their two best games of the year in the final weeks of the year and enter the playoffs as healthy as ever off the bye. Chiefs 28 Texans 17
Ravens/Bills
The week 4 matchup between these teams was a big disappointment with the Ravens rolling through the Bills 35-10. I expect a much more competitive game this time. Josh Allen and the Bills are firing on all cylinders and might be the only team in the AFC who can go blow for blow with the Ravens. As well as Josh Allen and the Bills are playing, I think this version of the Ravens offense is unstoppable with Lamar and Derrick Henry. Ravens win in an instant classic. Ravens 31 Bills 28
Lions/Vikings
It wouldn’t stun me to see the Rams beat the Vikings and play the Lions in this spot. However I really don’t think it matters. The Lions have the best offense in football and they’re getting RB David Montgomery back for this game. The Vikings are an excellent team who’ve had a remarkable year that will end in Detroit. Lions 35 Vikings 24
Eagles/Bucs
The Bucs appear to be the sleeper everyone thinks can make a deep run and upset some of the top seeded teams in the NFC. I don’t see it in this spot. Baker has been incredible for two years now, but this Eagles team is a different beast than the one they beat in the WC round last year. Not only is the defense playing at an incredibly high level, the running game of the Eagles can keep Baker and the Bucs offense off the field and shorten the game.
Eagles 24 Bucs 17
Conference Championship
Chiefs/Ravens
As much fun as it would be to see the Bills try to slay the Chiefs, I think this matchup would be even better. The Chiefs squeaked by the Ravens in week one after a last second Isiah Likely TD was called off the board when his toe was out of bounds by an inch. The Ravens are a much different team at this point. Since week 8 the Ravens have the number one ranked offense per DVOA and the number 8 ranked defense, which is a massive improvement for the latter after they struggled mightily early on. The Ravens aren’t the only ones to improve. After struggling offensively for much of the regular season, all of the Chiefs weapons seem to be clicking at the perfect time. As incredible as Lamar and Derrick Henry have been all year long I simply cannot pick against the Chiefs at home. I think the Chiefs find a way again and go to the Super Bowl in chase of a three peat. Chiefs 23 Ravens 20
Lions/Eagles
Another incredible potential matchup. I think the Eagles matchup as well as any team can with the Lions. They’re going to feed Saquon Barkley 30 plus touches, bleed the clock and keep the Lions potent offense off the field. I don’t see how the Lions defense is stopping the Eagles. As special as this Lions team is, I think Philadelphia is a nightmare matchup. Eagles 28 Lions 27.
Super Bowl.
Chiefs/Eagles.
That leaves us with a rematch of Super Bowl 57. If there’s one man who can formulate a plan to stop Barkley and the Eagles rushing attack, it’s Steve Spagnolo. While this Chiefs offense isn’t as explosive as it was two years ago, I really don’t think it matters. Their defense is what’s gotten them this far which is incredible considering they have the best Quarterback on the planet. I don’t think anyone can beat this team, they simply put themselves in position to win games like any other dynasty in sports. Chiefs 24 Eagles 21
