The Divisional Round traditionally has given us really fun and competitive contests, but this year was not that year.
DIVISIONAL ROUND REVIEW
Chiefs 31 Colts 13 – Many, including me, thought the Colts were the hottest team in football and would take care of these Chiefs that hadn’t won a home playoff game since 1994 (that’s when Joe Montana played for the Chiefs and last time in the AFC Title Game). However, leave it to Coach Andy Reid to let his team play loose and free against the Colts scoring 2 first Quarter TDs, including a cool reverse to WR Tyreke Hill. The surprise was the Chiefs’ defense which coming in last in the league against the run limited the Colts to just 87 yards rushing. The Chiefs led 24-7 at halftime and the game was really over. Colts’ QB Andrew Luck completed just under 53% of his passes and 203 yards, while newbie playoff QB Patrick Mahomes was 27 for 41 with zero TOs. In Week 6, the Chiefs fought in Foxboro to the end for a highlight reel game (43-40 loss). The Chiefs will host the AFC Championship Game for the first time ever in the Super Bowl era.
Patriots 41 Chargers 28 – Many people felt like this Chargers team would be the ones to knock off the perennial AFC victors- Patriots in Foxboro. Well, news flash, you don’t beat the Patriots in Foxboro. Entering the game, Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers had never beaten Pats’ QB Tom Brady, and he goes home still winless. The Patriots crammed the ball down the Chargers’ defense’s throats – for 155 yards – RB Sony Michel had 129 yards and 3 rushing TDs!! Brady was also flawless completing over 77% of his passes for 343 yards and a TD. Pats’ RB James White had 15 receptions (tying a playoff record for RB Receptions) for 97 yards. Meanwhile, the Chargers rushed for just 19 yards, and despite Rivers’ robust stat line of 331 yards and 3 TDs (1 INT), that was almost all in garbage time. Top Chargers’ WR Keenan Allen had a 43 yard TD in the 1st Quarter, but only got one other catch in the game. So, the typical Belichick game plan to take away what you do best worked to a T. Patriots advance to their, wait for it….8th straight AFC title game.
Rams 30 Cowboys 22 – Going into the game, the story was how poorly the Rams stop the run on defense, and that the Cowboys’ defense could limit that Rams running game. Well, the Rams ran and ran often for 273 yards, both RB Todd Gurley and CJ Anderson ran for over 100 yards in the game combining for 3 rushing TDs. Rams’ QB Jared Goff didn’t have to do much here. On the flip side, the Rams completely stuffed Cowboys’ RB Zeke Elliott for 47 yards (2.3 YPC) and 50 for the entire team. QB Dak Prescott played a clean game, but completed 62.5% of his passes with one passing and one rushing TD. Dallas scored a late TD to make it closer than it was. Rams go back to New Orleans for a rematch of an exciting loss in Week 9 of the regular season. Should be fun. Rams return to NFC Title Game for the first time since 2001.
Saints 20 Eagles 14 – In the regular season, the Saints dispatched the Wentz-led Eagles easily 48-7 in Week 11. The Super Bowl Champs did their best to keep the Foles Magic performing though. In the first quarter, after a rare Brees INT, the Eagles drove 75 yards for a TD, and again on their first drive for a 14-0 first quarter lead. The Saints struggled early to move the ball against the stingy Eagles’ defense, but after a huge interception by Saints’ CB Marcus Lattimore. The Saints drove the field including a fake punt to get one 4th down conversion and going for 4th down at the Eagles’ 2 yard line for the Brees TD pass to WR Keith Kirkwood. The Saints pulled to within 4 at halftime after a FG. In in the 2nd half, the Saints opened their 3rd Quarter drive an 18 play, 11 minute and 29 second drive to take the lead 17-14. They tacked on a FG in the 4th to get to 20. After a missed 52 yard FG to put the game out of reach, Eagles’ QB Nick Foles had one more chance to keep the magic alive. A couple of first downs later with the ball at the Saints 27 yard line just under 2 minutes, Eagles’ WR Alshon Jeffery had the ball bounce off his hands in to Lattimore’s for another INT to ice the game. The Saints will host the NFC Title game for the first time since 2009 (when they won the Super Bowl). This should be a great game.
Championship Sunday Preview
So far in the playoffs, I’ve been middle of the road. Through 2 Weeks, I’m 4-4 S/U, 3-4-1 ATS and 6-2 Totals. The Playoff Index strikes back this week going 4-0 S/U. Here is some data to consider going into Champ Week.
Since 2009, Home Teams have gone 14-4. The only road teams to win have been Green Bay in Chicago (2010 season), NY Giants in SF (2011 Season), and 2 teams in 2012 Season with San Francisco winning at Atlanta and Baltimore winning at New England. Now, in those spots, only the Giants (2011) and Ravens (2012) were lower in the Index for that season. The Packers and 49ers were “the better team” in that match up. Per the Index this year, the Road Teams – Patriots and Rams are slightly better than their opponent in the Index, which will make for some difficult decisions here.
Let’s get ready to RUUUUMMMBBLLEE!!
Wegs