photo credit: The Ringer
That was the single most extraordinary weekend of games I have ever seen. Wow. Every single game ended on a walk-off play, three of them on field goals by the visiting team as time expired. That was sensational. However, not only was this weekend eminently entertaining. I think it was symbolic. The same weekend where Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers lost in embarrassing ways, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and, of course, Patrick Mahomes played brilliantly. The Chiefs-Bills game was the most fun-to-watch postseason game in quite some time. I think this weekend was a passing of the torch. Of course, it is possible that Aaron Rodgers gets traded to Denver, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, or somewhere else and has yet another MVP-year, and Tom Brady will continue to play elite football until Fieldston Students stop complaining about the cafeteria food, but this weekend was the time of the young guns. However, let’s break down these upcoming matchups next weekend.
NFC- San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Let’s be honest; very few people had this pegged as the championship matchup last week. But both the 49ers and the Rams played valiantly and certainly deserve to be here. The highlight of this matchup is Kyle Shanahan vs. Sean McVay. These two coaches revolutionized the way that offense is played in the NFL. So many NFL teams, including many very successful teams, have a head coach or offensive coordinator who runs offenses based on those run by McVay and Shanahan. (Many of these coaches and coordinators have even worked under one of the two wunderkinds.) Now, they go head to head, competing for the NFC title.
And, recently, Shanahan has had McVay’s number. The 49ers have won the last six matchups between the two NFC West teams. However, the Rams do have the better roster out of the two teams. But the Rams also had a better roster for their other two matchups against San Francisco this year and still lost both of those games. So, nothing is certain
But, despite the 49ers’ success against the Rams recently, the Rams should win this game. I like both the way the Rams’ offense matches up with the Buccaneers’ defense and how the LA defense matches up with the San Francisco defense.
The strength of the 49ers’ defense is that defensive line. They are generally able to generate pressure despite only rushing four players. However, that was also a strength of the Buccaneers’ defense. But despite all of the talent, the Buccaneers pass rush has, the Rams offensive line was consistently able to provide excellent pass protection for Matt Stafford. Stafford always had plenty of time to survey the field and make plays against Tampa Bay. And the Buccaneers have an even better defensive line than the 49ers, so the Rams offensive line is well prepared, proven, and confident going into this game. In addition, they may get their superstar left tackle, Andrew Whitworth, back from injury for this game. So, if the Rams can give Stafford protection, I think he can exploit the 49ers’ secondary, which certainly has a lot of holes.
The main reason that the 49ers’ defense had success against the Packers was that they only had one task: stop Devonta Adams. Of course, that is easier said than done, and they did a brilliant job in doing that and deserve full credit. The 49ers’ defense forced Aaron Rodgers to throw to other receivers, and he couldn’t find any other reliable set of hands. If San Francisco tried the same strategy with the Rams and decided to neutralize Cooper Kupp, that would mean Odell Beckham, Van Jefferson, and Tyler Higbee would step up and have great days. I don’t think the 49ers have either the star power or depth in the secondary to neutralize all of the Rams’ weapons. If the Rams offensive line gives Stafford time (which I think they should), he will be able to pick apart that 49ers’ defense.
I also think the Rams defense is well set up to take on the 49ers offense. The 49ers’ offense is based on their running game. They have elite run blocking, and Elijah Mitchell and Deebo Samuel are very explosive with the ball in their hands. This forces defenses to stack the box so their quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, can make easier throws. However, the Rams have one of the best run defenses in the league. They should be able to stop the run and make Garoppolo put the game on his shoulders, and I don’t trust him enough to win the game for his team. His decision-making is too inconsistent to win a game against a team as good as the Rams.
Final score prediction: Rams 33 – 49ers 21
Bold prediction: Garoppolo throws three interceptions
AFC- Bengals vs. Chiefs
This is going to be a fun one. If any game for the rest of the year has a chance to rival the Chiefs-Bills game in terms of entertainment level, it is this one. Both teams are playing at an absurdly high level, are led by elite quarterbacks, and have a great deal of momentum entering this game. We got a taste of what this game could be in week 17, and it was a thrilling matchup, but each of these teams got better in the preceding three weeks. The Chiefs demolished the Steelers then won a thrilling matchup against the formidable Buffalo Bills. The Bengals beat the Raiders, but then they took down the number one seed in the AFC. Joe Burrow played a great game, but the last-second heroics of their rookie kicker, Evan McPherson, put a jolt of energy into this team. With seconds left in the game, Cincinnati sent McPherson onto the field to kick a 52-yard field goal for the win. On the sideline, he walks up to his teammate and says, “it looks like we’re going to the AFC Championship game.” Then, he followed through with one swing of the leg.
I anticipate a very high-scoring game since the two teams are dependent on their offenses. However, both teams’ defenses are up-and-coming. However, even though they are two underrated units, the opposing team’s offense is better. I think this will be a relatively even match. The Chiefs have several advantages, but one of the biggest ones is Chris Jones should abuse the dismal interior offensive line of the Bengals. Guard and center are the Bengals’ biggest weakness, and we already saw how awful they are after Joe Burrow got sacked NINE times against the Titans. I think Chris Jones will get multiple sacks and tackle-for-losses. I don’t think the Bengals will be able to run it up the middle with too much success. I also expect Melvin Ingram to bully Isaiah Prince, the Bengals right tackle, for the whole game. And, of course, there is the Mahomes factor. Patrick Mahomes is incredibly, ineffably good at playing quarterback. He can turn every play, no matter how well his receivers are covered or how many men are in his face, into a positive play for Kansas City. It is unbelievable the plays that he makes. He should be able to have plenty of success against a group of cornerbacks that, outside of Chidobe Awuzie, doesn’t have too many difference-makers.
But the Bengals have their own set of reasons that they can win this game. The best way to stop the Chiefs offense is to run Cover 2 and get pressure with only four players rushing. Cincinnati has the personnel to do that. Orlando Brown, the left tackle for the Chiefs, can often be beaten with speed around the edge, and Hendrickson will be able to run around him to get to Mahomes, who loves to drop deep in the pocket. Look out for the battle of Cincinnati defensive tackle DJ Reeder vs. Kansas City center Creed Humphrey, as both are fantastic players. But the Chiefs’ biggest weakness is their secondary, especially with Tyrann Mathieu injured. Their cornerbacks and safeties have been struggling this year. The Chiefs’ below-average secondary is perfect for the Bengals, whose most vital position group is their receivers. I think that Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will light it up this week. Tyler Boyd should get his fair share of production too.
I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I think the Bengals win this one. I just don’t see how the Chiefs’ defense can stop this red-hot Bengals offense, and Cincinnati should be able to stop the Chiefs just enough. But overall, whoever has the last possession will win this game.
Final score prediction: Bengals 40 – Chiefs 37
Bold prediction: Burrow passes for more yards than Mahomes
