After 17 regular season weeks and 2 weeks of playoffs, we are down to the NFL’s version of the Final Four. Perhaps not the 4 best teams, but the four teams who have survived this wacky season. A review of the Divisional Round:

Divisional Round Review

The Mahomes to Kelce Connection Sparked Comeback
  • 49ers Dominate Vikings – SF really needed the week off to get healthy, and it showed in this one. LB Kwon Alexander was back, as well as DE Dee Ford to go with Bosa and the rest of that D Line. So, the Vikes were close early in the first half, but in the 2nd half, SF just ran the ball down the Vikes throats. SF ran for 185 yards and more importantly limiting MIN’s RB Dalvin Cook to 18 yards and the MIN O to just 147 total yards and 7 first downs in the game. SF won 27-10. SF hosts the NFC Championship game for the first time since January 2012.
  • Henry Is the King – The Titans are playing 1970s football right now, and it is working. After an initial drive by BAL that looked good until a tip INT, the Titans just rolled the Ravens. RB Derrick Henry could not be stopped for the 3rd straight week. This time Henry amassed 195 yards rushing on 30 carries, plus 7 yards receiving and a TD pass to Corey Davis in the red zone. QB Ryan Tannehill threw for under 100 yards for a 2nd straight game, but super efficient. Meanwhile, the MVP Lamar Jackson led his team to 530 total yards (365 yards, 1 TD passing and 143 yards rushing), but turned the ball over 3 times, plus was stuffed on 2 fourth and short yardage. TEN advances, 28-12 – Titans haven’t been in the AFC Title game since the 2002 season.
  • Chiefs Make Furious Comeback – HOU rolled into KC and was ready to play. After a score, and cashing in on a punt block and muffed punt, HOU and Deshaun Watson (388 yards and 2 TDs) held a 24-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter. However, QB Patrick Mahomes (321 yards passing, 5 TDs and 53 yards rushing) just turned it up hitting TE Travis Kelce (134 yards and 3 TDs) at will for 3 second quarter TDs, plus a fourth TD to Damien Williams (68 total yards and 3 TDs) to actually grab the lead at the half, 28-24. In the 2nd half, the Chiefs dominated and put up 51 points scoring on 8 straight offensive drives in the 51-31 win. HOU had no answer for this offense, so the Chiefs will again host the AFC Championship in back to back years.
  • Packers Hold On – The Pack had never lost to an NFC SEA team in Lambeau (8-0). So, GB continued that streak with a strong first half, as RB Aaron Jones (62 yards rushing, 2 TDs) and WR Davante Adams (160 yards and 2 TDs) just dominated with 3 TDs and a 21-3 lead at the half. In the 2nd, SEA’s QB Russell Wilson (277 yards passing, 1 TD and 64 yards rushing) started to show why he will finish 2nd in the MVP voting leading 3 straight TD drives mostly to WR Tyler Lockett (136 yards and 1 TD) to cut the GB lead to 5 points. Yet, the GB defense got a key stop with just over 3 minutes left, and the SEA D could not get off the field again (GB converted 9 of 13 3rd downs). A questionable spot on the 3rd and long to TE Jimmy Graham catch (3 catches for 49 yards) allowed GB to kneel out the game and the win 28-23, and advance to the NFC Title game for the first time since January 2015.

Divisional and Playoff Records: Round S/U 2-2 (3-5), ATS 3-1 (4-4), Totals 4-0 (8-0). Much better on the sides, and still unblemished on Totals.

Remaining Teams Playoff Index

  1. 49ers – 4.00
  2. Chiefs – 5.17
  3. Titans – 7.83
  4. Packers – 8.17

Conference Game Previews

AFC Title Game

Can the Chiefs Stop This Henry Dude?

Titans at Chiefs (-7.5, total 53) – Sunday, 1/19 at 3:05 PM Eastern/2:05 PM Central on CBS – These teams played a great game in Week 10 of the season in TEN with the Titans coming from behind to win, 35-32. Now, both teams are healthy (although Travis Kelce has a minor hamstring issue). It is a complete conflict of styles here. The Titans are the 70s NFL pounding the leagues most dominant RB in Derrick Henry, plus some tougher than expected defense. Meanwhile, the KC Chiefs are the greatest show on turf now, with Patrick Mahomes and the arsenal of weapons. If TEN is to win, then they will have beaten each of the Divisional leaders in their last 4 games (HOU, NE, BAL and KC). KC seems like they have the right mix to change TEN’s game plan, but their ability to stop the run has been questionable all year long. I can’t go against Mahomes and company, as they are peaking, yet it wouldn’t surprise me if Henry and the boys make it really interesting. I would think that KC’s DC Steve Spagnola will figure out a way to make Tannehill beat them over Henry, but who knows. I’m sticking with the Chiefs to win, Cover -7.5 and Over the 53 Point Total.

NFC Title Game

49ers Are The Best D Remaining in the Playoffs

Packers at 49ers (-7.5, Total 46.5) – Sunday, 1/19 at 6:40 PM Eastern/5:40 PM Central on FOX – SF played GB in Week 12 at home and completely dismantled the Packers 37-8. I don’t think Rodgers will allow his team to get beat like that. However, the Pack will not be able to run against this SF front, so it will take a vintage ARod game to even keep it close. The Packers D has played better of late, and they did sack Russell Wilson a lot. I’m not sure they can stop the SF run game though. Barring some turnovers by the 49ers and QB Jimmy Garrapolo, I think the 49ers roll in this one. I’ll take them to win, Cover -7.5 and Under the 46.5 in a dominating performance.

If the Championship Sunday can match the rest of the playoffs so far, then we are in for a real treat. Let’s go!!

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.