Welcome to part 2 of my 2020-21 NFL playoff predictions! Five for six on my Wild Card predictions. Not too bad, indeed. Only miss was the Cowboys-49ers game, when the Cowboys forgot how clocks work.
Onto the Divisional round predictions!
AFC
#1 Tennessee Titans vs. #4 Cincinnati Bengals
The Titans might be living up to their name this weekend, should Derrick Henry - the King - make his much anticipated return. If so, the Bengals will have the great displeasure of facing one of the most dangerous ground attacks in the league.
By contrast, the Bengals thrive with their deadly passing attack. Joe Burrow will ensure the Bengals have a strong offense, but they need an answer to the Titans ground assault. The Bengals defense must stop the rush, or else they'll be rushing out of the playoffs.
Prediction: Titans win, 31-21.
Result: Bengals win, 19-16
Comments after the game:
The Titans defense looked unstoppable today. Joe Burrow was sacked NINE times, the Bengals O-line looking like complete Swiss cheese.
And all it took to undo the defense's work was Ryan Tannehill. Three horrific interceptions allowed the Bengals to survive and kick a last-second field goal to advance to the AFC Championship.
This could well have been the Titans' year. It could have been, but it will not. The Titans had Derrick Henry, and they still couldn't get it done.
Titans, our last departing words for you:
***
#2 Kansas City Chiefs vs. #3 Buffalo Bills
I have no confidence in my pick for this game.
None.
Two powerhouse teams, fresh off dominating wins, are about to collide. The unstoppable force meets the immovable object. Patrick Mahomes against Josh Allen. The duel of the fates. The Super Bowl before the Super Bowl.
If you watch any Divisional game this weekend, watch this one. It is primed to be an all-time classic.
Prediction: Bills win, 52-49.
Result: Chiefs win, 42-36 (OT).
Comments after the game:
As expected, a classic game. Too bad the overtime rules absolutely suck.
NFC
#1 Green Bay Packers vs. #6 San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Rodgers isn't a particularly big fan of the 49ers. Three times Rodgers has faced the 49ers in the playoffs, and three times he has been defeated. Fourth time's the charm? He would certainly hope so.
The Packers haven't had too many problems in Divisional games in recent years; it's the cursed NFC Championship game that always seems to end their Super Bowl hopes and dreams. The Packers are consistently strong in the regular season, but never quite seem to get it done in the playoffs. All their energy runs out too early.
That said, it seems unlikely the Packers will run out of steam in the Divisional round this year. True, the 49ers are fresh off an upset victory over the Cowboys, but the 49ers' own late game collapse was only salvaged by the even more spectacular collapse of the Cowboys. Worse, the 49ers are also dealing with injuries, including to Jimmy Garoppolo and Nick Bosa, the latter being far more concerning. If Bosa cannot play, it will be a severe blow to the 49ers defense, enough to allow Rodgers free reign on the field.
The 49ers should keep it interesting, but it won't quite be enough.
Prediction: Packers win, 35-28.
Result: 49ers win, 13-10.
Comments after the game:
We have some stunning live footage of the Packers special teams unit:
Total disaster.
A catastrophic blocked punt returned for a 49ers touchdown was the final blow to the Packers' hopes. And so the drought continues. Year after year for the last decade, the Packers enjoy a strong regular season but follow it up with playoff disappointment. Will the misery ever end for Green Bay? No way to tell at this point.
But hey, it least the latest playoff failure wasn't in the NFC Championship game!
***
#2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. #4 Los Angeles Rams
Tom Brady against the Rams? Where have I heard this one before...?
Oh no.
If this somehow turns into a rerun of Super Bowl LIII, all insomnia in America will be instantly cured.
The Buccaneers are plagued with injuries, but they have a devastating weapon of mass destruction called Tom Brady. As long as the o-line can hold out long enough, Brady shouldn't have too much trouble. That said, the Rams defense is a mighty powerhouse that will test Brady far more than the Eagles did in the Wild Card. Matt Stafford's confidence is surely at an all-time high as well, having finally secured his first playoff win.
Expect a shootout.
Prediction: Buccaneers win, 34-31.
Result: Rams win, 30-27.
Comments after the game:
Brady wielded his magic, but the Tampa defense imploded at the worst possible moment. There will be a new Super Bowl champion this year.
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