NFL Picks, Divisional Round
Well, last week started pretty well. The Texans rallied from a 16–0 hole, and the Titans pulled it off in New England. So I was feeling pretty good about my weekend, and starting off perfect. Then a funny thing happened in New Orleans, as the pick that was easiest for me to make started to go south in a hurry.
When Kyle Rudolph grabbed the ball in the end zone, my dreams of a perfect week, and a perfect playoffs, went out the window. The Seahawks won, so that worked well, but I finished the week 3–1.
This weekend there is another four games with some intriguing matchups. Can I stretch my record to 7–1? Let’s find out together.
Saturday Games:
Minnesota Vikings (11–6) at San Francisco 49ers (13–3)
About: The Vikings shouldn’t be here. They were a six seed that was a tremendous under dog in New Orleans last week. And yet, they pulled it off. Kirk Cousins, dogged his whole career for his lack of stepping up when it counts, delivered a great drive in overtime to secure the win. Can he do it again? Stefon Diggs has missed practice with illness, and Adam Thielen got hurt in practice. That’s not a great sign. But with Dalvin Cook and a little luck, it’s possible. The thing is, the 49ers at the NFC’s top seed for a reason. They’re rested and talented, and they’ve been a tough beat at home. I think the Vikings are better than I gave them credit for, but I think the 49ers are possibly the best NFC bet left for the Super Bowl.
The Pick: 49ers 30, Vikings 20
About: The Vikings shouldn’t be here. They were a six seed that was a tremendous under dog in New Orleans last week. And yet, they pulled it off. Kirk Cousins, dogged his whole career for his lack of stepping up when it counts, delivered a great drive in overtime to secure the win. Can he do it again? Stefon Diggs has missed practice with illness, and Adam Thielen got hurt in practice. That’s not a great sign. But with Dalvin Cook and a little luck, it’s possible. The thing is, the 49ers at the NFC’s top seed for a reason. They’re rested and talented, and they’ve been a tough beat at home. I think the Vikings are better than I gave them credit for, but I think the 49ers are possibly the best NFC bet left for the Super Bowl.
The Pick: 49ers 30, Vikings 20
Tennessee Titans (10–7) at Baltimore Ravens (14–2)
About: Last week was magical. Derrick Henry rolled for 182 yards, and the Titans and coach Mike Vrabel took down the Patriots and, possibly, ended a dynasty. But the Ravens, and Lamar Jackson, have been the NFL’s best team all season. They won 12 straight games to close the regular season, and Jackson was incredible. He set a new standard at QB, and new records, and he’s had a few weeks to rest, recover and prepare. And let’s not forget that coach John Harbaugh has been to the playoffs, and won a Super Bowl, before. He’ll be ready. The Titans have had a great season, and they’ve been fun, but it will take a lot more than what we saw last weekend to get past the Ravens.
The Pick: Ravens 35, Titans 20
About: Last week was magical. Derrick Henry rolled for 182 yards, and the Titans and coach Mike Vrabel took down the Patriots and, possibly, ended a dynasty. But the Ravens, and Lamar Jackson, have been the NFL’s best team all season. They won 12 straight games to close the regular season, and Jackson was incredible. He set a new standard at QB, and new records, and he’s had a few weeks to rest, recover and prepare. And let’s not forget that coach John Harbaugh has been to the playoffs, and won a Super Bowl, before. He’ll be ready. The Titans have had a great season, and they’ve been fun, but it will take a lot more than what we saw last weekend to get past the Ravens.
The Pick: Ravens 35, Titans 20
Sunday Games:
Houston Texans (11–6) at Kansas City Chiefs (12–4)
About: The Texans were in a huge hole, at home against Buffalo last week. But they rallied thanks to a huge effort from Deshaun Watson, who guided them to a win in overtime. Now they travel to Kansas City. The Chiefs, thanks to a timely win by the Dolphins and a great win earlier in the year in New England, made it to the second seed. They have Patrick Mahomes, and Andy Reid, and they have home field advantage. The thing is, the Texans have won in Kansas City before — including earlier this regular season. So they’ve got a shot. And they’ve got some momentum after winning in Wild Card weekend. This should be a good, close game. But I think the Chiefs got stronger as the season progressed, and they’ve got their weapons back. They will be too tough to beat at home again.
The Pick: Chiefs 31, Texans 27
About: The Texans were in a huge hole, at home against Buffalo last week. But they rallied thanks to a huge effort from Deshaun Watson, who guided them to a win in overtime. Now they travel to Kansas City. The Chiefs, thanks to a timely win by the Dolphins and a great win earlier in the year in New England, made it to the second seed. They have Patrick Mahomes, and Andy Reid, and they have home field advantage. The thing is, the Texans have won in Kansas City before — including earlier this regular season. So they’ve got a shot. And they’ve got some momentum after winning in Wild Card weekend. This should be a good, close game. But I think the Chiefs got stronger as the season progressed, and they’ve got their weapons back. They will be too tough to beat at home again.
The Pick: Chiefs 31, Texans 27
Seattle Seahawks (12–5) at Green Bay Packers (13–3)
About: The Seahawks have been road warriors in 2019. They went 7–1 in the regular season, and then won 17–9 in Philadelphia last week. They move on to Green Bay, and the game won’t be too big for Russell Wilson or Pete Carroll. But they’re still a wounded team, and they need to get more out of the running game with Marshawn Lynch and Travis Homer than they got in Philadelphia. That won’t be an easy task facing a Packers team that went 13–3, is at home and still led by Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones and Davante Adams. Seattle has had a fine year, but I think this will be too much for them.
The Pick: Packers 27, Seahawks 17
About: The Seahawks have been road warriors in 2019. They went 7–1 in the regular season, and then won 17–9 in Philadelphia last week. They move on to Green Bay, and the game won’t be too big for Russell Wilson or Pete Carroll. But they’re still a wounded team, and they need to get more out of the running game with Marshawn Lynch and Travis Homer than they got in Philadelphia. That won’t be an easy task facing a Packers team that went 13–3, is at home and still led by Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones and Davante Adams. Seattle has had a fine year, but I think this will be too much for them.
The Pick: Packers 27, Seahawks 17
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