Monday, November 25, 2024
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NFL Divisional Round Picks

sportstimesanddimes

More football comes our way. Last week. the wildcard round took place, with all games being extremely intense. Two games went to overtimes, the other two were dependent on last second drives. Ultimately. the Seahawks, Vikings, Titans, and Texans all came out of the weekend with a victory. This sets up a series of even more invigorating games. Can Derrick Henry put up another monster performance? Can the Vikings pull off yet ANOTHER miracle? We will soon get to know the answers to that. For now, enjoy the article.  

Milan Varia - @sportstimesanddimes

Minnesota Vikings @ San Francisco 49ers

Coming off another upset win in New Orleans, the Vikings have all the momentum on their side, but they face a 49ers team with a lot of players returning from injury. Of those returning, most impactful is Kwon Alexander. After tearing his pectoral on Halloween night, he has worked day in and out to return to this game. Kwon has some of the best coverage skills, and has a big impact on his team – in games he has played opposing offenses scored only 12.8 PPG on 241 total yards per game, and without him playing teams score 25+ PPG and 322 total yards per game – and looks to keep at it. The entire defense in itself has a clutch gene, with seven of there last 8 games coming down to the last possession, and losing only once in that stretch to the Ravens and the Falcons. The Vikings look to contend just as hard against one of the best defensive units in the NFL. Dalvin Cook presents the biggest threat. This game will be a nailbiter, and emulates a similar feel to Falcons-Eagles a few years ago. 

Final Score: Minnesota Vikings 17 – 14 San Francisco 49ers; Vikings win 

Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens

This game will display some of the league’s best talent at running the ball. Lamar Jackson will go toe-to-toe with Derrick Henry in what could be a rushing battle of the ages. Henry totalled 204 total yards last week, 184 coming of runs against a stout Patriots D. Lamar set the new QB single season rushing record with 1206 yards. Yet the Ravens stifling pass defense would be a lot to handle for Tannehill. Against any other team, I might have the Titans, but the Ravens possess way too much firepower for any sort of containment

Final Score: Tennessee Titans 16 – 28 Baltimore Ravens

Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
 The next battle displays the talents of two talented quarterbacks leading a star-studded passing attack, each playing defenses that have had their ups and downs. This has the greatest shootout potential of all games. Texans are coming off a miracle of their own, in a nail-biter down 16-0 and won it all in OT. The Chiefs head into the game seeking revenge for a 31-24 loss earlier in the season. It may indeed be Mahomes time to shine, and Andy Reid will coach up an excellent gameplan. Everything seems to be favoring them. The Texans are inexperienced with a coach who has been known to struggle in big moments. But I think that’s the more reason to pick them. Everything is riding against them, but they’ve done it once. Carlos Hyde will have to serve an a unsuspecting hero in Saturday’s game. Watson and Hopkins will be in stride the entire time. In a close finish, Texans will win this game.
 
Final Score: Houston Texans 36 – 34 Kansas City Chiefs
Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers
Thanks to Seattle’s week 17 loss, they get to face the Packers, who I’ve personally been doubting all year. Throughout the regular season I did not see there contender appeal. Wilson has simply performed better than Aaron Rodgers in every facet. The Seahawks, however, barely managed to beat one of the most injured teams in the league. The Seahawks almost lost to Josh McCown. And with their own team being banged up in it’s own ways, the Packers present too much of a challenge. Rodgers is a different beast in the playoffs, and the defense has been becoming more and more suffocating by the minute. Packers win at home to close the Divisional Round
 
Final Score: Seattle Seahawks 17 – 30 Green Bay Packers