We’re now per week into the NFL playoffs, and the sphere of groups remaining within the combine within the Tremendous Bowl is right down to eight. By the top of this weekend, we’ll slim it down much more, with simply two groups within the AFC and two within the NFC vying to signify their conferences on soccer’s largest stage.
As ordinary, we count on some wild issues to occur when these video games truly get going. So, right here we’re once more with no daring predictions. Similar to final week, we’ve one for each match within the schedule.
When the Chiefs and Jaguars performed once more in Week 10, Travis Kelce had a superb sport. He caught 6 of seven passes thrown at him, totaling 81 yards and a landing. However as we all know, Kelce is able to a lot greater than that baseline. The Jaguars have struggled arduous to defend their tight ends this season. Jacksonville ranks thirty second (aka final) within the NFL in DVOA on throws to tight ends, in accordance with Soccer Outsiders. The Jags yielded 81 receptions for 1,066 yards and 7 scores to the place gamers, and we have seen their gamers, particularly, profit from protection all year long. even towards chargers Final week, Gerald Everett and Donald Parham mixed for 10 receptions for 133 yards and a rating of 13. We count on Keelce to have an ideal day on Saturday.
Danny Dimes has proven a whole lot of enchancment this season in nearly each space. Nowhere was this extra evident than in his efficiency towards Vikings In Tremendous Wild Card Weekend, which was in all probability the most effective sport of his profession. Jones accomplished 24 of 35 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns, whereas additionally dashing 17 occasions for a further 78 yards. In two video games towards Minnesota this season, Brian Dabul and firm let Jones air it, profiting from one of many friendliest go defenses within the NFL. Eagles would not have a pleasant protection. They’ve probably the greatest dashing passing items within the league, and a really constant group of protection gamers. Jones was 18 of 27 passes for 169 yards and a landing the final time these two groups performed, and though he added 4 carries for 26 yards and additional factors, he additionally grabbed 4 sacks. The Giants offense is best now than it was then, however coping with the Philadelphia protection continues to be a a lot harder process than the one it confronted per week in the past.
Invoices towards. Bengals: Buffalo exposes Sensei’s lack of depth up entrance
The Bengals bleed offensive linemen in per week. Once more in Week 16, they misplaced proper sort out Lyle Collins of the season as a result of a torn ACL. In Week 18, they misplaced guard Alex Capa to an ankle harm. And final week in a Wild Card match vs crows, they misplaced left sort out Jonah Williams with a knee downside. The Bengals will in all probability solely begin two-fifths of their beginning offensive line. Possibly they might get away with establishing Hakim Adeniji, Jackson Karman, or Max Scharping…however are all of them? That is merely an excessive amount of to outlive towards a Buffalo protection – even with Joe Burrow on the controls. Greg Russo, Chuck Lawson, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, AJ Ebenessa, Boogie Basham, Tim Settle – the Payments have a whole lot of expertise up entrance. They usually can full that group with Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmonds streaming the ball.
49ers towards. Cowboys: Shanahan’s present continues
Brock Purdy barely broke a sweat throughout blasting the 49ers offense towards Seahawks final week. Of his 30 go makes an attempt, solely two have been thrown into a decent window, in accordance with NFL.com’s Subsequent Era Stats. That is the Kyle Shanahan impact. The San Francisco offensive mastermind can plan gamers as effectively or higher than any coach within the NFL, and with Christian McCaffrey, Debo Samuel, Brandon Ayuk, George Kittle and Elijah Mitchell, has probably the greatest talent groups within the NFL. that you simply work with. It is an unfair restrict. Dallas Tampa’s protection shut down Monday night time, nevertheless it’s nonetheless shorthanded within the secondary and will have a little bit of Jaron Kersey after he suffered a knee harm towards Bock. The guess right here is that San Francisco finds a technique to make the most of that group on the again finish.