LAST WEEK’S RECORD IN THE WILD CARD WEEKEND (2-2)

OUR BIGGEST PICK WE GOT RIGHT – THE FALL OF THE EVIL EMPIRE TO THE TITANS.

OUR DISAPPOINTMENTS

We were disappointed as we had the Bills and they had a 16 point lead in the second half to blow that versus the Texans did not go over well.

The Saints versus the Vikings, who saw that one coming? I think Viking fans did not see that one happening.

ROUND TWO DIVISIONAL

WE ARE BRINGING IN THE BIG GUN FOR ROUND TWO

JANUARY 11, 2020  SATURDAY GAMES

NFC GAME

VIKINGS(11-6) AT 49ERS(13-3)

The 49ers are the number one seed in the NFC. They had a week to chill out. 49ers clinched home field in the very last game of the season versus Seattle on Sunday night. Vikings are the lowest seed in the NFC playoffs. They will go on the road once again after doing so in round one winning in the Saints dome last Sunday. Kirk Cousins picked up his first playoff victory behind center. Can Jimmy Garoppolo do the same thing?

HISTORY

ALL-TIME RECORD BETWEEN THESE TWO TEAMS 23-23-1

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD BETWEEN THESE TEAMS

49ERS 4-1 VIKINGS

The Vikings were able to get two of their playmakers back for the Saints game last week. I thought if they did play they would be extremely rusty. Vikings offense ran Dalvin Cook a lot versus the Saints wearing that defense down to the nub. Vikings as a team ran 40 times compared to 33 passing plays. I expect more of that this weekend. 49ers defense encounters with rookie defensive line Nick Bosa. They have a guy that we all hate in Richard Sherman. The Dickhead Sherman with experience coming out of his pores being one of those A-holes from the Legion of Boom a few years back. This is a defense that can limit your strong suits.

Vikings on defense will have their hands full. The 49ers are very well balanced. Jimmy Garoppolo has a slew of weapons to choose from. Vikings I’m sure will try to stop the 49ers tight end George Kittle. Which could leave receivers like Emmanuel Sanders freed up. Vikings will have to keep their eyes out for rookie Receiver Deebo Samuel who has been emerging as a big threat. 49ers have a nice running game where they have two backs averaging over 5 yards a carry. Vikings can make things happen on defense and force some turnovers. Safety Harrison Smith could be assigned to take down Kittle. Vikings are geared to stop the run. They have a shaky pass defense but they did well versus the Saints offensive juggernaut.

49ers can win time of possession style of games. They can win a shoot out, but that’s not their style. These are two evenly matched teams that like to do the same thing. Like looking in the mirror at each other. I like the 49ers being at home. I think Jimmy Garoppolo will have a smooth transition to his first step into playoff football. Can Kurt Cousins win another big game on top of another big game? I see Kyle Shanahan coming out with a great scheme to beat the Vikings. His way of making up for the bad calling in that second half of the Superbowl where he was OC for the Falcons. Who allowed the Patriots to stampeded them back in that game. The coach is the X-factor which will help the 49ers dispatch the Vikings.

OUR PICK

OUR PREDICTION:  49ERS 27-17 VIKINGS

AFC GAME

TITANS(10-7) AT RAVENS(14-2)

The Ravens are the number one seed of the AFC conference. Titans just made the playoffs in the final week of regular season. Then last week they knocked out the Evil Empire, last year’s Superbowl champs the New England Patriots. In which could be the game that ends the Patriot dynasty. The Baltimore Ravens will be a different animal. The Ravens had the best regular season record in the entire NFL. They have this year’s MVP quarterback in Lamar Jackson who can run and pass.

HISTORY

ALL-TIME RECORD BETWEEN THESE TWO TEAMS

RAVENS 12-11 TITANS

PLAYOFFS RAVENS 2-1 TITANS

The Titans are a very well rounded team. Defense, offense and special teams… all three units do very well. The Titans could easily have a different record and seed if they started the season with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback. The Titans made the switch near mid season from Mariota to Tannehill and took off. The Titans offense has a stud back in Derrick Henry. Ravens defense which is not talked about a lot because of what Lamar Jackson does on the field. They will need to gang tackle Henry. Earl Thomas the safety will have to help stop the Titans’ deep passing game as well. Titans need to get a early lead. Ravens defense is used to having the early lead and never have to adjust and just attack the quarterback passing attack after they build a comfy lead.

The Titans defense have to figure out how to contain Lamar Jackson. Ravens have a great running back in Mark Ingram, former Saint that can do damage. The Raven running attack sets up the passing game for Jackson. Lamar Jackson has improved his passing game this season and is a guy that does not throw interceptions. If LamarJackson runs for more than 70 yards his record this year is unbeatable. Titans defense made the big play versus Tom Brady last week. Brady is a guy that does not run. Lamar Jackson can escape pass rushing blitzes and find the open guy or just run like Forest Gump. The Titans will need to force a fumble or two. The Titans will need to get in good licks when the Raven receivers catch the ball and hope for the ball to bounce out of their arms for an interception or two.

This is match up I thought a lot about.  Thought about are the Titans an elite team or just a good team? Sometimes you see a team win so many games in a row and not see who they beat. Titans lost to the Saints late in the season. They lost to a Texans team late in the season when the division was in play and lost at home to them. They did beat the Texans in the last week of the season. The Texans had their back up quarterback in as they had nothing to play for. The Texans even though they won last week versus the Bills, I don’t think are a very good team. Maybe the worst remaining. The Patriots is a team on the decline so I pictured the Titans going into New England and winning. I can’t see the Titans doing that this weekend. Ravens’ Lamar Jackson will learn from the Chargers loss last season as he got his first playoff experience in that contest. I think the Ravens are just the better team in this contest overall.

OUR PICK

OUR PREDICTION:RAVENS 31-23 TITANS