Blog

What a painful weekend that was. I went 4-2 in my predictions but that doesn’t matter when your team gets blown out by 30. However, we have no other choice but to move. Divisional round time now. Let’s get into it.

Saturday Games

No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals (11-7) at No. 1 Tennessee Titans (12-5) (4:30 p.m. EST)

First playoff win 31 years. It must feel great to be a Bengals fan right now. And I think Bengals fans will be even happier after this weekend. The Bengals have won their last four games with Joe Burrow as their starting quarterback and they’re going into this game with all the momentum in the world. Getting sack leader Trey Hendrickson back from concussion protocol will also be huge for them, as they’ll need to keep Titans quarterback Ryan Tanehill in the pocket. Burrow and Chase will be looking to touch another defense this weekend, as the Titans are currently ranked 25th in pass defense. However, this definitely doesn’t mean this is going to be some walk in the park for the Bengals. The Titans are possibly getting the best running back in the NFL back for the first time since week 8. Derrick Henry ran for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games. He still finished ninth in rushing yards this year without playing the final nine games of the season. The Bengals fifth-ranked rush defense will definitely have their hands full with King Henry. This will be an incredible game. The Bengals will try to do to the Titans what they did to the Ravens back in 2019. Walk into the first seed in the AFC’s house and take their throne. And I think they can do it.

Final Score: Bengals 27, Titans 23

No. 6 San Francisco 49ers (11-7) at No. 1 Green Bay Packers (13-4) (8:15 p.m. EST)

I want to pick the Niners to win this so bad, but I don’t know if Aaron Rodgers can lose at home in the divisional round. I know he can do it in the NFC Championship but I think the divisional loss might be a little too much dip on my chip. Speaking of NFC Championships, the last time Rodgers played this Niners team in the playoffs was at Levi Stadium in January of 2020. Raheem Mostert put on a clinic, rushing for 220 yards and four touchdowns, as the Niners advanced to eventually lose to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Jimmy Garoppolo completed six passes and only attempted eight in that game. This year will be different however. Mostert has been out since week 1 and the Niners have a whole different running back corps, which now includes wideout Deebo Samuel. The Packers will also be getting some major reinforcements this week. Za’Darius Smith, David Bahktiari, Randall Cobb, Whitney Mercilus & Jaire Alexander are all rumored to return this week. No matter who is on the field for each team, this game is going to be a good one to watch. The Niners are top 10 in both passing and rushing defense while the Packers defense is sitting right at 13th in total defense. I think the game will be close, but Rodgers will pull it off in the end.

Final Score: Packers 33, 49ers 24

Sunday Games

No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (13-5) at No. 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14-4) (3:30 p.m. EST)

The week three rematch has finally arrived. However, both teams look a little different. Both the Rams and Buccaneers have lost and added receivers. Both Robert Woods (ACL) and DeSean Jackson (Raiders) are gone for the Rams, but they added a free agent Odell Beckham Jr. in the middle of the season. OBJ has been a huge addition, scoring six touchdowns in nine games. On the Buccaneers side, it’s been a little more complicated. They’ve lost both Antonio Brown (released) and Chris Godwin (ACL), while adding former first-rounder Breshad Perriman to the rotation. Both teams manhandled their opponents last week and are going to clash for a NFC Championship berth. However ladies and gentlemen, I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, you don’t bet against Tom Brady in the playoffs. Bucs win.

Final Score: Buccaneers 23, Rams 20

No. 3 Buffalo Bills (12-6) at No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs (13-5) (6:30 p.m. EST)

That loss in Buffalo is still a fresh wound. However, I think their season will end in Arrowhead for the second year in a row. It’s a true dilemma with my hatred for the Bills and my fandom of Stefon Diggs. I’ve always liked Diggs ever since he came out of Maryland, but he plays for our rivals so it’s hard to walk the fence of rivalry and support. I want to see him succeed, but I can’t stand the thought of the Bills winning a Super Bowl. Regardless of all that, the Chiefs have to play a perfect game in order to win this weekend. The Bills aren’t the Steelers, you can’t end the first quarter 0-0 with an interception expecting to win. If the Chiefs want to win they’ll have to get out to a fast start and find a way to go up against the Bills #1 ranked defense. But if anyone can do it, it’s Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Final Score: Chiefs 28, Bills 22

Since the Patriots lost, I can take a deep breath and just enjoy football as a fan. I’m still very upset that Lamar Jackson isn’t in the playoffs (that’s who I would’ve been rooting for if the Patriots lost), but I’ve found a new team to go for this year. Besides Brady and the Bucs, I’m pulling for Joe Shiesty to bring it home for Cincinnati. On the NFC side it’s really all win-win situations for me. I obviously will always support Brady, but if the Bucs lose that means Odell will have a shot at a ring. And on the other side, I’m pulling for Deebo and Kittle but won’t be mad if Rodgers makes it incase this is his farewell season. Just anyone but the Bills. Please. Let us pray for the football fans of the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers. Imagine requesting to interview Ben McAdoo and Jay Gruden in the same week for offensive coordinator. I’d be fighting demons. This is YSN, until next time, signing out.