Written by John Edward Betancourt  Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that gets to spotlight what should be some incredible football. Because thankfully, the better teams won during Super Wild Card Weekend, and that means we should be in store for some hard fought, knockdown, drag it out playoff football this weekend. The kind that will drop our jaws with incredible plays and stunning moments and well, with that in mind… let’s not waste any more time and preview everything that the Divisional Round should have to offer us. Saturday’s Matchups AFC Divisional Matchup |
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HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
This is definitely a position in the playoffs that both of these teams had to work hard for. Because the Bengals had a bit of an up and down stretch in the middle of the season, where no one was certain that they would be a playoff team. But they buckled down and played some solid ball and lit it up in the Wild Card Round and now they take on the Tennessee Titans, who also had question marks surrounding them this year. Because Tennessee is built around Derrick Henry and when he went down with an injury, so many of us wondered if the Titans could overcome his loss and eventually, they did, and they managed to take home the AFC South Divisional Title on their way to becoming to becoming the number one overall seed in their conference as well.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Let’s be honest. This is Tennessee’s game to lose. Because they’re rested and they have Derrick Henry back in the lineup for this big game and well, with him running the ball and the defense playing well, it’s going to be tough for Cincy, but a win is possible. Provided of course, they can stop the best running back in the NFL. Because when the Titans cannot run the ball and have to put the passing game on QB Ryan Tannehill’s shoulders, they’re not the same team and they’re beatable and that’s how the Bengals walk out of this one a winner. But the fact of the matter is, Derrick Henry is going to bowl over that Bengal defense no problem and propel his team to the AFC Championship Game.
This is definitely a position in the playoffs that both of these teams had to work hard for. Because the Bengals had a bit of an up and down stretch in the middle of the season, where no one was certain that they would be a playoff team. But they buckled down and played some solid ball and lit it up in the Wild Card Round and now they take on the Tennessee Titans, who also had question marks surrounding them this year. Because Tennessee is built around Derrick Henry and when he went down with an injury, so many of us wondered if the Titans could overcome his loss and eventually, they did, and they managed to take home the AFC South Divisional Title on their way to becoming to becoming the number one overall seed in their conference as well.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Let’s be honest. This is Tennessee’s game to lose. Because they’re rested and they have Derrick Henry back in the lineup for this big game and well, with him running the ball and the defense playing well, it’s going to be tough for Cincy, but a win is possible. Provided of course, they can stop the best running back in the NFL. Because when the Titans cannot run the ball and have to put the passing game on QB Ryan Tannehill’s shoulders, they’re not the same team and they’re beatable and that’s how the Bengals walk out of this one a winner. But the fact of the matter is, Derrick Henry is going to bowl over that Bengal defense no problem and propel his team to the AFC Championship Game.
NFC Divisional Matchup
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, Wisconsin
8:15 p.m. EST – FOX
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HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
What is fascinating about this matchup, is that the teams involved took two very different paths to get to this point. For the Niners dealt with an up and down season. One that saw them lose a few tough games and put their QB of the future into the lineup a little earlier than they wanted. But eventually, they figured out a way forward and got hot at the right time and of course, they knocked the Cowboys out of the Wild Card Round, and they are taking on a Green Bay team, that is the toast of the NFC. Because the Packers were on cruise control most of the year since Aaron Rodgers came forth with a vengeance after a tough week one loss, allowing for his boys to lock up the NFC North once again and secure home field advantage in the playoffs.
KEYS TO THE GAME
This is another one where the home team has quite the advantage over its opponent. Because the Packers are playing well in every phase of the game and seemingly cannot be stopped. Which means that if the Niners want a shot at winning this game, they have to stick to a very particular plan. One that involves playing mistake free football in every way imaginable, alongside long and sustained drives, that end in points. Because they need to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field, and they need to keep pace with an offense that will score when it does touch the frozen tundra at Lambeau Field, and if they can do that, they have a shot. But in reality, Green Bay is going to host the NFC Championship Game, because they are just that much better than San Francisco.
What is fascinating about this matchup, is that the teams involved took two very different paths to get to this point. For the Niners dealt with an up and down season. One that saw them lose a few tough games and put their QB of the future into the lineup a little earlier than they wanted. But eventually, they figured out a way forward and got hot at the right time and of course, they knocked the Cowboys out of the Wild Card Round, and they are taking on a Green Bay team, that is the toast of the NFC. Because the Packers were on cruise control most of the year since Aaron Rodgers came forth with a vengeance after a tough week one loss, allowing for his boys to lock up the NFC North once again and secure home field advantage in the playoffs.
KEYS TO THE GAME
This is another one where the home team has quite the advantage over its opponent. Because the Packers are playing well in every phase of the game and seemingly cannot be stopped. Which means that if the Niners want a shot at winning this game, they have to stick to a very particular plan. One that involves playing mistake free football in every way imaginable, alongside long and sustained drives, that end in points. Because they need to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field, and they need to keep pace with an offense that will score when it does touch the frozen tundra at Lambeau Field, and if they can do that, they have a shot. But in reality, Green Bay is going to host the NFC Championship Game, because they are just that much better than San Francisco.
Sunday’s Matchups
NFC Divisional Matchup
Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, Florida
3:00 p.m. EST – NBC
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HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
Both of these teams found their way into the second round of the playoffs, through sheer domination. For the Rams, that involved beating the tar out of a divisional opponent. Since they utterly creamed the Arizona Cardinals and made Kyler Murray look like a rookie. As for the Bucs, well they just offered up a down home beatdown of the Philadelphia Eagles, exposing to the world that the Eagles need a few more pieces on offense and defense before they can properly compete in the tournament.
KEYS TO THE GAME
As for how these teams win… well that all revolves around one man, Tom Brady. Because there is a blueprint to beating him. In that, if you blanket his tight end, and play press cover on his receivers, you disrupt his perfectly timed game, bringing about frustration for #12. Plus, he doesn’t like being hit, so getting pressure and sacks is paramount to forcing Tom Terrific into critical mistakes. As for the Bucs, well they just need to let Tom be Tom and use his experience and leadership to guide the offense into the end zone often. Because he can outscore and outduel anyone. As for who wins, it is honestly hard to say. Because the Rams are legit and the Bucs are no slouch and this one might be decided by a late game drive, or a critical mistake.
Both of these teams found their way into the second round of the playoffs, through sheer domination. For the Rams, that involved beating the tar out of a divisional opponent. Since they utterly creamed the Arizona Cardinals and made Kyler Murray look like a rookie. As for the Bucs, well they just offered up a down home beatdown of the Philadelphia Eagles, exposing to the world that the Eagles need a few more pieces on offense and defense before they can properly compete in the tournament.
KEYS TO THE GAME
As for how these teams win… well that all revolves around one man, Tom Brady. Because there is a blueprint to beating him. In that, if you blanket his tight end, and play press cover on his receivers, you disrupt his perfectly timed game, bringing about frustration for #12. Plus, he doesn’t like being hit, so getting pressure and sacks is paramount to forcing Tom Terrific into critical mistakes. As for the Bucs, well they just need to let Tom be Tom and use his experience and leadership to guide the offense into the end zone often. Because he can outscore and outduel anyone. As for who wins, it is honestly hard to say. Because the Rams are legit and the Bucs are no slouch and this one might be decided by a late game drive, or a critical mistake.
AFC Divisional Matchup
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri
4:30 p.m. EST – CBS
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HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
This is ironically, another game featuring two teams that made their way to round two by utterly destroying their last opponents. Because the Buffalo Bills straight up embarrassed the Pats to get here. By outright having a perfect game plan that let them blow out the storied Patriots and as for the Chiefs, well they smacked around a woefully weak Pittsburgh Steelers squad. One whose QB had nothing left in the tank and now these two teams get a chance to beat up on each other in what some could consider to be a revenge game for the Bills. Since the Chiefs sent them packing during last year’s AFC Championship Game.
KEYS TO THE GAME
As to how these teams advance, is simple. For the Bills, they need to stick with last week’s game plan. Which means they need to unleash hell upon the Chiefs and show them they’re for real and not to be messed with. Because the Chiefs rarely deal with that kind of aggressive behavior and tend to struggle with it for certain. And putting them on their heels and taking advantage of every scoring opportunity while they catch their breath, will help Buffalo advance. As for the Chiefs, well they need to exercise patience. Which is difficult for them since they love to showcase their flash and dash offense. But Buffalo’s defense is full of confidence and calm, and they won’t give Patrick Mahomes that many opportunities. So, the Chiefs need to take them as they come and score as often as possible, because their suspect defense won’t do them any favors here. As to who wins, well this is another one that is up in the air since both teams’ feature QBs that will their teams to victory often and this is one that might come down to the old adage of, who wants it more.
This is ironically, another game featuring two teams that made their way to round two by utterly destroying their last opponents. Because the Buffalo Bills straight up embarrassed the Pats to get here. By outright having a perfect game plan that let them blow out the storied Patriots and as for the Chiefs, well they smacked around a woefully weak Pittsburgh Steelers squad. One whose QB had nothing left in the tank and now these two teams get a chance to beat up on each other in what some could consider to be a revenge game for the Bills. Since the Chiefs sent them packing during last year’s AFC Championship Game.
KEYS TO THE GAME
As to how these teams advance, is simple. For the Bills, they need to stick with last week’s game plan. Which means they need to unleash hell upon the Chiefs and show them they’re for real and not to be messed with. Because the Chiefs rarely deal with that kind of aggressive behavior and tend to struggle with it for certain. And putting them on their heels and taking advantage of every scoring opportunity while they catch their breath, will help Buffalo advance. As for the Chiefs, well they need to exercise patience. Which is difficult for them since they love to showcase their flash and dash offense. But Buffalo’s defense is full of confidence and calm, and they won’t give Patrick Mahomes that many opportunities. So, the Chiefs need to take them as they come and score as often as possible, because their suspect defense won’t do them any favors here. As to who wins, well this is another one that is up in the air since both teams’ feature QBs that will their teams to victory often and this is one that might come down to the old adage of, who wants it more.
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