The High Holy Days of the NFL

[_MeDotOrg]

Week 2 of the NFL playoffs is what I've always referred to as the High Holy Days of Football. Two great games on Saturday and Sunday. The NFC games were like, you know, normal. The Niners D-line was fully healthy and controlled the Vikings. Russel Wilson did his level best to show why he deserves to be in the running for MVP, but the lack of a running attack, despite the efforts of Marshawn Lynch, killed the Hawks. The Pack had enough to win at home.

The AFC games were both jaw-dropping for different reasons: #1 seed (14-2) plays a #6 seed (9-7) at home, 2 weeks rest, and the #6 seed Titans flat out beat the #1 seed Ravens. Personally, I was shocked. Lamar Jackson is like Patrick Mahomes crossed with a great juking running back. I thought you could see the tenor of the game when Jackson threw his first interception and got penalized for the horse-collar tackle. Baltimore looked disjointed and out of sync. Ryan Tannehill was not only a competent game manager, but also ran for a touchdown on an option play à la Lamar Jackson. But Derrick Henry has been a machine for the Titans. In his last 3 games against the Texans, Patriots and Ravens, Henry has run for 211, 182 and 195 yards. He is the best running back in the NFL.

In the AFC championship, Tennessee will face a passing attack that, if anything, is more daunting than the Titan's running game.

The Texans and Chiefs played a first half that was literally like no game in the history of the NFL. The Texans stormed out to a 24-0 lead at a stunned Arrowhead Stadium. In the second quarter the Chiefs awoke from their nap, and by the half Patrick Mahomes had thrown 4 touchdown passes, and the Chiefs were up 28-24. The Chiefs were aided and abetted by the Texans' boneheaded attempted fake punt, which failed, giving the KC great field position at a time when the Texans had little to gain and a lot to lose.

No team has ever trailed by 24 and come back to lead at the half in the history of the National Football League.

The second half was basically more of the same for Kansas City, who ended up winning by 20 (51-31). The AFC championship will be a classic match-up of arguably the best running attack against the best passing attack.

I'm trying to find a reason to like the Packers over the Niners, but it's hard for me to see one. Aaron Rogers is the biggest Packer weapon, but he spent a lot time on his back in their first meeting (won by the 49ers 37-8) and the Niner D-line is, if anything, stronger. Scramblers like Lamar Jackson or Russel Wilson are the greatest threats to a defense like the 49ers.

So I like the 49ers. Kansas City and Tennessee...much closer. I give then nod to Patrick Mahomes at home, but if the weather is windy or there is snow on the ground, it starts to favor Tennessee and Henry's running game. Could be a helluva game.

Last thought: Feels like the passing of the guard. Drew Brees and Tom Brady handing off to Jackson, Mahomes, DeShaun Watson...

Predictions for the Championship games?

[_moksha]

Predictions for the Championship games?

Titans vs Packers

[_honorentheos]

Niners v. Chiefs seems like the most exciting Superbowl option of the potential matchups. Chiefs with the W.

[_Some Schmo]

I like the Niners over the Titans.

I'm surprised the Chiefs won yesterday; they are notorious playoff chokers, and since they won yesterday, they've matched their record and are due to lose next week.

The Packers were actually lucky to maintain the lead yesterday against an incredibly depleted Seattle team. They're going to have to play much better next week against the Niners, and given they're on the road, I don't see them with a hope in hell. The Niners were by far the strongest team in the Divisional round. It's hard to imagine how anyone is going to beat that defense.

I think the Titans will make the first half of the SB interesting, but it'll be all Niners in the second half.

[_Brackite]

I think that it will be the Chiefs and the Niners in the coming Superbowl.

[_Some Schmo]

I think that it will be the Chiefs and the Niners in the coming Superbowl.

This is what I'd like to see. I've just had my hopes dashed by way too many KC Chiefs teams over the years to believe they'll even make the Super Bowl. I won't believe in them until they win a Super Bowl.

Their problem is consistency. They have all the talent in the world, but they are very susceptible to having a letdown on any given Sunday, for some unspecified reason. It's in the Chief DNA. I can't think of another team who has historically underachieved in the playoffs like they have.

Yesterday they played well, once the game started in the second quarter... but there was that first quarter, too. That's also the Chiefs.

Which kind of Chiefs will dominate next week?

ETA: I also have to add that I think the Titans are a very hot team right now, playing much better than the Texans, and that doesn't bode well for a team who can easily be psyched out like KC.

[_Lemmie]

Meanwhile, the college championship is pretty exciting.

[_moksha]

Meanwhile, the college championship is pretty exciting.

It was great. LSU dethrones Clemson!

[_Dr Exiled]

My son (11) won $20 betting on LSU against his buddy. He's excited.

[_Lemmie]

That was some game. Wow.