NFL Playoff Predictions - Championship Round

 Championship Round

Thursday, January 21, 2021

8:49 PM

That was brutal. 2 out of 4 when I should've known better. Of course Josh Allen would do just enough to win, and the speed of the Bills defense… they were sensational and I think they could spring a surprise on the Kansas City Chiefs. On the other side, of course Drew Brees needs to retire because he can't throw an accurate pass come the 4th quarter, and of course Tom Brady would rush for a TD. I need to be better, redemption will be served if I can nail the Super Bowl on the head. Let's get started.

Green Bay vs Tampa Bay. 

A battle of the bays. I've waited years to be able to write that, but the Packers were garbage when Brad Johnson was leading the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl, and Tampa Bay has been trash for most of my life. I think for a lot of football fans, this was the plan for the end of the season. Myself? I had anticipated a Cowboys vs Saints NFC Championship game so that's what I know. But now that we are here, I'm really looking forward to this. Both as a fan of the Packers and as a fan of the sport.

The first time they met, it was boring and not close. Green Bay jumped out to an early lead, but looked uncomfortable, and after a couple of Aaron Rodgers' INT's, were really never in it. Tampa started conservatively, switched to a bold open offense, and then shut the door with clock management in the 2nd half. This time it should be different. First, the game is on the slow, trudging field at Lambeau. If the forecast is right, it's going to be chilly with a chance of snow. This could play into the hands of the Packers. Outside of MVS, the Packers do a great job of holding the football, and the running backs can all make plays out of the backfield. Where the Buccaneers are good is in their aggression; they blitz really well, but their linebackers are almost better dropping back into coverage and stepping into passing lanes. It's a very difficult team to throw against, as Brees can attest to. I think the Packers will need to get into a mindset of keeping the Buccaneers offense off the field, and doing so with long, run heavy drives. Tampa on the other hand just need to do what they've been doing - be patient, be smart, take what the defense gives you, and make big plays on defense. They remind me of the Baltimore Ravens of the past few years with their ball hawking skills. This game will be won in the turnover battle, just like the last one was.

Packers 31-24.

Kansas City vs Buffalo.

The past two weeks I was able to post on a Tuesday, because I had a feeling of what would happen when the game would begin. I've waited until a quiet Thursday night, and still nothing from the Chiefs camp. This is a tough one; I hate head injuries and I think in a lot of cases players are rushed back and the result of it is the player is never the same again (Justin Morneau, Brandon Stokley just to name a few). You want to have your top guys playing and especially at this time, due to the impact of how important these games are. I think this is a little different in only that Patty is so young, and also, the kid already has a Super Bowl ring. If he's not ready to go, I think you gotta sit him - there will be other seasons. Thus so, I am going to treat this AFC Championship game like he isn't in there, but if Patty is 100% and everything checks out peaches and cream, well, Chiefs 37 Bills 27.

Chad Henne. One of my least favorite quarterbacks of all-time, albeit for personal reasons. Yet, he is serviceable enough, and you can't take away anything from his arm. He can chuck it around a bit. Andy Reid is probably coming up with a delicious game plan, one that may remind you of the great west coast quarterback that Reid had while he was in Philly -  A.J. Feeley. Every once in awhile, Donovan McNabb would get injured and miss a few games and Andy Reid had to rely on a guy that wasn't great, but wasn't afraid to make a few throws and win a game. Well, he led the Eagles to the #1 seed in the playoffs, although they ended up getting beat at home by the Buccaneers (rushed McNabb back too soon???) Well, enough story time. 

These Buffalo Bills are no joke. If Henne has to lead the Chiefs to the promised land, I'm a little worried. I think McDermott takes this game into overdrive and has Allen try and throw the ball 50 times. Not that the Chiefs can't get into a shoot out with their speed and weapons on offense, but Henne has not been battle tested, and as the Ravens learned, the defense is relentless. Josh continues on the up tick of a new legacy, Allentown is going to become a thing, and Buffalo is on the way to Super Bowl #5.

Bills in a wild one 38-35.