The divisional round delivered plenty of drama for the 2019 NFL season with a key upset, an unprecedented comeback and a nailbiter between old foes.
The first game of the weekend showcased the NFC’s sixth seed Minnesota Vikings travelling to the Bay area to challenge the number one seed San Francisco 49ers. The game went the way many people believed it would with the 49ers suffocating Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offence, meaning there was less pressure on the 49ers offence.
The end score of 27-10 didn’t do the 49ers justice as they truly dominated the Vikings, the Vikings one touchdown coming off of a great play made by receiver Stefon Diggs. The 49ers d-line was able to sack Cousins six times, meaning there was never a chance for Cousins to get his passing game going as running back Dalvin Cook was not able to make an impact.
The 49ers now move on to host the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship next week.
The next game delivered the biggest shock of the weekend, with the sixth-seeded Tennesse Titans going to Baltimore and upsetting the Super Bowl favourite Ravens. The Titans were led by their workhorse running back Derrick Henry, who totalled 195 rushing yards and also a passing touchdown to beat the Ravens 28-12.
The Ravens, led by their superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson, clearly were not able to get out the front gate as the Titans forced Jackson into playing from behind, something the Ravens had very little experience with this season. The momentum of the game swung both to the Titans on two huge fourth-and-one plays.
With the Ravens opting to go for the same quarterback sneak on both, the Titans’ d-Line was able to step up both times and get stops, which on both cases led to the Titans scoring touchdowns on the next drive.
The next game of the weekend featured the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans. The Texans stormed out to a quick 21-0 lead as the Chiefs kept on making mistakes that showed the signs of a team being rusty from a two-week break, but then, similar to the Ravens-Titans game, on the first crucial fourth down play the Texans opted to take the field goal instead of going for it and extended their lead to 24-0.
(Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
This was crucial as it meant the Chiefs were down 24 instead of 28. The next huge fourth-down came on an attempted fake punt as the Texans tried to be aggressive and get the first down. As the Chiefs were able to get the stop and then scored a touchdown soon after, the score was now 24-14.
After that the Chiefs just never looked back, dropping the Texans 51-31 and possibly ending the tenure of Texans coach Bill O’Brien. The Chiefs next week will host the Titans in the AFC championship at Arrowhead, hoping to go one step further than they did last season.
The final game of the weekend showcased the Green Bay Packers hosting the Seattle Seahawks. The Packers got out on the front foot, scoring a touchdown on the opening drive that saw quarterback Aaron Rodgers pass to star wide receiver Devante Adams on a third down, a theme for the game.
The Packers would choke the Seahawks for the first half, not allowing Russell Wilson to gain any momentum. The first half closed with the Packers leading the Seahawks 21-3. But in a way similar to the Packers’ haunting NFC championship loss to the Seahawks in 2014, the Seahawks were able to climb back into the game and bring the score to a five-point deficit.
However, on the final drive of the game, Packers quarterback Rodgers was able to show some of his vintage magic and found both Adams and Jimmy Graham on separate third-down plays to extend their drive and ultimately run the clock down to give the Packers a 28-23 win.
The divisional round of the NFL playoffs delivered on many levels, and set up an exciting championship weekend, a weekend that will reveal the two teams who will play in the Super Bowl.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
Yes, the 49ers seem to have ridden Mostert hard - 220 yards rushing and Garappolo has passing stats of 6 completions from 8 attempts! Not what you expect of a team in the "pass-crazy NFL".
Ferghickey36
Roar Rookie
still, you made some super good points which now after watching both games, seem to have been the case.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
Although it would probably help if I looked at the Titan's stats, rather than the Texans' stats, wouldn't it? I'm an idiot!
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
What are everyone's predictions for the Superbowl teams? For me, the Texans run-heavy offense against the lightning strike capability of the Chiefs should be interesting. Neither defense is ranked particularly highly, although I think part of the Chiefs lowly ranking is due to them being ahead so often and teams having to come after them. The Texans allowed the 4th most passing yards in the regular season and the 8th most rushing yards (although the Chiefs allowed even more rushing yards!) I think the Chiefs should have too much here, despite the heavy dose of Henry they'll probably be receiving. The trouble for the Texans is that the Chiefs may be out of sight when Henry usually is at his most destructive. For the NFC, the 49ers lead the Packers in most measurable stats, eg: Total offense: 4th vs 18th Rushing offense: 2nd vs 15th Passing offense: 13th vs 17th Total defense: 2nd vs 18th Rushing defense: 17th vs 23rd Passing defense: 1st vs 14th With stats like that, you wonder how the Packers had a 13-3 season, and the answer is Aaron Rodgers. Can he do it here? Frankly, a couple of years ago if you'd asked the outcome of a match between Rodgers and Garopolo, the outcome would be a no-brainer, but this should be an easy win for the 49ers. But then there's Rodgers, with one more chance of the big show. My head says the Chiefs vs the 49ers. The bookies say the Chiefs vs the 49ers (both by about a touchdown). So why do I think they'll be an upset?