This weekend sees the divisional round of the playoffs. Both the AFC and NFC Championship games will be sorted this weekend.
Embed from Getty ImagesFirst up, at 9:30pm UK Time, sees the Houston Texans (10-7) travel to Arrowhead and face the No 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs (15-2). The Chiefs had last week off, and rested their starters in their week 18 loss to the Denver Broncos, so they should be well rested. The Chiefs have already beaten the Texans, 27-19 in week 16.
Patrick Mahomes was struggling with a high ankle sprain a few weeks ago, but has been a full participant in practice this week, along with RB Isiah Pacheco, T Jawaan Taylor and DL Chris Jones. Having those players back to full participants in practice is a huge plus for the Chiefs.
The Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers last week 32-12, but were held to a three point lead at half time (10-6). In the second half, the Texans defense really showed up, sacking Justin Herbert four times and also picked up four interceptions, limiting the Chargers to just a touchdown and a failed two-point conversion. The Texans could be without Lb Azeez Al-Shaair, WR Robert Woods and RB Joe Mixon, who are all listed as questionable.
Embed from Getty ImagesNext up, at 1am UK time, the Washington Commanders (12-5) travel to Ford Field to face off possibly the best team in the NFL at the moment, the Detroit Lions. (15-2). Similar to the Chiefs, Detroit has had the last week off, where as the Commanders relied on a Zane Gonzalez field goal as time expired to win 23-20.
Lions RB David Montgomery is expected to play after a knee injury, which is a huge plus for the Lions. There are no other injury concerns for the Lions, other than those players missing for multiple weeks. The Commanders, however, have TE Zach Ertz, WR Jamison Crowder, CB Marshon Lattimore and LB Bobby Wagner all with unspecified designation for the game this weekend.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Next game, kicking off at 8pm UK time, pits the Los Angeles Rams (10-7) against the Philadelphia Eagles (14-3). In their week 12 meeting, the Eagles won 37-20 in Los Angeles.
The Rams blew away the Vikings 27-9, sacking Vikings QB Sam Darnold nine times!! The Rams had this game won by half time, as they were winning 24-3. Both Offense and Defense showed up for the Rams last week, and they will have to again this week.
The Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers in their last game 22-10. Green Bay QB Jordan Love went 20 from 33 for 212 yards and three interceptions. The Eagles ran the ball a lot, with Jalen Hurts only throwing it 21 times (13 completions) for 131 yards and two touchdowns. RB Saquon Barkley, possible MVP candidate, had 25 carries for 119 yards.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe final game, and probably the game of the Divisional round, with a 11:30 pm kick off UK time, sees the two leading MVP candidates go head to head as Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens travel to face Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. The Ravens destroyed the Bills 35-10 in week 4.
Both teams had easy games last week, Baltimore beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14 (with a massive total of 299 yards rushing!) and Buffalo destroying the Denver Broncos 31-7.
In that Baltimore win, Lamar Jackson was 16 from 21 for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson also rushed for 81 yards on 15 carries. RB Derrick Henry powered his way to 186 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns.
Denver opened the scoring on the first drive of the games against the Bills and were only trailing by 3 at half time, but Josh Allen went 20 from 26 for 272 yards and two touchdowns, RB James Cook ran for 120 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown.
Predictions – All four games have the potential to be close. Both number 1 seeds (Detroit and Kansas City) have had the week off, which can be detrimental. However, I see the Chiefs, Lions, Rams and Ravens winning. The Championship round awaits and I see it as being the Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC Championship, and the Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions for the NFC Championship.
