NFL Divisional Round Predictions 2020: Our experts weigh in on which NFL teams are going to survive the next round.
Saturday
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers
4:35 p.m., NBC
Line: 49ers -7 | Total: 44.5
On Wild Card Weekend the Minnesota Vikings went into New Orleans and came out with a well-earned victory which most, including me, didn’t think was likely.
It was a game that was much more dominated by defense than expected as the Vikings held Drew Brees to 208 passing yards and forced him to commit two turnovers. I expect their game with the 49ers to also be a close game with both teams trying to establish their running game and playing solid defense.
The Vikings have been a bit inconsistent this year offensively, leading to some tension between Kirk Cousins and his receivers earlier in the season. Four of the Vikings losses came when they failed to score at least 20 points, whereas the 49ers only lost one game with less than 20 points on the board. After looking at the entire body of work this season I just trust the offense of the 49ers a bit more than the Vikings.
The 49ers are second in points scored this season at 29.9 points per game and they have found a way to get it done in most games. They do not lean on superstars and it has proven to be very effective for them this season as teams cannot key on stopping specific players. I expect a combination of Mostart, Samuel, and Kittle to lead the 49ers to victory over the Vikings on Saturday.
Prediction: 49ers 24, Vikings 17
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens
8:15 p.m., CBS
Line: Ravens -10 | Total: 46.5
I imagine that the difference in the Titans’ defensive preparation for their first playoff game against Tom Brady, and their second against Lamar Jackson, is a bit different.
To say that Brady and Jackson offer two different skill sets would be considered an understatement. Jackson has more rushing yards this season (1,206) than Brady has in 20 seasons (1,037). While Jackson is clearly a ridiculously talented runner, the thing that is most impressive is that he was able to throw for 36 touchdowns this season. He has been the ultimate riddle that very few teams have been able to solve and that will continue this weekend.
I do think that Derrick Henry and the Titans run game will have some success against the Ravens stout defense. This success should allow Ryan Tannehill some opportunities to find AJ Brown for a big play or two in the play-action passing game. In the end, though, I think the Titans’ inability to limit the big plays of Lamar Jackson will result in a close win for the Ravens.
Prediction: Ravens 27, Titans 24
Sunday
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
3:05 p.m., CBS
Line: Chiefs -10 | Total: 51
The Texans were able to scrape their way back and earn a hard-fought victory after trailing the Bills by 16 points in their wild card matchup.
They now get to travel to Arrowhead and face the 12-4 Chiefs, who are winners of their last six games. The two teams actually met in October at Arrowhead, with the visiting Texans leaving with a 31-24 victory. I do expect a similar score but with a different winner.
The Chiefs have been a different team of late, as they have matched a formidable defense with their explosive offense. In their last six games, they have outscored their opponents 167-69, winning most of the games convincingly. In comparison, the Texans were outscored 153-133 during that same six-week stretch.
I do expect Deshaun Watson and the Texans offense to be able to move the ball and generate and have some success in this one but I do not think they will be able to do enough. The Texans will struggle to stop the dynamic offense of the Chiefs with big plays from both Tyreke Hill and Damien Williams proving to be the biggest difference makers.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Texans 20
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
6:40 p.m., Fox
Line: Packers -4.5 | Total: 47
The Seahawks and Packers both come into this game with glaring weaknesses.
The Seahawks running back situation is a complete mess and that is apparent in the fact that they plan to feature Marshawn Lynch more this game.
The Packers have struggled to find a consistent playmaker at the receiver position to pair with Davante Adams and it has really limited their passing game this season.
The resumes of both quarterbacks speak for themselves and I fully expect them both to show up and play fairly even. Both teams have struggled against the run this season and rank in the bottom third in rush defense. I think this is where both teams are most susceptible and where the game will ultimately be won/lost.
The Packers have Aaron Jones, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards this season and is approaching 500 yards receiving as well. On the other hand, Marshawn Lynch has 41 yards rushing this year and averaged 1.2 yards per carry in the Seahawks wild card matchup.
I expect the ability of the Packers to exploit the run defense of the Seahawks and the inability of the Seahawks to do the same to be the deciding factor in this game.
Prediction: Packers 24, Seahawks 20
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