The NFL Roundup 2020: Divisional Round Recap

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

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.   

---