Written by John Edward Betancourt  Something that every football fan can agree upon, is that the playoffs are truly the most exciting time of the NFL calendar year. Simply because this is it, winner take all, lose and go home and those particular mantras allow for some hard-fought football to take place as teams do their best to try and advance to the next round. But this year, it really seems as though there is more excitement surrounding the playoffs than usual and I think that is related to the fact that the remaining teams in the tournament, are top-notch to say the least. Which means that we are likely in for some epic games, the kind that will offer up some high scores and thrilling finishes and with that in mind, let’s dive right in and preview all of the matchups that await us, in the Divisional Round. NFC Divisional Matchup |
 |  |
HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
This particular matchup features a pair of teams that took some unique paths to get to this particular point. The Los Angeles Rams for instance, had to fight tooth and nail to get here, since their regular season wasn’t as dominant as they had hoped. But they did just enough to get in, and they did get a big win in the Wild Card round over a divisional rival, and they will take on a team that breezed their way into the playoffs. Because outside of a couple of off games, the Packers straight up dominated the NFC this year, to the point where they earned the number one seed and the bye, and they hope that the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field will give them an edge as they work to advance to the NFC title game.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Speaking of an edge, it will take more than mere weather for the Packers to win this game. Because their biggest flaw this year, is that they were a little TOO confident at times and took teams that they deemed ‘beneath’ them for granted. Which in turn led to some epic upsets and ugly losses and really that’s something they cannot do here. Because the Rams are hungry to advance, and they will fight hard. But in reality, this is Green Bay’s game to lose, because they have the better defense and the better offense for certain. Plus, Jared Goff isn’t at one hundred percent just yet and that likely means that the Packers are going to advance to the NFC Championship Game.
This particular matchup features a pair of teams that took some unique paths to get to this particular point. The Los Angeles Rams for instance, had to fight tooth and nail to get here, since their regular season wasn’t as dominant as they had hoped. But they did just enough to get in, and they did get a big win in the Wild Card round over a divisional rival, and they will take on a team that breezed their way into the playoffs. Because outside of a couple of off games, the Packers straight up dominated the NFC this year, to the point where they earned the number one seed and the bye, and they hope that the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field will give them an edge as they work to advance to the NFC title game.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Speaking of an edge, it will take more than mere weather for the Packers to win this game. Because their biggest flaw this year, is that they were a little TOO confident at times and took teams that they deemed ‘beneath’ them for granted. Which in turn led to some epic upsets and ugly losses and really that’s something they cannot do here. Because the Rams are hungry to advance, and they will fight hard. But in reality, this is Green Bay’s game to lose, because they have the better defense and the better offense for certain. Plus, Jared Goff isn’t at one hundred percent just yet and that likely means that the Packers are going to advance to the NFC Championship Game.
AFC Divisional Matchup
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Bills Stadium – Orchard Park, New York
Saturday, January 16, 2021 – 8:15 p.m. EST – NBC
 |  |
HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
What makes this game exciting and intriguing, is the sheer fact that these two teams share in some common themes when it comes to their journey to the playoffs. In that, they simply did not give up in the slightest all season long and hung with tough opponents and found ways to win when it matters most. And for their efforts, they now find themselves facing off in the Divisional Round, and the sheer tenacity of these two teams, will likely make this particular game the finest of this particular round. Because this game is the personification of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object and that’s a wonderful thing for fans everywhere.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Let’s be honest here, these are two evenly matched teams, that both feature dynamic quarterbacks. The kind that can take off and run or drop a dime in the end zone if they so choose. Which means that it is difficult to say which team has the edge, because both squads really do play similar styles of football. But someone has to win this game and advance to the AFC Championship Game, and while it isn’t easy to say which one will advance, it is easy to see that defense will be the key to securing a win. Because both of these teams employ ye olde ‘bend but don’t break’ mentality on the defensive side of the ball. Which means that the first D that tightens up and shuts the opposing offense down, is the one that will send their team to the next round of the playoffs.
What makes this game exciting and intriguing, is the sheer fact that these two teams share in some common themes when it comes to their journey to the playoffs. In that, they simply did not give up in the slightest all season long and hung with tough opponents and found ways to win when it matters most. And for their efforts, they now find themselves facing off in the Divisional Round, and the sheer tenacity of these two teams, will likely make this particular game the finest of this particular round. Because this game is the personification of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object and that’s a wonderful thing for fans everywhere.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Let’s be honest here, these are two evenly matched teams, that both feature dynamic quarterbacks. The kind that can take off and run or drop a dime in the end zone if they so choose. Which means that it is difficult to say which team has the edge, because both squads really do play similar styles of football. But someone has to win this game and advance to the AFC Championship Game, and while it isn’t easy to say which one will advance, it is easy to see that defense will be the key to securing a win. Because both of these teams employ ye olde ‘bend but don’t break’ mentality on the defensive side of the ball. Which means that the first D that tightens up and shuts the opposing offense down, is the one that will send their team to the next round of the playoffs.
AFC Divisional Matchup
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri
Sunday, January 17, 2021 – 3:05 p.m. EST – CBS
 |  |
HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
Ironically enough, the Sunday opening game, features another pair of teams that arrived in the playoffs in a supremely polarizing manner. For the Kansas City Chiefs basically picked up where they left off last year, by smacking teams around left and right and for their efforts, they only lost twice in 2020 on their way to locking up the #1 seed in the AFC. As for the Browns, well they got in the hard way. Because some early season disappointment put them a little bit behind the curve, but something clearly clicked in their locker room late in the season and they simply went on a dominating tear. The kind that saw them finally own the Pittsburgh Steelers in an epic manner on their way to the Divisional Round.
KEYS TO THE GAME
While the Cleveland Browns have indeed been the feel-good story of the playoffs, this is sadly likely the end of their Cinderella story. Simply because this is Kansas City’s game to lose, and they are one supremely talented team through and through. Because they excel in all three phases of the game and they are itching to repeat as Champs. But it is possible for Cleveland to win this game, provided a few key things come into play. First and foremost, they need to put up points like they did in the Wild Card Round. Because the Chiefs can score when they please and that also means that the Browns defense has to step up and play some stout football. So, if they can score heavy and slow the Chiefs down, they’ve got a chance at winning this thing. But more than likely, the Chiefs will have this one in the bag, because they are the better team.
Ironically enough, the Sunday opening game, features another pair of teams that arrived in the playoffs in a supremely polarizing manner. For the Kansas City Chiefs basically picked up where they left off last year, by smacking teams around left and right and for their efforts, they only lost twice in 2020 on their way to locking up the #1 seed in the AFC. As for the Browns, well they got in the hard way. Because some early season disappointment put them a little bit behind the curve, but something clearly clicked in their locker room late in the season and they simply went on a dominating tear. The kind that saw them finally own the Pittsburgh Steelers in an epic manner on their way to the Divisional Round.
KEYS TO THE GAME
While the Cleveland Browns have indeed been the feel-good story of the playoffs, this is sadly likely the end of their Cinderella story. Simply because this is Kansas City’s game to lose, and they are one supremely talented team through and through. Because they excel in all three phases of the game and they are itching to repeat as Champs. But it is possible for Cleveland to win this game, provided a few key things come into play. First and foremost, they need to put up points like they did in the Wild Card Round. Because the Chiefs can score when they please and that also means that the Browns defense has to step up and play some stout football. So, if they can score heavy and slow the Chiefs down, they’ve got a chance at winning this thing. But more than likely, the Chiefs will have this one in the bag, because they are the better team.
NFC Divisional Matchup
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, Louisiana
Sunday, January 17, 2021 – 6:40 p.m. EST – FOX
 |  |
HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
Now, what makes this particular matchup so worth our while and so incredibly fascinating, is that this is a playoff matchup that came together strictly by way of the letters, Q and B. Because the quarterbacks are exactly why these two teams are in the playoffs. For Taysom Hill and Drew Brees worked in tandem to pick defenses apart to ensure a spot in the tournament, and the Bucs simply went out and got themselves a six-time Super Bowl Champion in order to improve their chances. And now these two titans meet for the third time this season to determine who is the true champion of this suddenly saucy, divisional rivalry.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Once again, this is a game that will come down to defense. Because we already know that TB and DB are going to drop bombs all day long and find open receivers, and make incredible plays happen. Which means the D on both sides has to figure out how to shut down the legend they’re facing and oddly enough… New Orleans has the edge there. Simply because there is a blueprint to beating Mister Brady. So, if the Saints can apply some pressure and hit him and play tight man cover on his receivers, then they have a shot at winning this game. As for which team advances to the title game from here, well I simply haven’t a clue. Because Brady and Brees have seen it all and done it all, and they’re both eager to snag one more title before they leave the NFL and that likely means we’re in for an intense matchup for certain, one that will likely come down to the wire.
Now, what makes this particular matchup so worth our while and so incredibly fascinating, is that this is a playoff matchup that came together strictly by way of the letters, Q and B. Because the quarterbacks are exactly why these two teams are in the playoffs. For Taysom Hill and Drew Brees worked in tandem to pick defenses apart to ensure a spot in the tournament, and the Bucs simply went out and got themselves a six-time Super Bowl Champion in order to improve their chances. And now these two titans meet for the third time this season to determine who is the true champion of this suddenly saucy, divisional rivalry.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Once again, this is a game that will come down to defense. Because we already know that TB and DB are going to drop bombs all day long and find open receivers, and make incredible plays happen. Which means the D on both sides has to figure out how to shut down the legend they’re facing and oddly enough… New Orleans has the edge there. Simply because there is a blueprint to beating Mister Brady. So, if the Saints can apply some pressure and hit him and play tight man cover on his receivers, then they have a shot at winning this game. As for which team advances to the title game from here, well I simply haven’t a clue. Because Brady and Brees have seen it all and done it all, and they’re both eager to snag one more title before they leave the NFL and that likely means we’re in for an intense matchup for certain, one that will likely come down to the wire.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.
Archives
August 2024
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
April 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
May 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
May 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
July 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
October 2013
September 2013
RSS Feed