Four teams are left to play three more games before the 2018
NFL season crowns a final champion. The Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams,
New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints make for an entertaining and
fiercely competitive final four.
These are the four highest-scoring teams during the regular
season, and both games are rematches of contests where the final score reached
at least 80 combined points.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Andy Reid vs. Bill Belichick. Sure, the players matter a
whole heck of a lot. But for me, this game is framed by the tactical matchup
between two of the most consistently successful coaches of the 21st century.
Belichick has won multiple Super Bowls and has an uncanny
knack for pulling out big wins. Reid has tasted the Super Bowl once, but his
lack of success deep in the playoffs is a damning mark on his historical
legacy.
This time, Reid’s team should win. We should expect the
Chiefs to win. It’s a home game in front of the loudest fans in the NFL and a
familiar surface for what appears to be inclement weather. His offense has more
firepower and the presumptive MVP at the controls. His defensive front has
played better as the season progressed, and in turn it’s helped the coverage on
the back end. His defense will even get the emotional lift of Eric Berry
returning to the lineup, adding the leader and top tackler to the defense.
But, but...Belichick and Tom Brady. Yeah, I know. The way
the Patriots embarrassed a really good Chargers team last week serves notice
they are not to be taken lightly. As if anyone ever would.
The pick here is not against the Patriots. It’s a reflection
of my belief in this Chiefs team and its ability to break through at home. MY PICK: CHIEFS 29, PATRIOTS 26
LOS ANGELES RAMS
AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Rams really impressed with their return to offensive
proficiency in blasting the strong Cowboys defense last weekend. Getting two
100-yard rushers in the same game is a mind-boggling feat in a playoff game,
especially in the context of going against one of the NFL’s most consistently
stout defensive units.
That gives the Rams some real hope to pull off the win in
New Orleans. I do think the revitalized Todd Gurley we saw last week can find
success against the Saints' underrated defensive front, and Jared Goff will be
able to take some shots thanks in part to a very impressive offensive line that
does not get enough credit outside of L.A.
The key matchup for me is how well Rams cornerback Marcus
Peters fares against Michael Thomas. In the first meeting, the Saints standout
hung 146 yards on seven receptions on Peters in coverage on his way to 211
yards overall. Peters is better than that...most of the time. The thing is
Thomas can do that again. Between Thomas and Alvin Kamara, I think the Rams'
relative weakness at safety is a pressure point they simply cannot cover enough
to handle the Saints. Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh can help that a lot,
however. MY PICK SAINTS 31, RAMS 27
No comments:
Post a Comment