Divisional Round Shockers

Giving predictions for the Divisional Round games

Audrey Moody, Web Copy Editor

The NFL Wild Card round has ended and we’re heading into the Divisional Round of the playoffs literally tomorrow (Jan. 21)! Who’s going to win and who’s going to lose? I’ll try my best to break it down and give some predictions.

The first match is between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tennessee Titans. Yes, the Titans had a first round bye, but I think the Bengals are going to win this. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are powerhouses and with Joe Mixon’s running game, the offense looks really good. Derrick Henry also is not playing right now on the Titans due to a season ending injury in Week 8, so even though they were considered the best team in the AFC, Ryan Tannehill can not carry the Titans. I see the Bengals winning this in a landslide 31-17.

The second match is between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers. This is easy to say (sorry 49ers fans) but the Packers are an overall much better team, so I see them winning. I mean, the Packers are the best team in the NFL this season, ending their regular season with a record of 13-4. They have a great roster, like Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Allen Lazard and with the possibility of both Randall Cobb and Jaire Alexander coming back after injuries, the Packers are going to win in a landslide 35-13.

The third match is between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. This is for sure an unpopular pick, but I see the Bills winning this one in a close game. I mean sure, the Chiefs won last week in the Wild Card game, but they were playing the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that barely managed to get into the playoffs in the first place. However, the Bills came out swinging against the New England Patriots in their Wild Card bout last week and won 47-17. Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox were doing incredible last week and we can’t forget about Devin Singletary, who scored two touchdowns. Even I can’t argue that the Chiefs are a great team, but I think the Bills will win this game 28-24.

 

The fourth and final Divisional Round match is between the LA Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I for sure have the Rams winning this. Yes, I am a Rams fan and really hope they get to the Super Bowl, but comparing the two teams’ rosters, one clearly stands out; the Rams’. Tom Brady is a good quarterback and Mike Evans is a great wide receiver, but with Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette out the rest of the postseason with injuries, the Buccaneers are having to use backups. I mean, they almost lost to the New York Jets who ended the regular season with a 4-13 record. Meanwhile, the Rams just got back Cam Akers from a torn ACL injury and he did amazing in the Wild Card game against the Arizona Cardinals. With powerhouses like Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp (who set three records in the regular season) and Odell Beckham Jr. on offense and Aaron Donald, Von Miller and Jalen Ramsey on defense, I see the Rams coming out strong and beating the Buccaneers 24-21.

With these games happening tomorrow and Sunday, we’ll see if my predictions are right. I hope they are, because if not, that’s a little embarrassing.