Here we are in the Divisional Round. I think most anyone outside the losing team fanbases would agree the better teams won in the Wildcard round. We now have a collection of eight fantastic teams vying for a spot in their respective Conference Championship game. Who will prevail?
LA RAMS at GREEN BAY PACKERS
When the #1 Defense faces the #1 Offense in the playoffs, defense usually wins. Rodger is 0-2 against the #1 Defense in the playoffs. However, when the QB with the most TDs faces the Defense giving up the least, the QB usually wins. So historical trends won't work well here. Let's look at these teams, not past teams.
Why LA can win: That defense is stacked. They have ballhawk safeties, smothering CBs, and a D line stacked with first rounders in Floyd, Brockers, and of course Aaron Donald. Donald, even with near broken ribs, is likely to wreck the Packer O Line while demanding double teams. With short and quick passes likely, Ramsey, Hill, and Williams will clamp down and press the Packer WRs who have shown against Carolina and Tampa Bay they do not excel at creating early separation. Cam Akers is running wild for the offense, breaking team records for rookie playoff performances, which allows Goff to operate play action and calmly find Woods, Kupp, or Higbee for deep shots.
Why GB will win: They have a deep O Line which, even missing All Pro Bakhtiari, is deep and talented. The line will buy enough time for some rhythm throws and some deep shots. Davante Adams has almost disappeared in some games, but rarely is held for under 100 yards and no TDs. Tonyan has 11 TDs on the year as a TE. Jones, Williams, and Dillon are versatile as a RB group. And the defense has been stopping the run as of late. With Goff sporting a broken thumb, and the Rams having to adjust to a 40 degree drop in temperature, it should swing things in favor of the home team.
Green Bay 27 - LA 16
BALTIMORE RAVENS at BUFFALO BILLS
Two dynamic QBs running two vastly different offenses. Which QB will blink first? Both won their first playoff game last week, but only one will win their second.
Why Baltimore can win: The Baltimore offense is nearly unpredictable. They have 4 amazing runners led by Jackson, running for over 3000 yards in back-to-back seasons. You never know where the ball will go, causing hesitation, which leads to scores. The defense is stacked with talent at every level, with Peters, Smith, Humphrey, Campbell, and more locking down the pass and stopping the run dead in it's tracks.
Why Buffalo will win: Buffalo is a pass first team with a bevy of good pass catchers. They have multiple speed guys, multiple chain movers, and Stefon Diggs may be the best all around WR in football (I felt that last year, by the way). The run game is weak, but the Allen creates an extra wrinkle. Baltimore thrives on turnovers, so as long as Allen doesn't play Superman, Buffalo should win.
Buffalo 31 - Baltimore 30
CLEVELAND BROWNS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
After near 3 weeks rest, the KC starters will take the field again. Reid prepares well after byes, compiling a career 21-5 mark after a week without a game. The Browns rocked the Steelers last week even without their starting G, two CBs, and Head Coach. Will their luck continue?
Why Cleveland can win: They are the ultimate team right now. While Myles Garrett is certainly a star, the rest of the team is so reliant and dependent on the whole to succeed. Landry, Chubb, Hunt, Mayfield, Ward are all good players, but not the star power typically associated with a Super Bowl contender. They run so well, and that is what KC has trouble stopping. They also play pretty disciplined defense, and Mahomes has been so human as of late. With KC not winning a game by more than 6 since beating the mid-season Jets, Cleveland can pull of an upset.
Why Kansas City will win: Reid is a magician and Mahomes is amazing. Combined with the fastest WR group in the league, the best TE, and a stacked defense, this team is the upgraded version of the Manning-Dungy Colts. I may pick against them, but I would never put money on this team losing. The pressure will be on Mayfield to win it, and he just won't.
Kansas City 37 - Cleveland 24
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The History Channel game! Brady is ousting George Blanda from record books. Brees is still efficiently winning game. Both have dominant defenses and a run came to compliment the QB. No matter who wins this game, they will likely be the NFC Champion.
Why New Orleans can win: Did you see what they did the Tampa (twice!!) this year? They annihilated them (TWICE!!!). The ame is no longer on Brees alone. They have multiple weapons at WR with Thomas, Sanders, and Harris, as well as Cook and Hill at TE. And Alvin Kamara, too. Brees is the heart of this team, but Kamara is the legs. He carries them. Shut him down, and the Saints become ordinary on offense. The defense, however, is fast, aggressive, and deep. The D Line can rush the QB and stop the run. The Linebackers are rangy and sure tacklers. The defensive backs are tough, fast, and play the ball well. This is the best team Brees has ever played with.
Why Tampa Bay will win: With three great receivers as well as three great tight ends, Brady can pick any target. It is near impossible to cover all the guys on any play. The RBs are pounders between the tackles, demanding attention. The Defense is like the Saints, but with even more speed from the linebackers. Lavonte David and Devin White can and will neutralize Kamara at the edges, forcing Brees to do what he can, but is hesitant to do; throw deep. Brees' arm looks older every year. This is the end fo the road for him.
Tampa Bay 31 - New Orleans 23
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