Possibly the best day of football all year. It’s the final 4 teams standing and it’s hard to make an
argument against these being the best 4 QBs in football.
We have some rematches from the first half of the season, but this time it’ll be much colder.
SUNDAY
NFC Championship:
5 Tampa Bay @ 1 Green Bay 3:05 p.m. ET - FOX
Jake: Bucs
We’re going to see a passing shootout in this one, as the Bucs rock-solid run defense
is going to neutralize Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon of the Packers. Rodgers has been
unbelievable this season, but he struggled in the Packers’ first matchup with the Bucs
this season, and he doesn’t exactly have the best track record in the playoffs. Meanwhile
it’s Tom vs Time for the Bucs offense, and Tom is unquestionably winning. Never bet
against playoff Tom.
Sam: Packers
Rodgers proved last week to anybody who didn't already know it, that he can play vs
good defenses. Even though the Bucs shut him down earlier this season I’m confident
it won't happen again. Rodgers WILL lead Green Bay to the end zone and if Brady wants
to win it’ll have to be a shootout, but I don’t think that's possible.
Johnny: Buccaneers
Obviously Antonio Brown is out, and Mike Evans might not know how to play in the cold,
but Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski do. Hard to pick against Brady in the playoffs. This
game should come down to the 4th quarter, we finally get to see these two in the
postseason. If Brady keeps throwing dimes down the field and also hits his guys on
quick routes too, the Bucs offense should stay in control.
AFC Championship:
2 Buffalo @ 1 Kansas City 6:40 p.m. ET - CBS
Jake: Chiefs
Since Mahomes is cleared to play, I think the Chiefs are primed to pick up the W in this
one. Josh Allen has had a fantastic season, and the Bills defense has steadily improved
throughout the year, but I just can’t justify betting against the Chiefs when they won the
Super Bowl last year, and went 14-1 this year with Mahomes at the helm.
Sam: Chiefs
At this point it looks very probable that Mahomes will play, and if he plays they’ll win. For
his whole career Mahomes has been a different level of beast in the playoffs and although
the Bills offense took a gigantic step forward this year, they still don't have what it takes to
keep up with him.
Johnny: Bills
The Chiefs have been due for a loss for a while. Last week, Stefanski and the Browns let
down Baker Mayfield big time, whether it was Chubb’s drops or Higgins fumbling out of
the endzone, Kansas City has gotten away with some stuff lately. On the other hand, the
Bills in the playoffs haven’t looked completely like the Bills of the regular season, but
they’ve found ways to win and will punch their ticket to Tampa Bay for a shot at the
Lombardi Trophy.