NFL 2018 Divisional Recap + Conference Championship Picks

Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action has passed us by but another one is fast approaching us. The NFL has finished up its 2nd week of playoff competition in the Divisional round and the next round is the Conference Championship games. The column will cover the Divisional round games plus my picks to who goes to the Super Bowl. Let's get to work!

Divisional Round Recap

Indianapolis 13, Kansas City 31: TW: Colts; CV: Colts
The critics of the Kansas City Chiefs came in with high hopes and left with bitter disappointment. The Chiefs completely dominated the game from the offense, defense, and special teams. It was their first home playoff win in nearly 25 years. Andrew Luck has had some success against the Chiefs in the playoffs. Luck would finish the game with 203 passing yards with a touchdown (the only touchdown all game for the Colts). The Colts running game of Marlon Mack didn't get anything going with only 46 yards rushing, certainly a credit to the Chiefs defense. Patrick Mahomes would pass the ball for 278 yards for zero touchdowns. The Chiefs rushing game gave them all the offense they needed. Damien Williams, Tyreek Hill, Darrell Williams, and Patrick Mahomes would all score a rushing touchdown each. Damien Williams was the leading rusher with 129 yards. Kansas City gets to stay at home for the AFC Championship Game.

TW: 0-1; CV: 0-1

Dallas 22, LA Rams 30: TW: Rams; CV: Rams
There was some doubt that the Rams would win the game. I was certainly one of them. With how well the Cowboys handled themselves on defense as well as their rushing attack. It would be the Rams that would hang on to win them the game. Dak Prescott threw the ball for 266 yards for a touchdown. Prescott would run for a touchdown as well. Ezekiel Elliot could only muster 47 yards rushing with a touchdown of his own. Credit to the Rams rush defense to keep Elliot at bay. Jared Goff threw the ball for 186 yards with zero touchdowns in the game. It would be the Rams running game that gave them all the offense they needed. CJ Anderson and Todd Gurley would finish the game with 100+ yard games running the ball. CJ Anderson would run it for 123 yards for two touchdowns while Gurley would get 115 and a touchdown as well. The Rams will be on the road for the NFC Championship Game.

TW: 1-1; CV: 1-1

LA Chargers 28, New England 41: TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Patriots continued with their playoff success while Philip Rivers remains winless against Tom Brady. The Chargers quarterback threw the ball for 331 yards while scoring three touchdowns and a pick. The Chargers running game didn't get a lot going as Melvin Gordon could muster 15 yards rushing with a touchdown. Any chance of Tom Brady slowing down remains to be in question. Brady would throw the ball for 343 yards with a touchdown. The biggest offensive contributor was Sony Michel. Michel ran the ball for 129 yards for three touchdowns. Rex Burkhead would get a touchdown as well in the game, running the ball for 12 yards. It was a dominant game but in garbage time the Patriots defense came a bit into question. They will need to play stellar football next week when they head to Kansas City for the AFC Championship Game.

TW: 2-1; CV: 2-1

Philadelphia 14, New Orleans 20: TW: Saints; CV: Saints
Around this time last year, Nick Foles was leading the Eagles to what would become their championship run. The similarities were too hard to dismiss to this year. The Saints would end any hope of a repeat for the Eagles. Nick Foles threw the ball for 201 yards for a touchdown and two picks. Those two interceptions were from Marcus Lattimore. Foles would score a rushing touchdown as well. The Eagles running game of Wendell Smallwood could only muster 33 yards, qualifying him to be the Eagles leading rusher. Drew Brees threw the ball for 301 yards with two touchdowns and a pick. Alvin Kamara was the Saints leading rusher with 71 yards. The Saints stay at home for the NFC Championship Game next Sunday.

TW: 3-1; CV: 3-1

Conference Championship Picks

LA Rams (14-3) @ New Orleans (14-3) (FOX): TW: Saints; CV: Rams
The Rams got a win against the Cowboys and the Saints beat the Eagles last week in the Divisional round. The game is a rematch of a Week 8 game that the Saints would end up winning 45-35. The game was high scoring, high on offense game. I would expect this one to be much of the same. The biggest advantage that the Saints have is the crowd noise. Communication will be a factor for the Rams. If they can take the crowd out of the game early and keep them out of it, they have a chance to win. The Saints defense will need to get their A+ game on when it comes to rush defense as the Rams had a lot of success running the ball against the Cowboys. The Rams didn't have Aqib Talib during that Week 8 game as well. Could be a factor but I feel with Drew Brees at the helm of the ship, I think they will be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl.

New England (12-5) @ Kansas City (13-4) (CBS): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Patriots beat the Chargers and the Chiefs beat the Colts in the Divisional round. The two teams are teams that love to throw the ball. Weather will be a factor as the temperature could reach the single digits with some wind. Despite the weather, I feel that there will be points scored in the game, just not in the 40+ range. The keys for the Patriots is to get Rob Gronkowski involved in the offense as well as playing rock-solid defense as Patrick Mahomes will not be intimidated by zone defenses. The key for the Chiefs will keep the same success with their rushing game against the Patriots defense. The Chiefs defense needs to contain Tom Brady and the Patriots running game. Keeping Tom Brady off his rhythm will be a factor in the game. The Patriots don't particularly do well in road playoff games, with the exception of neutral site games like the Super Bowls the Pats were in. Despite all this, I feel the Patriots will still edge out on the Chiefs and give the Patriots their 11th conference title.

I'll probably do a short Conference Championship recap post shortly after the games are done. It'll either be on Sunday or Monday. I plan on keeping the Super Bowl post a separate post. Until then, have a good weekend and enjoy the games!

-Tom