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It is unimaginable to label NFL Tremendous Wild-Card Weekend as something however simply that: tremendous. It was a tumultuous 2020 season, to say the least, however the NFL was capable of push by way of the raging COVID-19 pandemic and the ravages thereof to finish its 256-game common season slate. The primary weekend of the playoffs almost went off and not using a hitch although, save for the COVID-19 points that threatened to prematurely eradicate the Cleveland Browns from their first postseason look since 2002. As an alternative, they used the problems to impress themselves towards the Pittsburgh Steelers, and on the street, to supply a magnificently entertaining climax to the six-game slate.
However, because the divisional spherical approaches for the six groups that superior, it is time to reintroduce the highest canines in every convention — specifically the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Inexperienced Bay Packers. After having fun with a hard-earning first-round bye, each juggernauts are retaking the sphere to start out what they hope will probably be their journey to the Super Bowl, which might be the second in a row for the defending champion Chiefs. There is a wholesome mixture of previous blood plus newly-established superstars within the event, with youth going to the AFC slate of quarterbacks whereas expertise is owned by the NFC, hinting at what may very well be some of the intriguing postseasons in current NFL historical past.
It is time for Spherical 2 of the NFL playoffs, and to seek out out who may shock the world this weekend.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-2)
Till additional discover, that is the king of the fortress.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have not slowed one iota since upending the San Francisco 49ers within the Tremendous Bowl, and are sizzling on the heels of a possible repeat that might see Mahomes land a second-consecutive SB MVP nod. Having secured the highest seed within the AFC, they will take pleasure in a bye week earlier than having to sq. off with the winner of the Titans vs. Ravens, and so they’ll be well-rested by advantage of that bye and the very fact key starters sat out the common season finale. The one concern right here will probably be potential rust, however then once more, Mahomes has confirmed he is not essentially human. He and Tyreek Hill lead an aerial assault that’s almost unimaginable to halt, and working again Clyde Edwards-Helaire might doubtlessly return to anchor the bottom assault. All of the protection has to do is match serve, and the Chiefs will probably be/stay the frontrunner to hoist the Lombardi in February. However that begins with making an attempt to maintain a surging Browns workforce at bay, a process they may discover tougher than others presume.
Divisional spherical opponent: Cleveland Browns
2. Green Bay Packers (13-3)
What’s a “Jordan Love“?
Whereas Aaron Rodgers claims (learn: pretends) the choice to draft Love is not driving him to what’s develop into an MVP-caliber season, the very fact is he is arguably as a result of obtain that NFL honor for the third time in his Corridor of Fame profession. Rodgers and wideout Davante Adams are on an absolute tear and working again Aaron Jones supplies a wonderful stability to what they’ll do within the air. On the defensive aspect of the ball, the Smith Bros are as a lot of a terror as they’ve ever been, led by Za’Darius Smith and his 12.5 sacks on the season. Behind them are safeties Darnell Savage, Jr. (4 INTs) and Adrian Amos (2 INTs), a dynamic duo able to grounding any potential aerial risk that comes their approach. Sitting atop the NFC, the Packers are on a collision course with Kansas Metropolis. Do not teleport them to the Tremendous Bowl simply but although, as a result of Sean McVay leads a scrappy bunch that is not making excuses as they stroll into Lambeau Discipline. Nonetheless, contemplating how prolific the Packers’ offense is and the way their protection is opportunistic, the balmy-weathered and presently bruised Rams are in for the battle of their life.
Divisional spherical opponent: Los Angeles Rams
3. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
That is the place issues get attention-grabbing.
On one word, you’d prefer to award a nod to a workforce right here with extra playoff expertise however, then once more, Josh Allen and the Payments are taking part in out of their collective thoughts proper now. It is a rollover of momentum they established within the common season, proving what they’re doing is not a fluke by any stretch of the creativeness. And their lack of expertise was nowhere to be discovered after they clamped down to shut out the older Indianapolis Colts within the wild-card recreation, leaping out on them early however by no means taking part in as in the event that they have been comfy or complacent. That is youth, firepower and a veteran mindset fueled by probably the greatest teaching staffs and up-and-coming quarterbacks within the recreation immediately, to not point out a nuclear weapon named Stefon Diggs. Be careful world, as a result of the Payments need all of the smoke — particularly when taking part in in Buffalo.
Divisional spherical opponent: Baltimore Ravens
4. New Orleans Saints (12-4)
That is the place expertise begins to weigh closely within the rankings.
Sure, the Saints have a metric ton of it on the subject of the postseason, however it’s beginning to really feel as if a often bulletproof Drew Brees is not going to magically morph into his prime kind one final time this January. Do not ever depend him or Sean Payton out of the equation although — therefore their rating on this checklist — however their problem dispatching with a Chicago Bears workforce that attempted repeatedly to present the Saints the win is worthy of at the very least an eyebrow elevate. They ran away with it in the long run to stamp their ticket to the second spherical, displaying what they are often in the event that they run the offense by way of Alvin Kamara and never essentially Brees, however Payton’s bizarre infatuation with making an attempt to inject Taysom Hill into the gameplan when Brees or Kamara are higher bets may cost a little them dearly going ahead. In the event that they keep true to the most effective gamers on the offense and the protection reveals up, they will be formidable, as normal.
Divisional spherical opponent: Buccaneers
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5)
You will not get extra postseason expertise, and of the successful selection, than with Tom Brady.
The primary purpose they’re ranked a smidge beneath the Saints right here is that they have been swept by New Orleans within the common season sequence, proof Payton has Bruce Arians’ quantity and can dial it as he so chooses. The issue for the Saints is it is exceedingly tough to be a workforce 3 times in a single season, so count on issues to get very attention-grabbing at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brady had the Bucs offense trying principally crisp regardless of the hiccups created by Chase Young and a formidable Washington defensive entrance, whereas the Saints struggled towards a superb one from Chicago. All of the Bucs need to do is bully Brees — who remains to be not fully wholesome — and discover a solution to include Kamara (simpler stated than executed), then use an aerial assault to reveal weaknesses within the New Orleans secondary; then hope the third time is the attraction.
Divisional spherical opponent: Saints
6. Cleveland Browns (11-5)
The Browns is the Browns, eh?
The Steelers came upon the onerous approach that is not true, after being gutted like a caught fish within the AFC Wild Card Sport by a Cleveland workforce that lacked key gamers and head coach Kevin Stefanski, and after dropping their second-best move rusher — Olivier Vernon — for the 12 months with a ruptured Achilles suffered in Week 17 towards Pittsburgh. Regardless of all of it, and being at Heinz Discipline, the Browns led an all-out assault on the Steelers and the sport was solely made shut after they took their foot off of the accelerator within the second half, earlier than reapplying it and dispatching with a workforce that was 11-0 at one level this season. Stefanski and people sidelined by COVID-19 protocol are again for the battle to return as a result of, whereas succesful, motivated and harmful, they will have to be locked and loaded for his or her second consecutive try at surprising the world.
Divisional spherical opponent: Chiefs
7. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Phew.
That is how Ravens followers really feel after seeing how Baltimore began their wild-card recreation towards the hated Tennessee Titans. It was believed Lamar Jackson and the offense had once more discovered their groove to complete the common season, however they have been initially clamped by a Titans protection not identified for being world-beaters. Additionally they allowed Ryan Tannehill and A.J. Brown to take over early en path to a 10-0 lead earlier than shutting them down together with NFL speeding champ Derrick Henry, the latter being a formidable feat by itself. It wound up being the Jackson present after a tough starting and aided largely by the protection, however you must surprise if a extra refined protection may give the reigning league MVP hassle after seeing what the Titans efficiently did within the first quarter. Time will inform if that is what awaits in Buffalo however count on fireworks in a twin that can characteristic Jackson and Josh Allen.
Divisional spherical opponent: Payments
8. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
Once more, the Rams are making no excuses.
Now, whereas that is admirable, there’s nonetheless purpose to view them as the largest underdog on this checklist. They’re nonetheless working by way of damage points at quarterback and credit score to Jared Goff for making the clutch throw(s) when wanted, however it was evident of their win over the Seahawks that his thumb is an issue. There’s additionally a listing of different banged-up gamers who’re key to mounting any form of run to February, and this all could not occur at a worse time for a workforce that went from almost out of the playoff hunt to able to take the sphere within the divisional spherical. It would take a Herculean effort, or an outright collapse by MVP frontrunner Aaron Rodgers and Co., to save lots of the day for the Rams this weekend — frigid temps solely exacerbating the results of the damage. And with a protection that may make for a protracted day at Lambeau Discipline, McVay higher empty the toolbox to have an opportunity at pulling off this upset.
Divisional spherical opponent: Packers
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