HOLLBROOK NY – Happy Championship Weekend. Three NFL games left remain before we turn our attention to Spring Training. Today’s topics: Knicks Dominance, Ravens vs Chiefs, Lions vs49ers
Knicks
The Knicks beat the Heat 125-109 on Saturday for their 6th consecutive win. However Julius Randle suffered a dislocated shoulder in the win. It’s unknown at the moment how much time Randle will miss. Since the acquisition of OG Anunoby, the Knicks have been arguably the best team in the #NBA. They’re 12-2 in January and are allowing the fewest PPG in the league during that stretch. Anunoby has been everything we all hoped RJ Barrett would be at some point. Aside from Boston, the Knicks look like the second best team in the East. I’ve said it from the start, the way this team is constructed – great defense and efficient offense – has them destined for a deep playoff run.
Ravens vs Chiefs
The Ravens look unstoppable at the moment. They have the number one defense in the NFL and maybe the most efficient offense. Entering the playoffs I worried about the KC offense. They looked downright bad for the majority of the season and I didn’t believe there was some magic button that Mahomes and Reid would push and everything would be fixed. The logic there is sound; most teams there isn’t a magic button. The problem is nobody else has Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes and KC put on a clinic in Buffalo. Aside from a pair of Mecole Hardman fumbles, I don’t think the Bills stopped KC once. Mahomes has looked like his old self against Miami and Buffalo but Baltimore presents a unique challenge. The Ravens are by far the most complete team in the NFL. Going on the road to Baltimore, beating the number one defense (and the consensus MVP IMHO), would be the most impressive win of the Mahomes era. I don’t see anybody stopping Baltimore at the moment. They’re one of the most dominant teams in recent years. Mahomes is of course capable of winning this game and I’m certainly not counting him and his fellow Swifties out, but I just don’t see how KC keeps up with Baltimore here.
Lions vs49ers
The 49ers are playing in the NFC title game for the third straight year. The Lions are playing in their first since 1991. If not for Anders Carlson missing a FG last week, we’re looking at an all NFC north NFC title game. The Niners narrowly escaped a loss to Green Bay. However, I do believe the Niners match up much better with Detroit. I expect a lot of points in this game. The Lions pass defense has been atrocious. One of its saving graces, though, is the Lions have the #1 ranked rush defense. I expect Brock Purdy to feed Aiyuk early and often. I don’t see how the Lions stop the SF’s offense. This game will come down to if the Lions offense can keep up with San Francisco. I do expect Detroit to score a bunch, as the Niners defense hasn’t been good either. Dan Campbell has done an incredible job building a tough roster that won’t be intimidated playing in the franchise’s biggest game in 30 years. I think the Lions keep it close for much of the game, but ultimately San Francisco will impose their will offensively, and they’ll slightly pull away late.
That’s it for me, leave your thoughts below and come back tomorrow for the Sports Rain Man, Junoir Blaber.
