Football Playoffs are Here

A look at the upcoming NFL playoffs games and predictions

Jordan Anders, Sports Writer

NFL playoffs have begun and it’s already taken an exciting turn. Last week in the Wild Card round, the New Orleans Saints and the New England Patriots are usually the favorites to get far in playoffs but fell in the first round. Now eight teams remain; San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and the Minnesota Vikings. This upcoming week is the Divisional round where the teams remaining will play to see who goes to the AFC and NFC championship round.

Vikings vs 49ers

The first divisional-round game is between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers. The Vikings went 10-6 during the regular season and beat the Saints last week in their first playoff overtime win in franchise history. Kirk Cousins will lead the Vikings this Saturday, he was a 69.1% completion percentage and his touchdown-interception ratio this season is 26-6. Their opponents, the 49ers lead by Jimmy Garoppolo went 13-3 in the regular season and also has a 69.1% completion percentage. Statistically, the 49ers have a higher chance of winning; their offense, defense, and rushing are all ranked above 4th out of the 32 NFL teams. Make sure to watch quarterback Kirk Cousins on the Vikings and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders on the 49ers. You can catch the game this Saturday on NBC at 2:35 pm.

Predicted winner: 49ers

Ravens vs Titans

The next game is against the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens. The Titans went 9-7 in the regular season and beat the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round. Ryan Tannehill will lead the Titans in Saturday nights game, his offense league ranking is 12th. On the other hand, the Baltimore Ravens will be lead by Lamar Jackson, with only his first season as the team’s full time starting quarterback he has sure made name known. The Ravens went 14-2 and their offense, defense, and rushing are all ranked above 4th. Based on the season statistics between the teams, the Ravens are more likely to come out with the win. Make sure to watch quarterback Lamar Jackson on the Ravens and running back Derrick Henry on the Titans You can catch this game this Saturday on CBS at 6:15 pm.

Predicted winner: Titans

Chiefs vs Texans

The Kansas City Chiefs had a bye last week and the Houston Texans knocked off the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. Now they meet this Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium to see who will make it to the AFC and NFC championship round. The Texans finished 10-6 lead by Derrick Watson and survived last week by a 28-yard field goal in overtime. The Chiefs lead by Patrick Mahomes ll went 12-4 and are on a six-game winning streak. Both of the teams league rankings for offense, defense, passing, and rushing are between 5th and 28th. After a public poll, the Chiefs were the favorite over the Texans to win. Make sure to watch running back Damien Williams on the Chiefs and defense end J.J Watt on the Texans. You can catch this game on Sunday at 1:05 pm on CBS.

Predicted winner: Texans

Packers vs Seahawks

The Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks will play the last divisional round game this weekend at Lambeau Field. The Packers lead by Aaron Rodgers went 13-3 in the season. The Seattle Seahawks lead by Russell Wilson went 11-5 during the season and beat the Eagles last week by eight points. After the public poll, the Seahawks are the favorite to win over the Packers. Running back Aaron Jones is who you need to keep an eye on from the Packers, he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards this season. Quarterback Russell Wilson for the Seahawks is one to keep an eye on. You can catch this game on Sunday at 4:40 pm on FOX.

Predicted winner: Packers

You can catch all these games on the NFL app this weekend. The winners will play each other in the championship rounds next week to determine who will play at Super Bowl LIV.