NFL divisional round preview
After a super wildcard weekend full of blowouts, this divisional round provides the potential for much more watchable games this weekend. With the number 1 seeds back in action, 8 teams will be fighting to get to the doorstep of the super bowl.
Bengals @ Titans (-3.5): The Titans have about as many question marks as any 1 seed I can remember. Despite seeing the Titans go through long winning stretches both with Derrick Henry and without him, it still seems like we have no clue what this team looks like either way. Luckily for the Titans, Henry seems to be trending towards playing which’ll open up much more options for the Titans offense. An underrated aspect of the Titans is getting some much needed rest for Julio Jones. A rested Jones could have an impact much more similar to the one many expected when the Titans moved for him. And getting AJ Brown involved could be instrumental in deciding this game. This Bengals defense is about as average as it gets and this Titans offense could get on a roll. On the other side, Burrow and the Bengals offense is looking to stay hot in this one. The Titans’ secondary is not very likely to be able to stop the Jamarr Chase-Tee Higgins combo, but limiting that effect is likely the key to the game. If Joe Mixon is able to provide a strong enough ground game that the Titans can’t focus on the past, the Bengals will turn this game into a track race. The best bet is for the Titans to keep Burrow off the field and the score in the 20s. Even in a shootout the Titans will keep pace. They’ve been remarkable against the top of the AFC and they should keep that going here.
Prediction: 24–20 Titans.
49ers @ Packers(-5.5): In the 49ers, we see yet another team that is extremely hard to read. Most of that is down to the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Jimmy G’s health coming into this game with multiple injuries to his throwing arm. The concerns are amplified by the fact that Jimmy G is really an unknown commodity in the cold. The fact that few would be shocked to see Trey Lance at some point doesn’t bode well. But the Niners are a matchup nightmare for a reason. Kyle Shanahan will get the most out of versatile like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, among others. And their O-Line is good enough to keep Jimmy G clean for the most part. But there’s a reason the Packers are the 1 seed. Further, the Packers are about to be as healthy as they have been all year. While I think the Packers have a pretty good defense the Niners will find space for their playmakers if Jimmy G can properly distribute. The matchup that will frighten Niner fans is Davante Adams up against whatever they throw at him. In the first rendition of this matchup, Adams was consistently open making it hard to do much of anything defensively. AJ Dillon and the Packers rushing attack will keep the Niners hands full as well. And you always feel good about having Aaron Rodgers on your sideline ready to hit any pass at any time. I see this game tight up to the end if Garoppolo is able to operate the offense. There’s a reason people have had the Niners as dark horses all year long. Deebo may be too versatile to cover, Kittle too physical, Jauan Jennings too big, Aiyuk too shifty. It all comes down to Jimmy G. But the risk of him not being healthy is enough for me to think the Packers take it by a hair.
Prediction: 28–27 Packers
Rams @ Buccaneers(-3): We all know that Tom Brady still has it at the age of 44. But this game will test just what that really means. What I mean is, the Bucs should lose this game if the Rams offense isn’t on one of the off days they hit pretty often. The Bucs, who have been heavily reliant on their line recently, bring an injured O-line up against the uber talented Rams defense. And the Bucs defense hasn’t had the late surge like last year as of now. But it’s too hard to bet against Brady. The Bucs are missing a ridiculous amount of offensive talent. Godwin, one of the few receivers to have success against Ram’s superstar Jalen Ramsey will be out along with Fournette. Expect Mike Evans to see a whole lot of Jalen Ramsey as well. On the flip side the Rams offense is impossible to predict. The addition of Matthew Stafford has been huge but he is prone to an egg too often this season. I think the Bucs D-line may have the edge on the Rams offensive line which could prompt a Stafford meltdown. If that doesn’t happen it’ll be a struggle to figure out how to treat Cooper Kupp with OBJ on the other side. There is so much going against this Buccaneer team but it just feels like Brady will find a way against Stafford who is an inexperienced playoff QB.
Prediction: 24–17 Buccaneers
Bills @ Chiefs(-1.5): It’s easy to say that the Bills aren’t going to be as good as last week, mostly because it’s essentially impossible. But don’t expect any sort of let down game from the Bills here. This is the game that they have been building towards for a while now. Last year they missed completely but Josh Allen has looked even better down the stretch this year. But to be fair to the Chiefs, Mahomes is hot as well. The quarterback difference is really tight here and they should make this a very fun game. These two teams have two very different defenses as well. The Bills have a great stable unit that can limit scoring if they protect their corners. The Chiefs on the other hand play risky to blitz and force errors. The Chiefs obviously have stats on offense with Hill and Kelce and they’ll have to hope that’s enough. The Bills have a bit more offensive options but neither is especially deep. If the Bills come out hot they’ll win and they couldn’t have more motivation in this spot.
Prediction: 34–24 Bills
