Football season is here!!!

[KarateKen]

Broncos hung with the Bills for the first half and then some, but the Bills pulled away and make it a blowout in the second half.  That sets up the second round in the AFC, the Ravens will play at the Bills and the Texans will play at the Chiefs.  Both games will be on Saturday.  The Ravens Bills game is especially interesting, two MVP candidates at QB and both teams are good enough to win the Super Bowl.  

Right now, the Eagles are up on the Packers 10-0, and we will see the NFC games over the next day plus.  If the Eagles win, they will be at home next week no matter what happens in the other games, being the two seed. 

Three games in the playoffs so far and none of them have been close, I don't think the Packers look like they can hang with the Eagles either and this could become a blowout. 

[KarateKen]

It took five playoff games, but we finally had a game come down to the end.  Washington wins on a walk off field goal 23-20, being the only road team to win in this post season so far.  It is the first playoff win for Washington in 19 years.  There was some questionable play calling early in the game where Washington decided to pass on kicking a FG and go for it on 4th down, coming up empty.  Had they lost it would be all the talk this week, but since they were able to pull out the win anyway it is just another crazy game in the NFL. 

Update:  The current games are as scheduled - 

Saturday Jan. 18

Texans @ Chiefs - 4:30pm

Commanders @ Lions - 8pm

Sunday Jan. 19

Vikings or Rams @ Eagles - 3pm

Ravens @ Bills - 6:30 pm

All times eastern. 

Edited Monday at 11:53 PM by KarateKen

[KarateKen]

The Cowboys and HC Mike McCarthy have parted ways as the two sides could not agree on a new deal, making the Cowboys now a team in need of a head coach.  Black Monday continues into its second week.  

The Cowboys are in a group with the Saints, Jaguars, Raiders, Bears, and Jets all looking for their next coach. 

[KarateKen]

Tough night for the Vikings.  Gave up a lot of sacks and had several turnovers, one that was returned for a touchdown.  Rams win easily 27-9 and will advance.  Here is the full divisional round schedule with times and TV information.  All time are eastern. 

Saturday January 18:

Texans @ Chiefs 4:30pm on ESPN/ESPN+/ABC

Commanders @ Lions 8pm on FOX

Sunday January 19:

Rams @ Eagles 3pm on NBC/Peacock

Ravens @ Bills 6:30pm on CBS

 

Some exciting matchups here, especially the Sunday games. Let the divisional round begin! 

 

[KarateKen]

OK, I was three for six in the first round so I am going to try this again and maybe do a little better.  The two games on Saturday are easier.  The Chiefs will beat the Texans.  Houston is not consistent enough to go into KC and win.  They won a bad division and last week the Chargers were terrible.  KC has home field, they are getting healthier with Mahomes having time to heal and Chris Jones will be back, plus Andy Reid has a great record for his career coming after a bye against a team that played the previous week.  Chiefs win and it could get ugly, they will advance to their 6th consecutive AFC title game.  Houston can cause some problems with their pass rush but it won't be enough.  

Saturday night massacre coming in Detroit.  I pick the Lions to go to the Super Bowl.  They came up a little short last year, this year they have home field and a bye week.  Their offense has been the best in the league, their running game is unstoppable.  Washington is coming into the Lion's Den with a rookie QB, Detroit will win big. They will advance and host a home NFC Championship game for the first time in team history.  That dome will be crazy loud. 

Sunday, we have more interesting games.  It starts with the Rams at the Eagles, and I am picking the Eagles.  Philly has a great D and a great O line, and a QB who can drive your defense nuts.  The Rams looked great against Minnesota and their pass rush was a nightmare for Sam Darnold.  I am picking the Eagles; they are a little better team and at home, but I do think this will be a close game and fun to watch. 

Then the final game of the weekend is the toughest to pick.  Baltimore at Buffalo.  Both teams have a QB playing at an MVP level.  The Ravens have been outstanding ever since their bye week.  The Bills have home field and have been knocking on the door of the Super Bowl the last few years, so this will come down to the final minute.  I am picking the Bills, because they are at home, and I think it is their year to win the conference.  I pick the Bills and the Lions to meet in New Orleans for the big game. 

[sensei8]

My picks…

Chiefs over Texans
Lions over Commanders 
Eagles over Rams
Bills over Ravens

SB: Chiefs over Lions

[KarateKen]

We are still a few days out but the current weather forecast for Buffalo on Sunday night is 12 degrees and snow.  Oh please let it snow. Not just a few flakes either, I want the storm.

 

Edit: Also a chance of snow in the Rams Eagles game.  We could have all day snow football on Sunday.  

Edited Thursday at 11:19 PM by KarateKen

[sensei8]

I’ll be inside my very warm house…in Las Vegas!!

Edited Friday at 12:02 AM by sensei8

[KarateKen]

I always wonder what happens to those guys who sit in the cold with their shirts off.  Some of them must end up in the hospital or really get sick the next day.  I'm sure we will see someone doing it on Sunday, probably some fat guy with his friends and BILLS panted across their chest, sitting out at the game in 2-degree weather for hours.  Might see that in Philly also, where there is now a 88% chance of snow during the game!