Twelve teams go for it all and, in all fairness, Kansas City and Green Bay expect a rival. Rams passed by a miracle, but they cannot be criticized, they did the miracle with a debuting quarterback, now they visit Seattle, but remember that the local advantage is minimal in the covid year; if Russell Wilson and his line go out on a decent day they should win a low point game.
Tennessee and the Contrasts: What happens if running back Derek Henry gets knocked out? Because if we removed their production they would not have qualified. The Titans host the Ravens in a rematch last year, when Henry himself rushed them more than 200 yards. Baltimore exploded with stage fright, lost 3 balls and missed 4 plays in fourth with a Lamar Jackson who lost the leadership that he deserved to be the MVP. Ravens is the favorite again and must win, but remember that nerves and mistakes also define championships, both teams They come with the same experience so this game is more even than it appears.
Bills closed enormously, in what must have been a difficult customs against Miami, which was at stake, they ended up crushing them, now they will receive some Colts that I don’t think they can with Josh Allen and company. Bills has gone 6 games without winning a playoff; last year they were leading 16-0 in the third quarter against Houston and their offense fell silent. This year they are stronger and their handicap is their nerves.
Philip Rivers faces his destiny, although his year is already a success, the guy is in debt to the postseason, this is, perhaps, his last chance to get a ring, which looks far away for Colts, but it is not impossible.
Santos finally arrives with a good defense and his offense is a deadly weapon, the scare of Brees’ injuries is a warning that he is on his last legs to achieve his second ring. They receive some miraculous Bears who, having nothing to lose, become dangerous; Mitch Trubisky was resurrected and knows that a victory will prop him up with a hobby that doubts him; it will be an impossible mission.
Steelers have fate in their hands, on Sunday, his bench almost took the game out of Cleveland, who played everything, that showed that there is enough distance to be favorites. The “callus” of Big Ben and coach Tomlin in the postseason must weigh. The Browns are novices in the instance, but while Ben does have pressure from his fans who demand rings, on the other hand, coach Kevin Stefanski, just to turn one year with the team, has nothing to lose and, along with Baker Mayfield, they arrive motivated and they are dangerous; if his defense can neutralize Ben the game can get interesting.
Although it should not, the most mediatic game is that of Tampa Bay vs Washington. Tom Brady closed as the best quarterback for December and one of the best of the year. The fact that Tampa hosts the Super Bowl gives it a separate spotlight, let’s remember that no host team has made it to the big game, but let’s face it, Tampa beat up mid-table teams, their key games show negative data: they lost to Kansas, Saints , Rams and Bears, all of them qualified, although it must also be said that they took a great game out of Green Bay in Week 6. I see Tampa as a gamble and, for its part, Washington arrives with an Alex Smith who found himself miracle with another playoff and with a defense that has something to make Brady uncomfortable with, that’s where his hope lies; it is a tricky game.
There is nothing written, but the trends put the two who hope to win the Super Bowl as favorites: Bills, Ravens, Santos and Steelers remain in that order, any other would be a big surprise. What does fate hold for us? At least I think the MVP They should give it to Aaron Rodgers, but for the rest… Will we see a Nick Foles-type miracle? Will Bills fulfill that of “there is no bad fifth”? Will Kansas establish the first dynasty of the 1920s? Will the ring be on a “ruco” quarterback? Brady, Ben, Brees, Rodgers, Rivers… and, by God, will we see in the Super Bowl… Brady again ?!
And from there… to what follows.
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