These matchups we all wanted (at least for me) have finally been set. The best young quarterback in Patrick Mahomes goes up against the best veteran quarterback in Tom Brady. The high-flying Drew Brees and the Saints, face the ground-and-pound Rams. Championship Sunday is set, and I’ll analyze each team’s divisional round game, conference championship game, and how they can move onto the Super Bowl. In addition, I’ll make game predictions as well.
#2 New England Patriots @ #1 Kansas City Chiefs
In a “snow bowl,” the Chiefs convincingly defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-13. Many saw the Chiefs defense as suspect. Kansas City had allowed 419 first downs in the regular season, which is 26 per game. However, they held the Colts to 15 first down plays. The statistically 31st-ranked defense also allowed only 13 points.
People were also suspicious of the Chiefs after the loss of RB Kareem Hunt. However, Damien Williams answered the call. The back-up rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown. With all the weapons the Chiefs have, no one saw Williams standing out. Mahomes played great, but surprisingly, was not a main factor for the win, as he didn’t throw a touchdown pass. Kansas City had a QB, RB, and WR score rushing touchdowns.
New England had one of their best games that I’ve seen in recent memory. The first half ended 35-7. The offense ran the ball down the throats of the Chargers. Rookie RB Sony Michel had 129 rushing yards and three touchdowns, with all of his scores coming in the first half. QB Tom Brady had 343 passing yards and only had to throw one touchdown. WR Julian Edelman had a season-high 151 receiving yards. RB James White who’s usually beating teams with his legs, notched 97 receiving yards himself.
The defense kept consistent pressure on Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers, which was just too much. The Chargers’ defensive style of seven defensive backs flopped. If you consistently go zone defense the way Los Angeles did, Bill Belichick will make you pay. Playoff Brady was in full effect and led the Pats to a 41-28 victory.
Now we have the Patriots and the Chiefs, Brady vs. Mahomes, and legend vs. prodigy. These two teams faced off in Week 6 of the regular season. The Patriots came out on top, 43-40, in a game of the year candidate. Everyone from Tyreek Hill to Chris Hogan had huge games for their respective teams in a scoring bonanza. This time around things will be different. The Chiefs are the first seed and are now at home for the rematch. Also, they’ll be without Kareem Hunt. To win this game, each team has different things they must bring to the table.
Keys to Victory
For Kansas City, the run game must come to play again. Damien Williams came through big in the Divisional Round and has to again if the Chiefs want to pull out a win. As great as Patrick Mahomes is, the Chiefs can’t rely on his arm the whole game.
With that, Tyreek Hill must also come through. We know his speed is lethal, but the Patriots defense is now in post-season form which is scary. CB Stephon Gilmore will likely be assigned Hill, so he must get the upper hand if the Chiefs want to have any chance. The defense also must perform the same way they did against the Colts. Kansas City has had one of the worst defenses in the league. If they don’t come through, Tom Brady and Co. will torch them.
The key for the Patriots might just be the run game. Sony Michel, James White, and Rex Burkhead all have to run through Kansas City in order to give the Pats their best chance at winning. In terms of the receiving game, Julian Edelman must stay consistent with multiple short gains, with big gains in between. And lastly, the x-factor, Rob Gronkowski. In the Divisional round, Gronk had only one catch, but the Patriots need all their weapons in this one. To me, Gronk is still capable of putting on clutch performances. That shouldn’t change here. He’ll be double-teamed, and the coverage will be significant, but Brady must find a way to get the ball to Gronk in order to give the Pats the best chance.
Final Prediction
So, what do I expect in this game? I expect a pure QB battle. In the freezing temperatures, I expect Mahomes and Brady to put on a show. The last time these teams met, it was a shootout. This should be the same. The cold will have an effect on the game, but nevertheless, it’s going to be a thriller.
Kansas City is at home, which means it’s going to be loud in Arrowhead. However, I’ll never bet against Brady and Belichick in the playoffs. In a thriller, and a close one, I see the Patriots coming out on top, and advancing to their third consecutive Super Bowl.
Final Score Prediction: New England Patriots 38-35 Kansas City Chiefs
#2 Los Angeles Rams @ #1 New Orleans Saints
The Saints had an underwhelming performance at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, they got it done with a 20-14 victory. All-Pro receiver, Michael Thomas stepped up. He feasted on the Eagles secondary for a playoff franchise-record 171 receiving yards (and a touchdown).
On the first play of the game, QB Drew Brees threw an interception. This resulted in a 14-0 lead for the Eagles. From there, the Saints went on a 20-0 run. The Saints steered away from their rushing game and focused more on Brees’ arm. He recorded 301 passing yards and two touchdowns.
CB Marshon Lattimore had two interceptions, one which, along with a 12-yard run by RB Alvin Kamara, sealed the game. This game clearly wasn’t the Saints’ best, but they came back to win the game anyway.
The Rams managed to win 30-22 against the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional round. They had two RBs go over 100+ rushing yards. RB Todd Gurley II was his usual self with 115 rushing yards and one touchdown. Gurley ran the ball down Dallas’ throat. However, he wasn’t even the best back on the field. It was the RB2, C.J. Anderson. Anderson had 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He had more carries than Gurley II and took full advantage of it by torching the Cowboys.
In addition to the hot run game, the Rams held the Cowboys to 1-10 on third down which is a testament to how great their defense has been. Lastly, comes QB Jared Goff. He didn’t have to do much due to the performance from the running game. He had only 185 passing yards, enough for the win.
Now, we have a rematch of a Week 9 match-up between the Rams and Saints. In that game, the Saints managed to pull out a 45-35 win in what was a thriller once again. The Rams were down 14-35 at the half and battled back to tie the game. After a FG and a 75-yard touchdown by Michael Thomas, the Saints sealed the deal at home. Both teams put up a combined 970 yards of total offense. Michael Thomas had a career-high 213 receiving yards. QBs Drew Brees & Jared Goff, WRs Brandin Cooks & Copper Kupp, as well as RB Alvin Kamara all contributed for their teams in this awesome game. What must each do in order to ensure the same result, or change the narrative?
Keys To Victory
Mark Ingram II and Alvin Kamara must put up big yards against the Rams front which includes DTs Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh. For other stars, WR Michael Thomas has to continue to eat. He had a career-high in yards when these two teams met and should look to do it again. The Rams will have CB Aqib Talib this time around, so it’ll be harder to get Thomas the ball. Drew Brees has to be accurate in this game, but when is he not?
Lastly, comes defense. The Rams’ offense has weapons all around them, and it’s a necessity that the Saints shut down Todd Gurley II down before he gets hot. The Saints are fast, but the Rams are too. They must create and play the game at their own pace and force the Rams to be patient or go fast with them.
The Rams have the talent to move on to the Super Bowl and must utilize them. Their run game must be established early. Todd Gurley II and C.J. Anderson must continue their hot starts to the post-season. Jared Goff isn’t going to get it done with just 185 passing yards. WR Brandin Cooks is going to have to come through big time.
LA now has Aqib Talib at their disposal, so Michael Thomas shouldn’t have another 211-yard game. DT Aaron Donald is an MVP candidate. This has to be a game where he further intensifies his name in conversations. Leading the league in sacks is great, but this is the stage where sacks matter most. Donald must be able to attack the league’s
Final Prediction
What a game this will be. There are weapons on both sides of the ball, and all I can say is we are in for a treat. As for the winner, I believe that the Saints, inside the Superdome, are just too good. I predict yet another close game, but a game where New Orleans comes out on top. Drew Brees is 40 years old, with no signs of slowing down. Brees, along with young assets around him, makes the team too dangerous. Jared Goff, Todd Gurley II, and Aaron Donald will make this a game, but in the end, Drew Brees will be in his second Super Bowl.
Final Score Prediction: New Orleans Saints 35-30 Los Angeles Rams
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We’re down to the final four. Championship Sunday will decide who’ll go to the grandest stage of them all, the Super Bowl. Lucky for us, all four top seeds have made it to their respective conference championships. Do you have a different opinion as to who will move onto the Super Bowl? Let me know.