Score Predictions for the 2020 Divisional Round
If the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs is anything like the Wild Card, football fans are in for a real treat. The eight remaining teams will play on Saturday and Sunday to determine who plays for a spot in the Super Bowl. Here are my picks for the Divisional round.
Minnesota at San Francisco (-6.5) Saturday, 4:35 PM ET
Kirk Cousins finally proved he can, as Santana Moss once so elegantly put it, make big time plays in big time games. After leading the Vikings to an OT win in New Orleans, he was finally able to yell out “You Like That!” For the first time since he was a member of the Washington Redskins. Dalvin Cook looked like himself, and Adam Thielen came up clutch when it mattered most. Along with the defense holding the red-hot Saints to two touchdowns, the Minnesota Vikings looked like a formidable Super Bowl contender.
However, they have to play the San Francisco 49ers. In San Francisco. Who likes that? The 49ers do.
San Francisco has proven time and time again that they are the best team in the NFC. Even in their three losses, they never looked overmatched. They have a stellar quarterback, a solid group of running backs, a star tight end, and a top tier defense. Although the Vikings have all the confidence in the world right now, the 49ers have too many weapons at the skill positions for Minnesota to handle.
Give me San Francisco, but I think Minnesota will cover the spread on a garbage time touchdown.
Bold prediction: Both quarterbacks will throw multiple interceptions, one of which will be returned for a touchdown. Both teams finished in the top six in takeaways during the regular season, and both Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo have thrown multiple interceptions in a game this season. Look out for some big plays on defense by both teams.
Minnesota 22, San Francisco 28
Tennessee at Baltimore (-10) Saturday 8:15 PM ET
Part of me wants to say that this is going to be a close game. Even though Tennessee barely made the playoffs, they are here for a reason. Their defense can make plays, and their offense has been revamped by Ryan Tannehill under center, and Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry looked like a monster that couldn’t be contained against New England. Along with OROY candidate AJ Brown, and defensive studs Logan Ryan and Kevin Byard, this Titans squad looks dangerous.
The Titans feel invincible. So do the Ravens.
You can’t argue with a 14-2 record, the likely-to-be MVP, and 11 other Pro Bowlers. While Tennessee, like the Vikings, have all the confidence in the world, the Ravens are the far superior team. While the Titans may feel like they can stop anyone after shutting down Tom Brady, Lamar Jackson is a whole different animal (with all due respect to Tom Brady). This isn’t the game where the Ravens offense is figured out. Sorry, Tennessee, but your Super Bowl dreams end in Baltimore.
Bold prediction: Tennessee will lead at halftime, but the Ravens will explode in the second half behind over 200 scrimmage yards from Lamar Jackson.
Tennessee 20, Baltimore 38
Houston at Kansas City (-9.5), Sunday 3:05 PM ET
I think this game is going to be a lot closer than many people expect. The Chiefs are without Juan Thornhill, one of their best defensive playmakers, and the Chiefs running game has been inconsistent. The Texans have a healthy J.J. Watt, a playmaking quarterback, and arguably one of the top three receivers in football. They showed great resilience, and I think they will carry that into Kansas City
However, I think the Texans are going to fall juuuust short. Here’s why.
I believe whichever team’s offensive line can give their quarterback the best chance to make plays is the team that is going to win. The Texans have given up almost double the amount of sacks the Chiefs have (49 to 25), including seven sacks against a formidable Bills pass rush. I think Patrick Mahomes stays in his element, even with a solid defense in front of him. This game will come down to the final possession. It’ll be one of those games where the Texans get the ball in the final three minutes and you realize “They can take the lead?”. The Chiefs get a late stop, and they move on to the AFC Championship Game.
Bold Prediction: Travis Kelce will have more catches than Deandre Hopkins and Will Fuller combined. Kelce has been a cornerstone piece of this Kansas City offense for quite some time. I believe Mahomes will be looking his way often if Tyreek Hill and Demarcus Robinson are unable to find anything deep.
Houston 27, Kansas City 30
Seattle (+4) at Green Bay, Sunday 8:15 PM ET
If I were to pick one game out of the four Divisional games to go into overtime, it’s this one. Both teams have struggled offensively and have decent defenses. Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson will have to create some playoff magic if they want to live to see another day.
In order for the Seahawks to win, their running backs must step up. Travis Homer looked like a deer in headlights last game against the Eagles, gaining twelve yards on eleven carries. If the Seahawks get anywhere near the goal line, they need to utilize Marshawn Lynch. Although Russell Wilson is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, he can’t keep throwing it to D.K. Metcalf all game long.
In order for the Packers to win, someone not named Davante or Aaron has to have an impact on the offensive side of the ball. Whether that be Jimmy Graham, Geronimo Allison, MVD, whoever, they have to become another reliable option.
When all the dust settles, I believe it will be the team that makes the fewest mistakes will come out victorious. Lambeau field will be rocking, and there’s snow in the forecast, too, which should make for a rather entertaining football game. I’ll take the Packers in a rock fight, because I think the two Aarons will make some big plays late, and I believe the Packers offseason defensive additions will step up as well.
Bold prediction: Seattle and Green Bay will combine for less than ten first half points. I think the weather will play a big part in this game, even though the Packers are more used to it than the Seahawks. There’s going to be a lot of drops, and there will probably be a fumble or two as well.
Seattle 13, Green Bay 17