NFL Playoffs Quick Hits: Semifinal Games

I have some thoughts now that we have the final four set for the NFL playoffs. This is going to be very similar to my weekly NFL quick takes in fact. I kind of want to touch on each game, and who I see playing in the Super Bowl in two weeks.

First and foremost, I was very wrong with my first prediction, of the Saints and Ravens in the Super Bowl. They were both first game exits. I touched on the Saints already, so let me talk a bit about the Ravens. They got bullied and beat pretty soundly by a Titans team that is peaking at the exact right time. This version of the Titans reminds me a ton of the Jags from, I think it was three seasons ago, except they have a much better, and much bigger, running back. I'm not taking anything away from what the Titans are doing right now, but I do think the Ravens got bitten by the bye week bug that gets top seeds sometimes. They were rolling, winners of 12 consecutive games I believe, and they came out flat and slow and didn't look like the same team. The Titans capitalized on that, and hammered them with the run game all evening. Derrick Henry is fast becoming a super star. Lamar Jackson did play well, but his defense didn't help him at all. This game was 14-0, and 21-6 before the third quarter was a couple minutes in. But again, this Titans team is so reminiscent of that Jags team to me. Props to them for making it this far, but I think it ends this weekend. I have said that twice now.

As for the team that I think will beat the Titans, and end this run, the Chiefs looked rough to start their game yesterday. They were down 21-0 before the first quarter was over. Then the Chiefs proceeded to score on 7 straight possessions. Seven straight TD's that is. They looked like the Chiefs from last season. They simply couldn't be stopped. Patrick Mahomes looked like his MVP self. And even their defense, for the most part, shut down Deshaun Watson and the Texans offense, They outscored them 51-10 after that first quarter. It was one hell of a performance. As for the Texans, this is kind of what I figured would happen. They are a fine team, and have an elite QB, but not much else. Deandre Hopkins is good, but he can only do so much when he is being double and triple teamed. They have an okay defense, but it isn't good enough to stop the best of the best offenses. They are stuck in a weird kind of 9 and 10 win limbo, and seem to be destined to do this most seasons, until they get a better coaching staff and hire a real GM.

As for the NFC, the 49ers easily dismantled the Vikings. This game was exactly why I wanted to see the 49ers play the Saints. It would have been a much better, and closer game. This game was essentially over after the 49ers went up 14-7. They stopped everything the Vikings tried to do on offense. Every time they went to play action, which they did often, the 49ers were there to stop it before it got started. The Vikings couldn't run at all. Kirk Cousins was pressured and looked like the overrated QB he has been his whole career. As for the 49ers, well, they didn't need much from their offense after the second TD drive. They ran the ball, controlled the clock and easily won this game. When the score was 21-10, right after half, I told my wife I was done watching because this game was over. She reminded me there was still a whole 2 quarters to play, but I told her that the Vikings quit. They got outclassed, outplayed and out coached all game. Good for Kyle Shanahan and his staff too. They have really turned this whole thing around quick. The 49ers are a very, very good team.

Finally, my team, the Packers tried to give me a heart attack, but ended up winning the game. They went up 21-3 before half, but only scored one more time, while letting the Seahawks back in the game. The final was 28-23, but it could've ended much worse. I firmly believed that the Packers were going to blow that game. But, they found a way to win, and beat Russell Wilson. As I have said all season, and it still pains me, Wilson is a great QB, and he showed that yesterday. But the Seahawks coaching staff still doesn't believe in him. For them to punt with under 4 minutes left was a terrible call. But, they did, the Packers got the ball back and never returned it to Seattle. Rodgers made some incredible throws, Davante Adams was an absolute beast and Aaron Jones gained some tough yards and scored pivotal TD's. The Packers now have to face the 49ers in San Francisco, and that will be tough.

As far as my Super Bowl pick now, I'm going with the Chiefs and 49ers. And I think the Chiefs will win. They are playing so exceptionally on offense right now, their defense is doing enough and the 49ers just aren't at that level yet. We shall see, but I think it will be a fun championship weekend, and I think that will be a very good Super Bowl matchup.

Lets do it.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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