(NFC/AFC CHAMPIONSHIPS) ROUND THREE PLAYOFFS STRAIGHT PICK-EM
Last week Divisional round (round two record): 3-1
REGULAR SEASON RECORD OVERALL:174-82
POST SEASON RECORD OVERALL: 7-3
Saturday post season record:4-1
Sunday post season record:3-2
THE SUNDAY SLATE
NOTES
Both number one seeds are still alive being the Packers for the NFC and the Chiefs of the AFC.
Both Championship games are rematches from the regular season.
Chiefs won in Buffalo.
Buccaneers took care of the Packers at home.
The rematch takes place at the opposite stadium they played at before. This time Chiefs and Packers will be the home teams.
WINNERS TODAY ADVANCE TO THE SUPERBOWL
GAME ONE:
#5. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (13-5) AT #1.GREEN BAY PACKER (14-3)
History:
Tom Brady has a 9-4 record in Championship games. All with the Patriots.
Last time Buccaneers were in the Superbowl, was 2003. They demolished the Raiders.
Buccaneers are trying to be the first team to get in the Superbowl and host that game.
Last time a non-division team made it to the Superbowl was 2010 Packers
Aaron Rodgers is 1-3 in Conference Championship game. With a loss, Rodgers would join Donovan McNamara and Kenny Stabler with 1-4 records
Tom Brady versus Aaron Rodgers head to head. Brady leads that battle 2-1
It’s asking a lot for the Buccaneers to go on the road in the playoffs and win three road games to host a home game in the Superbowl. Aaron Rodgers is having his best season overall, perhaps because he got a new girlfriend.
I would not kick her out of the bed for eating crackers. Perhaps it is because the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers’ future in the off-season. The future is not known for Aaron Rodgers and to go out on top and winning the whole thing, will make leaving Green Bay much more fun. Can the Buccaneers play in the cold? We know Tom Brady and the Meathead, Rob Gronkowski, have played in the cold many times in New England.
What about the rest of the Buccaneers? Will missing Antonio Brown weaken the Buccaneer attack? Can Aaron Rodgers wheel and deal to the others, instead of just Devante Adams?
OUR PICK:PACKERS
I like the weather in Green Bay’s favor. With some fans, even though it will not be full to capacity, it could get under the skin of opposing teams. It’s hard to win three games on the road in the playoffs, and winning the last one in Lambeau Field, I can’t see it happening.
GAME TWO:
#2.BUFFALO BILLS (15-3) AT #1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (15-2)
History:
Chiefs are trying to be the first team to repeat winning back to back Superbowls since the Patriots of 2003 and 2004.
Chiefs will be the 12th defending Superbowl champion to host the Championship. Previous 11 have gone to the home team with a record of 10-1.
The 49ers were the one team to lose.
The Bills’ last time to the Superbowl was in 1993, where they lost their 4th straight from 1990-1993. Bills and the Vikings have that 0-4 matching record of losing the big game.
A Patrick Mahomes versus Josh Allen match up has only happened once. Mahomes has the 1-0 record versus Allen.
Patrick Mahomes should be undefeated in the playoffs. The off-sides call versus the Patriots years ago is the young quarterback’s only post season loss. Josh Allen, I think, is due for a huge game. Allen was nervous in that first win over the Colts in the wild card round. Versus the Ravens some dropped balls by receivers did not give Allen those off the chart numbers he got during the regular season. Will the foot injury to Patrick Mahomes slow him down, making those unbelievable throws downfield on broken plays? Chiefs seem like they are due for a big offensive game as well. Two keys for each defense. Chiefs have to stop the Bills passing attack. The Bills have to stop the Chiefs running game.
How will Patrick Mahomes deal with coming off the concussion protocol? Can the Bills defense contain Patrick Mahomes’ big play ability? Interesting tidbit: Andy Reid go up against one of his disciples in Sean McDermott.
Andy Reid is 2-5 in Championship games which goes back to his Eagles days.
OUR PICK:BILLS
The regular season match up between the Chiefs and Bills was rescheduled a few times due to Covid protocols. Bills were missing some pieces on defense. Defense is what will win this game for the Bills. The Bills will do better versus the run, which was key for the Chiefs last time. The way the Bills stopped Lamar Jackson, a running quarterback, they should be able to get to Patrick Mahomes. Bills are very good versus the pass. That first match up, Bills did not give up those huge plays the Chiefs like to get. I think Allen and the offense play their best game of the playoffs.
The Wild shamrock 