The NFL Roundup 2020: Divisional Round – Day Two

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

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. 

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AFC Divisional Matchup
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri
3:05 p.m. EST – CBS 

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. 

NFC Divisional Matchup
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, Wisconsin
6:40 p.m. EST – FOX 

​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.