Division Round Recap & Predictions + Rocket TD Picks

Division round 

Once again the playoffs have been delivered and we are left mainly shaking our heads and trying to truly figure out everything that we witnessed this past weekend. It all started with maybe the best and most controversial game with the Bills taking on the Broncos in Denver. The game went back and forth for the most part but there were crucial plays that paved the way for a Broncos win. The fumble right before half gave the Broncos a free 3 points, the non pass interference call and the 2 pass interferences on the Bills in overtime, but it will ultimately be the interception/catch debacle that will be remembered in this one. Look I'm no referee or rules expert, but I feel like its either a catch or an incompletion, he was clearly down with some relative control on the ball, if I guy is laying on the ground and has already been deemed down by touch, how can I just rip it out and take it all in one fluid motion. Either way the Broncos are off to the Championship and unfortunately it will be without Bo Nix as a season ending ankle injury will end his individual bid at a SuperBowl. 

We then went to Seattle for an NFC west matchup, not much to say here as it looks like Seattle is proving why they are the favourite to win the SuperBowl. A complete domination on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. We then opened Sunday with the Texans rolling into Foxborough to face the Pats. This game proved to be a defensive masterclass for both sides. 4 picks for the Pats defense and 1 pick and 2 fumbles for the Texans defense made this game feel tighter than it was. The difference, the Pats converted when they needed to and the Texans didn't. Stroud is going to catch a ton of heat and now with the Pats having backup QB Jarrett Stidham they may never beat the easiest schedule allegations. 

The final game of the weekend was between the Rams and the Bears.  This game lived up to the hype it was producing.  Williams and Stafford traded timely blows and faced the harsh weather of playoff football in Chicago. The Rams took the lead with just under 9 minutes to go in the 4th quarter, in what might be the wildest ending of the playoffs, the Bears, essentially in the red zone with 4th and 4 to go and the game on the line, the Rams would blitz and Williams was retreating back to his own head would turn around and throw up a prayer which was unbelievably caught by Cole Kmet in the endzone. Just a wild play which gave us another overtime game. It was a Williams pick that ultimately ended the Bear's SuperBowl bid with Harrison Mervis making the winning field goal. 

Championship Weekend Predictions

So now that we have our matchups for next Sunday's games, let's take a look at what I think will happen.

Patriots @ Broncos

The Pats have had an unbelievably easy schedule and it's only getting easier at least until we reach the SuperBowl. Jarrett Stidham is starting for the Broncos, don't really have to say much after that. The Broncos defense is good, and they have earned their spot here but if this isn't a blowout by the Pats I'd be truly shocked. It sucks that this is what we get cause I think watching two young QBs battle to go for their first SuperBowl would be super cool so it sucks that we are here talking about a poor matchup. Now, Stidham was drafted by the Pats so if you want to buy in some sort of revenge game this is likely the best spot for it. I'm looking forward to watching this one. I think it should be somewhat of a fun game to watch, plus I love Drake Maye. Final score prediction. 27-6 Patriots. 

Rams @ Seahawks

We were owed this matchup and I'm super happy we got it. I think most can agree these two teams are the two best in the NFC. Now the Rams on paper look good, but for whatever reason it just has not clicked over the last month and some change. The defense has some holes and teams have been able to expose them. Sam Darnold faces the biggest game in his career and the allegations of him not being a big game player will be looking him dead in the eye. I think I have to go with the Seahawks here, the defense clicks like no other in the league and with Davonte Adam dealing with his injuries I just think the more complete team grabs the NFC championship at home. Sammy D to the moon. Score Prediction 35-24 Seahawks

Rocket TDs

Okay I'm left with 2 games here so my odds are lower than ever and I still can't find winners. 

Drake Maye

• We saw Josh Allen look to run the ball a lot vs the Broncos interior and with a strong pass game and a weaker receiver room for New England I think the Pats run game will need to be elite, with Stevenson nursing a slight injury on his eye and Henderson having a few bad performances, Maye may need to get the legs going

Cooper Kupp

• The Rams' defense has massive holes in it, especially in the DB game.  If anyone wants any reason to bet on a guy based on anything but football, Kupp may be the best guy here. The Rams let him walk last year and while the breakup between the two may not have been perceived as ugly, moving on from a superbowl champion and a OPOY will leave some scars. I LOVE Kupp to score here

These two added together give us a very nice 6.4x multiplier. This would be great because I desperately need to find winners. I don't even know where this losing streak is, I just know it's not good. Regardless, enjoy the last few games of the year!