Written by: Chaim Cohen
Bengals vs. Titans
For our first game of the division round we had the Titans host the Bengals. Coming off a walk game winning field goal the Bengals entered this game with momentum and love the underdog vibes. The Titans are the #1 seed in the AFC but most people can agree that they are not necessarily the favorite to come out. The Titans also got back star running back Derrick Henry, who is averaging 104 yards per game this game. Although he played solid with 62 yards and a rush TD, the offensive MVP for the Titans had to be A.J. Brown who had himself a day with five receptions, 142 yards and a touchdown. The Titans defensive line was stellar versus the weak Bengals offensive line. They had Jefferey Simons, looking like T.J. Watt. Although the Bengals O-line struggled they still managed to get the win, with Jamarre Chase leading the team with 109 yards. The main reason they won had to be their defenses and special teams. Ryan Tannehill had his worst game of the season with a season high three interceptions. The biggest play in the game had to be when the Titans had the ball in a tie game and throws a pass intended for Nicholas Westbrook but it is intercepted by Logan Wilson, giving the Bengals the ball at the 48 yard line with 25 seconds left. This put the Bengals in perfect position to run a few plays and get rookie kicker, Evan Mcpherson ,an attempt from 52 which. As time expired he hit the field goal as he played a great game going 4/4 from field goals and hitting second playoff game winner in a row.
Packers vs. 49ers
For the second game on Saturday we had the #1 Packers hosting the #6 49ers. The Packers came into this game as 5.5 point favorites. Also the weather supposedly really favored Green Bay because it was something the 49ers were not used to (10 degrees) . The Packers also have reigning MVP and MVP favorite Aaron Rodgers and a great roster. Even though everything was pointing towards a Green Bay Packers win, this game did not go as expected. The Packer came out strong scoring on the first possession with a big possession from Devante Adams and then a rush touchdown from Dillion. After that though, they did not score another touchdown. Rodgers played a very mediocre game which for him is underperforming. The 49ers defense held their offense to under 300 yards and only 10 points. Although Rodgers did not perform greatly I think he 100% put the Packers in a position to win. However bad you may think Rodgers was playing, Garoppolo was playing even worse, he threw for 131 yards, zero touchdowns and an interceptions. Offensively the 49ers did not score a single touchdown. Garoppolo has been absolutely terrible in these playoffs and is fully a product of his defense and run game. He is the only quarterback still in the playoffs who is yet to throw a touchdown. Rodgers fully got sold by his special teams' performance. The Packers special team performed an absolute disaster class, it started off a failed blocking assignment on a field goal which got blocked right before halftime robbing the Packers of 3 points. The worst instance was with just under five minutes left in the game the Packers were punting and again did a terrible job on blocking and the punt was blocked. The worst part was watching the Packers players try and look for the ball and can't figure out where it is. This led to the 49ers scooping the ball up at the seven yard line and tying the game up at 10-10. After the initial screw up, if the Packers at least tackle them at the five yard line it is not guaranteed the 49ers scored. During the last play in the game the 49ers got into field goal range and kicked what would be the game winning kick. The Packers special teams again had an error. Although the Packers are likely not going to block the field goal either way, there is no excuse for having only 10 players on the field. It's the biggest play of the season, and you don't have the correct number of players on the field? Aaron Rodgers will likely get overpaid, but they still need to figure their stuff out. Assuming Rodgers gets a huge contract, Adams will want out and even if they tag him he will likely refuse to play. At that point best case scenario they trade him to his old college QB, Derek Carr and the Raiders. The 49ers on the other hand are headed to the NFC Championship and unless Garoppolo wakes up they will not be winning that game.
Rams vs. Buccaneers
In The first game on Sunday we had a very interesting game. The Rams came out dominating and at one point were up 27-3. At that point it seemed like they were a lock to win but after half Brady had other plans. Per usual Brady led his team to comeback and with under 45 seconds left. The Rams have zero momentum and get the ball back with 42 seconds left, tied at 27 a piece. At this moment it really seems like Brady has done Brady things with another heartbreaking comeback showing why he is the greatest ever. Well, Cooper Kupp had other plans. In those 42 seconds he had back to back receptions including the 44 yard bomb from Stafford to put the Rams in field goal range with just over 20 seconds to go. Matt Gay converts the field goal and the Rams win, in what looked like a Brady comeback. Kupp was absolutely the best player this game, racking up 183 receiving yards to go along with a touchdown. For the Bucs I would say Tom Brady played a B + performance while Mike Evans had his second 100 yards game in a row. The Rams will be playing the 49ers at home in what should be a solid game. For the Buccaneers, the future is not as stable as you might think it would be. Wide receiver Chris Godwin is a free agent this year and people are speculating he gets a big contract from another team and leaves. Mainly Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady may retire this offseason. Their backup, Kyle Trask, is very much a project QB and is likely very underdeveloped as of now. Before our own eyes we have maybe seen the Brady era end and the Bucs are back to the classic 9-7 team like they were with Jameis Winston.
Bills vs. Chiefs
I can confidently say that Bills vs. Chiefs was the GAME OF THE YEAR...unless you're a defensive coordinator. Both the Bills and Chiefs and coming off blowing out teams and their offenses have both been red hot. For the Bills, Steffon Diggs was pretty underwhelming, bringing in only one reception for seven yards. Either way they were more than fine, Gabriel Davis was electric hauling in 8 receptions for career high 204 four yards and four touchdowns. He scored all four touchdowns for the Bills and set many playoff records. For the Chiefs, the ball was a lot more spread around with Kelce, Hill, Hardman, Pringle, and Mahomes all scoring touchdowns. The game was very competitive on both sides but it got heated in the final two minutes of the fourth. With 1:54 left Gabriel Davis scored a 27 yard touchdown to go up 29-26, which had some people thinking the Chiefs would have one last possession. Tyreek Hill had other plans and took a slant route to the house for 64 yards putting the Chiefs up 33-29 with 1:02 left. With the Bills in full desperation mode, they convert a couple fourth downs and with 49 seconds left Josh Allen throws a laser to Davis for a 19 yard score. Now the Bills take back the lead at 37-33 with 13 seconds left. At this point everyone is speechless after witnessing a Josh Allen masterclass and putting the Bills in a position where it's almost impossible they lose. The Chiefs now have 13 seconds and one time out down 3. They come out and Mahomes finds Hill for 19 yards, then runs hurry up offense, calls a Kelce audible and hits him up the seam for a 25 yard gain and calls a timeout. This sets up a Harrison Butker 49 yard attempt which sends the game into overtime. With both offenses playing as well as they are, everyone watching knows whoever wins this coin toss wins the game. The Bills call tails but it was heads so the Chiefs receive the ball, and Mahomes marches down the field and hits Kelce for a touchdown from eight yards out. For the Bills moving on they don't have much to change. They are 100% in win now mode and are capable, although it would be helpful to get a stronger running game next season. Getting Tre'Davious White back will also be very helpful and I guess if they could call the coin flip better they might just get a ring next year. For the Chiefs they look to host the Bengals next Sunday in a game that they should be favored in but will likely be a close game.
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