​Well ladies and gents, the stage is set at last. For after two hard fought matchups, we finally know who will represent the AFC and the NFC in Super Bowl LIV and I get the funny feeling the Chiefs and the 49ers are going to make the biggest game in all the land worth our while in a couple of weeks. But, before we dive in and discuss what is going to allow for them to make the Super Bowl an entertaining ride, it’s important we reflect upon how they got here. So, with that in mind, it’s best we take a moment and reflect upon Championship Sunday and all of the highs and lows that came with the AFC and NFC Championship games. 

The AFC Championship Game was a thrilling tale of two halves.
I know I’m not the only one who wondered if the Chiefs were going to see their Super Bowl dreams evaporate before their eyes once again. Because the AFC Championship Game started off in rough fashion, since the Tennessee Titans put up some big points early, by way of long and sustained drives that kept Patrick Mahomes and the powerhouse KC offense off of the field. And even when the Chiefs were able to stand up to the Titans and answer in the end zone, Tennessee was happy to put a few more points on the board, sending home the message that they had figured out the weaknesses in the KC defense and they were going to exploit them to their fullest.
 
But a funny thing happened during halftime, the Chiefs got their heads on straight and thanks to some mid-game adjustments, the defense came out and surprised the Titans once they took the field in the second half. For Tannehill was unable to put together anything of note in the passing game and Derrick Henry was woefully ineffective and #15 and the offense took full advantage of their extra reps on the field, and lit up the scoreboard in the 4th Quarter and for their efforts, the Kansas City Chiefs are AFC Champions for the first time in fifty years and they’re packing their bags to play in the Super Bowl. But truly, the most magical elements when it comes to this game is that the Chiefs finally came together and played well and honestly, who didn’t get a little misty-eyed seeing Clark Hunt hoist the trophy, that bears his father’s name. 

The Green Bay Packers should have left their conservative game plan at home.
Let’s be honest, being a head coach in the NFL is an incredibly tough job when all is said and done. For if they win and win big, they’re the heroes of the hour and often times regarded as masterminds for bringing the best out of their players and if they lose, well… we know how they’re viewed and how their story ends. But truly, what makes a coach great or quality is experience. Because they have to get a feel for the game and how it flows and well, inexperience can be a costly venture when the coach isn’t sure how to proceed and for proof, look no further than yesterday’s NFC Championship Game.
 
For the Packers really didn’t accomplish anything until garbage time, and their inability to adjust cost them dearly and well, all of this is a direct result of Coach Matt LaFleur’s inexperience as the guy. Because he more or less stayed the course and offered up a conservative and safe game plan for the Packers to execute and it failed them miserably since the Niners saw right through it and trying something new and risky would have served the team better. But alas, hindsight is 20/20 and Green Bay’s season is done. But the good news is that the Packers have a bright future under coach LaFleur and hopefully seeing the Niners punch their ticket to the Super Bowl serves as a valuable lesson for him. Also, on a quick side note, this is another game that featured a beautiful and touching family moment, since former Head Coach Mike Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls in Denver, handed the George Halas trophy to his son and that really was a lovely sight to see and it should be interesting to see what the younger Shanahan will do with his talented team in Super Bowl LIV. 

Well my fellow football fans, we have arrived at the quite the special day in the postseason; Championship Sunday. A day when the two finest teams in the league will be selected to play in the Super Bowl and a day that quite frankly, sometimes offers fans of the sport, better football than the big game itself. Granted, that may sound like blasphemy, but you know exactly what I am talking about. Because coming this close to the big one and losing is unacceptable in the minds of some teams and that’s why we get such incredible and legendary matchups from time to time and there is a chance today may feature some breathtaking games. So, with that in mind, let’s dive right in and take look at today’s Conference Championship games as we anxiously await to see who will be playing in Super Bowl LIV.

THE BUZZ
There is a lot of buzz surrounding this particular game and there is good reason for that. After all, this is a Conference Championship that everyone thought would be played in a different town, with different teams but here we are, and it is all thanks to the stunning efforts of the Tennessee Titans. For they have played the spoiler over the past two weeks, knocking off both the Patriots and the Ravens and now they face their biggest challenge yet. For the Kansas City Chiefs have been explosive and methodical for the entire postseason and they are once again a single game away from competing for the Lombardi Trophy and the sheer potential of this particular matchup is what has fans buzzing for several reasons. For this one has the makings of an instant classic, with a grand underdog taking on a genuine Goliath and you can never go wrong with seeing two hungry teams duking it out in the postseason and that’s precisely what I think this game is going to provide us with.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
While the initial thought is that this game is Kansas City’s to lose, there is a path forward for the Tennessee Titans. First and foremost, they have to stick with what works and provide the KC defense with a heavy dose of Derrick Henry. Because they need to wear this D down and need to use Henry to set up the passing game and most important of all, they have to end drives with points. Because the KC offense is no joke and Patrick Mahomes is the real deal and will score a plenty and that’s really what the Titans D needs to focus on in this game, minimizing the damage that #15 can inflict. As for Kansas City, their suspect defense has to step it up in this matchup. Because they’re mediocre at best and they need to give us their best if they want a shot at playing in the Super Bowl. Which means, they have to stop the run and they have neutralize Tannehill and it should be interesting to see which team puts it all together today, and gets to hoist the Lamar Hunt Trophy before making reservations for hotels in Miami. 

​THE BUZZ
Sometimes the football gods are incredibly kind to the fans and they provide everyone who loves this sport with a matchup involving two evenly matched teams and that’s precisely the case with the NFC Championship Game. Because this one features a pair of 13-3 teams that feature solid but not flawless defenses and dynamic quarterbacks/offenses that can make exciting plays and score some serious points. Which doesn’t exactly engender a buzz any other week of the year, but there is an excitement growing around this game simply because there are still some important questions surrounding these teams. For some fans and experts are still wondering if Jimmy G can handle big games and if his coach is the real deal or not, and speaking of coaching, there are still plenty wondering if that was the real problem in Green Bay last year, and a big win here will help silence any concerns, at least… for the victor.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Well as the old saying goes in football, defense wins championships and that’s going to be supremely applicable to today’s NFC Championship Game. Because both Jimmy Garoppolo and Aaron Rodgers can seemingly score at will, and they both move the ball down the field in efficient and sometimes thrilling fashion. Which means, the defenses in this game have to step it up if they want a free trip to the Super Bowl, and they each need to take unique steps in stopping the dynamic QB’s they’re facing today. When it comes to the Niners, their defense has to attack Aaron Rodgers all day long. They don’t need to sack him per se, they just need to force him to get the ball out quick. Because if he has time to settle in and read the coverage, he’ll make San Francisco pay, and as for the Packers, well they need to offer up a little finesse when their D takes the field. Because Kyle Shanahan has designed quite the creative offense this year, one that features unique routes and disguises and rather than try to figure that out, a little old school might do the trick. So, if Green Bay’s defense plays tight man coverage and they can find ways to disrupt these carefully designed routes, they’ve got a shot, and it should be interesting to see which defense steps it up, so their team can hoist the George Halas Trophy.

I think we can all agree upon one simple fact when it comes to this year’s postseason games in that; they’re really freakin’ good. Because we’ve enjoyed two solid weeks of impressive matchups, with the Divisional Round upping the ante like never before. For I don’t think of any of us expected to see some the outcomes that took place this weekend and, in all honesty, the quality of games this year has me supremely excited for next week’s Championship round. But I am getting ahead of myself, because we need to take a moment a discuss this past weekend’s slate of stunning matchups. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and recap the Divisional Round.
 
The Minnesota Vikings offense is in need of innovation.
Make no mistake about it, the San Francisco 49ers earned their big win over the Vikings on Saturday, and I absolutely tip my cap to that offensive game plan since the Niners exploited every weakness present within the Minnesota defense. But while San Francisco did their job on offense, there’s a solid reason as to why this team’s defense was so adept at shutting down the Minnesota offense and that is simply due to the fact that the Vikings were outright predictable. The run plays, the passing game, it was all stuff that every football fan and team has seen before and it was so vanilla in fact that the Vikings only generated a whopping 147 yards of total offense over the course of the game. Which means this team really needs to take a good long look at the O in the offseason and make whatever changes are necessary in order to take full advantage of the talent on that side of the ball, and if they can’t modernize this system, then expect another season filled with disappointment.
 
The Tennessee Titans are the real deal.
I think it is safe to say that a most of us out there in football land expected the Tennessee Titans to lose to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday Night. Because the Ravens feature a powerhouse defense and a dynamic offense, both of which brought down some elite teams over the course of the regular season. But the fact of the matter is, the Ravens (and me, and others) underestimated their opponents and paid the price dearly for it, since the Titans ran roughshod over the Ravens in their house and well, it’s high time that Tennessee deserves some serious praise. Because it is obvious now that they are for real and their running game and defense are elements to be feared and truth be told, Kansas City is going to have their hands full with this team, because they’re fearless and ready to rumble and I look forward to seeing what they will do in the AFC Championship game.
 
So, how about those Chiefs?
Wow. That’s really the only word that comes to mind when I think about the Texans/Chiefs game, simply because it was full of stunning surprises. Because I did not expect Houston to put up 24 in the first quarter, nor did I expect this game to basically become an outright shootout, with KC putting up 28 unanswered in the second quarter on their way to 51. If anything, it just speaks to the fact that the Kansas City offense is scary good, and when given the opportunity they will embarrass and eviscerate their opponents for certain. But while there is a lot to celebrate in Kansas City today, the fact that their defense allowed 31 points is serious cause for concern, especially when one considers that the powerhouse Titans are coming to town, so if the Chiefs want a shot at the big show, that defense really does need to step it up come next Sunday.
 
The Green Bay Packers reminded us why sometimes a coaching change is necessary.
This time last year, it seemed a great many football fans and various experts were split upon Green Bay’s decision to fire Head Coach Mike McCarthy, and that’s understandable since McCarthy did win Super Bowl XLV with the Packers. But while there were plenty of post firing discussions revolving around how a few key personnel changes could have saved his job, sometimes folks get comfortable and complacent in their position and new blood is what you need and for proof, look no further than Sundays Seahawks/Packers game. Because the Pack were revitalized on the field under the tutelage of their new skipper Matt LaFleur and the trust he put in his team and the healthy risks that he took on offense paid off in spades and for their efforts and their boldness, they’re headed to the NFC Championship game once again. And who knows, perhaps the Packers season will end like did it for the 2015 Broncos, since a coaching change in Denver was just what that team needed to make it to football’s promised land.   

Truly, the best part of the NFL Playoffs, is the sheer fact that anything can happen once a postseason game gets underway, and for proof, look no further than yesterday’s games. For the vaunted Vikings didn’t put up all that much of a fight in their battle with the Niners and the Titans of course, outright stunned the Ravens and football fans everywhere. But there will be time to truly dive in and discuss the details of those games later, simply because there’s one more day of Divisional Round football to prepare ourselves for and what has me excited about today’s matchups is that once again, anything can happen. So, with that in mind, let’s get right down to it and break down the incredible matchups that await us on Day Two of the Divisional Round. 

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
You always hope to see a matchup involving two quality teams and that’s what this one is providing us with. After all, the Houston Texans had an impressive season in 2019, one that was complete with some big time wins as they locked up the AFC South, and last week’s Wild Card Matchup against Buffalo was another opportunity for this squad to shine since they answered the challenge in front of them in impressive fashion. As for the Kansas City Chiefs, well they more or less picked up where they left off in 2018 by winning the AFC West once again and by playing some quality football all around, since they went 12-4 during the regular season, and thanks to some decisive and important victories they managed to lock up the number two seed in the AFC playoff race.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
I think we can all agree upon the fact that this game is likely going to be a high scoring affair. For both teams boast some quality quarterbacks that are able to throw the ball deep and keep plays alive with their legs. Which means that the biggest key to this game is going to come down to defense and the first D squad that is able to limit the damage is the one that will help to secure the win. But how each defense accomplishes that particular feat is what matters the most. Take for example the Texans, who have a so-so secondary but a wonderful defensive line and the key for them, is to use that line to go after Patrick Mahomes all day long, in the hopes of rushing his throws or disrupting them with a hit/sack. As for the Chiefs, well they need to be horrendously aggressive in this game on all fronts. Simply because they tend to operate within the ‘bend but don’t break’ style of play and they can ill afford to give Houston and inch and it should be interesting to see which defense wants it more in this game. 

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
This is another game that features a pair of NFC juggernauts. But what’s interesting about this particular matchup, is how these teams were perceived in the regular season. For the Seahawks definitely received plenty of attention for their thrilling play and ability to be the first team to beat the San Francisco 49ers, and their solid performance against Philly last week, just seemed to reinforce the notion that they should indeed be in the tournament. But the Green Bay Packers got here in quiet fashion, which is fascinating when you look at their stellar record of 13-3. But they didn’t win games in flashy fashion, and they rarely won by a massive margin. They simply took care of business and kept their heads down while everyone else ranted and raved about their opponents and their efforts and humility, helped them to lock up the number two seed in the NFC.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
This is another game that features some evenly matched teams for certain and some quality quarterbacks. Which means this one could either become either a shoot-out, or a defensive struggle, but there is a path forward for either team to win. For example, the Seahawks need to use the run game to wear down Green Bay’s stout defense and take full advantage of any opportunity that comes their way when the Packers D is gassed, and speaking of defense, Seattle’s also needs to work hard to contain Aaron Rodgers and do their best to disrupt his carefully designed routes. As for Green Bay, well not only do they need to stay their steady course of executing on both offense and defense, they really do need to come out swinging and smack Seattle in the mouth. Because time and time again this season, any team that stood up to them, overpowered them with ease and if Green Bay can keep the intensity up, then they’ve got the win. 

It’s always a wonderful thing for football fans when Wild Card Weekend turns out to be epic in nature. Because that means every single team that won that weekend, is hungry to take this ride as far as it can go, and they’re riding the high of a big win in the NFL postseason, something that they will definitely carry over to the next round and really, that’s precisely why I’m excited for this weekend’s slate of games. For every last one of them features teams that deserve to be here and every single squad that takes the field is ready to give it their all in order to get one step closer to the big game, and with that in mind, let’s take a moment and examine what to expect from Saturday’s games as the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs get underway.

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
It’s been an interesting journey for both of these teams, simply because for a brief moment there, it seemed as though neither of them would get what they want this season. For the Vikings are a team that saw some up and down moments, the kind that made everyone wonder if they were playoff worthy. And that concern extended to last week’s game when they took on the talented Saints. But they proved in thrilling fashion they deserve to be here. As for the Niners, well, their early season push to dominate the NFL was a successful one since they won nine straight to start the year. But a few losses down the line and some tough play from of some of their competitors, left one to wonder where this team was going to end up seeding wise in the playoffs. But a thrilling finale against the Seahawks, the very franchise that handed them their first loss of the season, helped them to lock up what they clearly wanted all along, home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Well I think we can all agree upon the fact that this is San Francisco’s game to lose. For they have an outstanding quarterback under center in Jimmy Garoppolo who can light up the scoreboard at will with the incredible weapons at his disposal. And the bend but don’t break style of defense that they employ has served them well all season long. But it is possible for Minnesota to beat this team, provided a few key things come into play. First and foremost, the Vikings defense has to figure out how to slow down or neutralize that powerhouse offense. Which means they have to blanket TE George Kittle and slow down WR Emmanuel Sanders and force this team to run which really isn’t their style in the slightest. As for the offense, well Kirk Cousins needs to have another outstanding game and take advantage of every opportunity the Niners defense provides him with, just like he did last week. But while there is a shot for Minnesota to advance to the Championship round, I’ll be shocked if they do. Because San Francisco’s offense is almost impossible to stop, and the defense can indeed make big stops when they have to and I really am expecting the home team to wrap up the win today. 

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
This is a matchup that features quite the contrast, when it comes to how these teams arrived at the Divisional Round. After all, the Tennessee Titans were in essence a forgotten team until they switched quarterbacks and willed their way into the playoffs, and even then, there were no guarantees they would make it this far. But a stunning win over the New England Patriots has brought them to Baltimore’s doorstep. Speaking of the Ravens, they were simply dominant all year long, and despite losing a few games here and there, they consistently gave their opponents fits with the RPO style of offense the employ, which was complimented by some incredible defensive play. And for their efforts, they toppled opponent after opponent on their way to the number one overall seed and for the moment, the road to the Super Bowl goes through Baltimore.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Oddly enough, this is another game whose outcome is in the hands of the home team. Because the Ravens really are a dynamic team. For their quarterback or their tailback can run the ball at will and they handle that trade off in such seamless fashion that it confuses opposing defenses and to make matters worse for their opponents, they can throw the ball as well. Because Lamar Jackson has a magnificent arm and wonderful accuracy and makes teams pay when they commit to the run and hey, that defense is no slouch either since they dominate consistently. But it is possible for Tennessee to pull out a win, and the biggest way to make that happen, is to keep Jackson off the field. Which means the Titans D has to generate some three and outs and the offense, well they need some long and sustained drives, the kind that helped them to beat New England. But more importantly, those drives have to end with points. But in the end, I really do expect the Ravens to walk away the winner in this one, because they’re the best team in the AFC for certain. 

​Some years, the NFL Playoffs start off in slow and somewhat disappointing fashion. Complete with games that are either blowouts or snoozers and those are the years that we instantly hope for better games down the line. But sometimes, the playoffs kick off in magnificent fashion, and it is clear from the get-go that all the teams involved are hungry to advance and will do whatever it takes to win and thankfully, that’s precisely what this year’s Wild Card Weekend delivered. Because every squad that took the field this past weekend, gave it their all, and that led to some incredible moments, which means its best we get right down to business and recap a thrilling couple of days of quality playoff football.
 
The Houston Texans finally stepped up in a playoff game.
I won’t lie, I started writing this particular blurb early on into the Buffalo/Houston game simply because, it looked like the Texans had given up once again. For they were lethargic and unresponsive to the beating that Buffalo was putting upon them for quite some time. But something clearly changed in the second half since this team pulled themselves out of their funk, and that definitely brought about one incredible game as both of these teams went back and forth for the win. However, what truly put Houston over the top in this one, was the sheer fact that they wanted it more, and for proof, look no further than how hard they played and how they fought for every inch. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the defense finally figured out how to fluster Josh Allen. And for their efforts and their drive, Houston’s Super Bowl hopes are still alive and they’re going to need to hang on to their newfound Moxy tightly, since they are squaring off against the supremely talented Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.
 
The New England Patriots season came to a close in fitting fashion.  
Sometimes you just a get a particular feeling about how a game is going to go, and Saturday night’s Titans/Patriots game is a fine reminder of how sometimes those feelings are right. Because this matchup felt ominous for New England from the get-go, especially after that embarrassing loss to Miami a week ago and it was almost too perfect to see a thick fog hanging over Gillette Stadium before this game kicked off. For an ugly air surrounded this team all season long and the Patriots were their same inconsistent selves in this particular game, and they finally paid the price for it and now they head into the offseason with more uncertainty surrounding them. For Tom Brady is an unrestricted free agent who has done little to quell the worry that he is leaving Foxboro for another team, and the coaching staff may see further fracturing if Josh McDaniels leaves and of course, they’re in dire need of a youth and talent injection. And it should be interesting to see what happens with this team in the weeks to come after this devastating loss.
 
Kirk Cousins finally came through in the clutch.
I will be the first to admit, that I have been incredibly hard on Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, simply because… when you sign a deal as massive as he did a couple of years back, your expectations as a player are through the roof. For that was elite money, the kind that the best of the best earn on a consistent basis. So, to see him continuously do so-so in the regular season is frustrating for certain. But it would seem that Kirk is something of a late bloomer in this league because he finally put it all together in Sunday’s matchup against the Saints and his performance was one for the ages. Because he made every big throw in every big moment and he managed to pull off the game winning touchdown. And for his efforts, he now gets a chance to build upon this win in the Divisional Round and he also found a way to expose how badly the Saints are in need of better playmakers in their secondary and well, I tip my cap to #8 because he earned this win and every ounce of praise that is coming his way.
 
The Philadelphia Eagles desperately need depth at quarterback.
Make no mistake about it, the Seattle Seahawks played a solid game on Sunday, one that saw them handily beat the Eagles with minimal fuss. But one has to wonder how this game would have gone with two star quarterbacks taking the field since Eagles QB Carson Wentz left the game early on, thanks to an ugly hit that injured him once again and well, Wentz’s poor luck with his health proves that Philly really needs to have a better contingency plan in place at Quarterback. Because it wasn’t that long ago that a backup named Nick Foles led the team to a Super Bowl Championship. But Nick is gone and Josh McCown is not the answer and really, this team needs to find a high level backup to play under center for this team since their starting QB comes and goes and if they cannot find that, or figure out how to keep Wentz healthy, then expect more heartbreak for the Eagles down the line. 

​Well, ladies and gentlemen, the time has come at last. After months of hard work and sacrifice and highs and lows, a special weekend has arrived in the NFL, one that brings joy to fans of football everywhere. For Wild Card Weekend has arrived at last and with it comes several weeks of some of the hardest fought battles we will see this season, all in the name of getting an opportunity to play for the title of Super Bowl Champion. Which means we are going to be treated to some incredible games this weekend, complete with a few that should stun us if the playoffs follow the regular season’s formula and with that in mind, it’s time we dive in and take a look at what we can expect from round one of the NFL Playoffs.  

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
The playoff games that involve scrappy teams are often my favorite and that’s precisely why this game has my attention. Because both of these teams took their lumps on their way to the postseason. For while the Buffalo Bills showed the NFL world that they had improved on both offense and defense, they did suffer some tough losses as the season rolled on, only to bounce back and impress us once again with dynamic wins. And while they didn’t lock up the AFC East when given the opportunity, they did just enough to earn a playoff berth. If anything, their story really does mirror Houston’s as well, for they too had an up and down season full of surprising losses and stunning victories. But the Texans did one thing differently, they seized upon every big opportunity that came their way and for their efforts, they won the AFC South and the honor of hosting today’s matchup.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
If the Buffalo Bills want to have a shot at winning this thing, they have to do two key things. For starters, they need Josh Allen and the offense to produce long, sustained drives that end with points in order to wear out that plucky Houston D, and speaking of defense, Buffalo’s simply needs to bring its A game. Because they’ve shown that when they play as a unit and at a high level, they’re unstoppable. As for the Texans, well they need to take this game seriously. They tend to overlook their opponents and play as though they just deserve the win and that’s brought them nothing but heartbreak in the past. So, if this team brings some serious heart to the field, and the defense can find a way to harass and frustrate Josh Allen, they’ve got a shot at winning this thing and advancing to the Divisional Round. 

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
This is quite the fascinating matchup when all is said and done simply because both of these teams seem out of place in the playoffs. For the Tennessee Titans were a team that few thought had any playoff potential after losing four of their first six games. But a quarterbacking switch at Denver changed their path in 2019. For Ryan Tannehill did what Marcus Mariota could not and started to win games in impressive fashion and the decision to make the switch clearly paid off since the Titans are back in the tournament for the first time in ages. As for the Patriots, well they won the AFC East for the 11th straight year, but that’s their only real achievement on the field this year, and it is indeed a little strange to see this vaunted team playing in the Wild Card round for a change. But they really did have to fight to get here since they suffered some shocking losses in the regular season, including a season finale upset at Miami.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Make no mistake about it, the Tennessee Titans have a real shot at winning this game if they follow the formula that other teams did, this year when they faced and beat the Patriots. Which means the offense has to be relentless, and Tannehill must take advantage of every opportunity presented to him since the New England D has been notorious for making silly mistakes. As for the defense, well they just need to follow the Tom Brady Edict, which involves tight coverage of the receivers and an attacking pass rush that disrupts Brady’s timing and/or sacks/hits him and if they pull all of that off, they have the upset. As for New England, well, if they want to win, they need to buckle down and execute for a change. For this team was sloppy at best in the back half of the season. Which means the receivers need to catch the ball, Brady needs to keep a level head and the D has to play tight football. As to whether or not that can be accomplished has yet to be seen, simply because the Patriots are a team in decline, and there is a real chance, they could be one and done in the playoffs.  

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
You know, this is quite the interesting matchup since both of these teams had wildly contrasting paths to the NFL Playoffs. For the Minnesota Vikings really did have an up and down year, one that saw their prized free agent QB go from villain to hero to villain once again with his inconsistent play. But their strong defense bailed them out on occasion, and they did just enough to reach the playoffs. But on the other hand, the New Orleans Saints were a force to be reckoned with all season long, since they dominated opponent after opponent on their way to another NFC South Division Title and really, their only fault this season is being in the NFC since this ultra-competitive conference offered no room for error and sadly, a couple of key losses allowed for a 13-3 team to become the number three seed.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME  
I hate to say it, but this really is New Orleans’ game to lose. Because they are a dynamic squad, one that knows how to win when a team pushes them and if the defense can continue to come up with big stops at the right time, and if they can confuse and frustrate Kirk Cousins and let Drew Brees be Drew Brees, they should advance to the Divisional Round no problem. But there is a path for the Vikings to win, provided of course a few key things happen. First and foremost, Cousins cannot get flustered in the slightest and needs to execute on every throwing down in order to find a rhythm against a Saints D that does like to offer up a little cushion. As for the defense, well they just need to control the damage that Brees is going to inflict, provided of course the offense puts up some points, and if they can make all of that happen, they have a shot at the upset. But more than likely, the Saints are going to win, simply because they are the better team. 

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
This game is another one that features some wildly dynamic teams thanks to the crazy year that the NFC went through. Because the Seattle Seahawks are a solid team and they won some big games in 2019. But a couple of late season surprises and a thrilling/heartbreaking season finale dropped the ‘Hawks to the number five playoff seed and well, they’re facing a Philadelphia squad that no one thought would be in the postseason all that long ago. After all, they were 5-4 in Week 10 before suffering a three-game losing streak that should have ended their season. But thanks to the failures of the Dallas Cowboys, this team realized they had a shot at the playoffs and took control of their own destiny and for their efforts, they locked up the division and a home game in the postseason.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
I think we can all agree upon the fact that more than likely, Philly is going to lose this game. I mean, they’re a good team, but the Seahawks are simply great. So, if Seattle lets their quarterback do his thing by land and by air, and the defense does a fine job of containing Carson Wentz, then they will likely be on their way to the Divisional Round. But… Philadelphia has been known to surprise teams on a whim and if they go aggressive on both offense and defense, they have a shot at winning this thing. Because Seattle has struggled in facing teams that outright attack them and for proof, look no further than the Arizona game since the Cardinals were relentless on their way to the upset. Either way, this one could be the surprise game of the weekend, and its outcome is riding on the mindset of the Philadelphia Eagles.