The NFL is a multi-billion dollar industry for a reason. 6 games over 3 days and all of them but one within one score.
Wild Card Review
- 49ers Overwhelm Seahawks: The Seahawks came to play, give them credit. With some big plays and tough red zone defense, the Hawks actually led at the half, 17-16. However, HC Kyle Shanahan got wise and took the ball out of QB Brock Purdy’s hands and put it in McCaffery (119 yards rushing and a TD receiving) and Deebo’s (165 total yards and a TD receiving) hands to completely roll them in the 2nd half, 41-23. SF’s final 5 drives: Touchdown, Touchdown, Touchdown, FG, ran the clock out. That’s what they need to do to win, run the ball and play action, not 20 attempts in a half for Purdy (332 yards passing, 3 TDs and a rushing TD).
- Jags Comeback Kids: Earlier in the year, the Jags had an incredible comeback at home versus DAL, but in this one, it looked bleak. QB Trevor Lawrence threw 4 INTs in the first half (3 in the first quarter), plus a muffed punt gave the Chargers a 27-0 lead with 4:28 to go in the first half as QB Justin Herbert and RB Austin Ekeler combined for 3 TDs. Yet, Lawrence was composed and got a late first half TD to make it 27-7. Then, the Jags scored on every one of their 4 second half possessions, while the Chargers only ran the ball like 20% of the time. The Jags converted a 4th and 1 just out of FG range by running the T formation to RB Travis Etienne (20 carries, 109 yards) which led to a GW FG as time expired to complete the 3rd largest playoff comeback of all time, 31-30. Lawrence finished with 288 yards, 4 TDs, 4 INTs.
- Bills Won Ugly: The Bills came out dominant, as everyone thought they would, leading 17-0 early in the 2nd Quarter. Then, QB Josh Allen (352 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs and 20 yards rushing) did all he could to give the Fins a shot with 2 INTs leading to points. The Bills still led 20-17 at the half, but MIA had hope. MIA then sacked Josh Allen, fumble and TD for the lead, 24-20 on the first drive of the 2nd half. The Bills struck back with 2 TDs passes from Allen to lead by 10, but they still allowed the undermanned Fins to cut the lead to 3 and the Bills couldn’t close the game out with a punt with 4:31 left in the game. The Bills finally held on MIA’s final drive to win the game, 34-31.
- Giants Expose Vikings: The Vikings may have won 13 games, but 11 of them were in one score games. The Vikings had the worst Defense of all the playoff teams. Well, the Giants put up 431 yards of Offense on Sunday, and QB Daniel Jones had a unique day – 301 yards passing, 2 passing TDs, 78 rushing yards, and 0 TOs. That’s impressive. Meanwhile, QB Kirk Cousins couldn’t get the ball to his 2 best playmakers in space: Justin Jefferson – 7 catches for 47 yards and Dalvin Cook – 6 catches for 10 yards (15 carries, 60 yards) – neither had a TD. HC Brian Daboll has done a masterful job with this team in the 31-24 win.
- Bengals Survive: The Ravens were undermanned with no Lamar Jackson and a no name WR corps. Still, QB Tyler Huntley was decent – 226 yards passing, 2 TDs, 1 INT and 54 yards rushing. The Bengals only mustered 234 yards of offense, and the Ravens had a chance to pull off the upset. With the game tied at 17 with 3:06 left in the 3rd Quarter, Huntley tried to go over the top on a QB sneak, but the Bengals knocked the ball loose and CIN DE Sam Hubbard scooped it and ran the 98 yards to the end zone to flip the script. The 4th Quarter was a stalemate, as the Ravens’ clock management was suspect and time ran out on their season. CIN won, 24-17.
- DAL Dominates TB: DAL needed to overcome demons past with TB12 on the other side of the field. Brady entered 7-0 all time versus the Cowboys, plus he almost has never lost as an underdog in the playoffs. DAL hadn’t won a road playoff game since 1993 – that’s Troy and Emmitt days (I was in college). 3 DAL first half TDs, but 3 missed XPs lead to an early 18-0 lead, then another TD and missed XP (Maher was awful) in the 2nd, and Brady finally led a TD drive. DAL answered and hit an XP and the game was over, 31-14 final. Dak was great (305 passing, 4 passing TDs and 1 TD rushing), but the D was incredible – DE Micah Parsons is the dude. Is this Tom’s last game? Maybe, but the Cowboys look like a contender, again.
Predictions: S/U: 6-0, ATS: 5-1, Totals: 2-4 (almost inverse what was expected)
Divisional Playoff Previews
- Jags at Chiefs (-8.5, 52.5 Total) – Saturday, 1/21 at 3:30 PM Central on NBC – This is a rematch from Week 10, where the Jags fell behind early, 20-0, and lost 27-17 but it was never really close. Can this Jags’ team come out swinging in this one? I like how they showed resilience at home versus the Chargers, but they cannot do that again. Plus, HC Andy Reid off of the bye in the playoffs is almost unbeatable. So, the Chiefs are going to win, but by how much, I think the Jags get in the back door and cover the +8.5. The Total will be Under 52.5 (I hope the totals regress anyway).
- Giants at Eagles (-7.5, 48 Total) – Saturday, 1/21 at 7:15 PM Central on FOX – This NFC East match up is their 3rd meeting, and the Eagles won both. I do like how Jones played in MIN, but the Eagles are going to be rabid in this one. I think the Eagles roll here and win going away, S/U, Cover -7.5, and Under 48 (Giants may not score 17 points in this one).
- Bengals at Bills (-5, 48.5 Total) – Sunday, 1/22 at 2 PM Central on CBS – We finally get the game we wanted in Week 17. Burrow vs. Allen. I think BUF has the coaching advantage in McDermott vs. Taylor, and the CIN O Line is really beat up, so BUF has the advantage. However, I don’t like how the Bills are playing and the paper thin safety corps is going to be tested with WRs Chase, Higgins and Boyd. So, the Bills should win this one, but I don’t like the Spread, CIN should keep this closer than +5. Total is Over the 48.5 and dropping here, unless the Bills manage to blow out the Bengals, which I still can’t see Burrow going down easy.
- Cowboys at 49ers (-4, 46.5 Total) – Sunday, 1/22 at 5:45 PM Central on FOX – The Boys destroyed the Bucs, but SF has a real D and O Line, that they will have to contend with. I think the Cowboys will expose Purdy, but they still have the horses to win the game. I think this may be the sneaky best game of the weekend. Bills-Bengals will get the hype, but this one may steal the weekend. I’ll stick with my original prediction to have the 49ers win this one, but it will be a great game. DAL Covers +4 (I’m waiting for the line to go back up before I pounce on it), Total Over 46.5 (already up from 45.5).
Let’s keep the hot streak going. Enjoy the Divisional Round.
Wegs