A have a look at this Sunday’s large video games.
When the NFL season began, it was onerous to foretell who would make it this far and be one the 4 remaining groups that also have a shot on the Tremendous Bowl. After all, the Patriots are often a protected wager, however it’s onerous to consider many individuals had Kansas Metropolis, the L.A Rams, and the Saints competing for a Lombardi trophy.
Every recreation will see a youthful quarterback go up towards a Tremendous Bowl winner, whereas all 4 groups have some the perfect fenses within the league. Each matchups pit a primary seed towards a second seed. There are not any underdogs anymore. These are the 4 finest groups the NFL needed to fer this season.
With such an vital weekend upon us, it will in all probability be a good suggestion to check out every matchup and see how these groups stack up towards one another.
NFC Championship
Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints, on Fox at three:05 p.m. EST
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The primary matchup the weekend will likely be a battle the fenses. Drew Brees and the Saints will likely be seeking to head again to their second Tremendous Bowl since 2010, whereas Jared Gf and the Rams try to show themselves as an up and coming powerhouse within the league.
Earlier within the season on November 4th, the Saints defeated the Rams by a rating 45-35. With a complete 80 mixed factors, the sport lived as much as the hype on the subject of simply how dominant each these groups are on fense. Gf had 391 yards in that recreation and threw three touchdowns. In the meantime, Brees had 4 touchdowns and threw for 346 yards. It was a backwards and forwards recreation for the ages and soccer followers have rightfully been salivating over the chance a rematch.
On the fensive aspect the ball, the Rams have a slight benefit regardless of being outscored by the Saints again in November. The Rams scored 32.9 factors per recreation which ranks them second within the league in scoring. They have been additionally second in whole yards per recreation, third in dashing yards, and fifth in passing yards. The crew’s operating recreation was led by Todd Gurley who had 1042 dashing yards and 17 touchdowns. All stats courtesy nfl.com.
The Saints are not any slouch, rating third in factors per recreation with 31.5. Whereas the crew places up a ton factors, they do it in fewer yards. At 379.2 yards per recreation, they ranked eighth within the league, whereas placing up the sixth finest dashing fense and 12th finest passing fense. Working backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram have been a dynamic duo for the Saints this season and have been an enormous motive for his or her fensive success. They mixed for 20 touchdowns and over 1400 dashing yards. All stats courtesy nfl.com.
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Defensively is the place each groups begin to crumble. The Rams gave up 24 factors a recreation within the common season, whereas additionally forfeiting 358.6 yards per recreation. These totals have been ok for 20th and 19th within the league respectively. If the Saints actually wish to expose the Rams, it must be with the run, because the Rams have the 23rd ranked rush protection within the league, giving up a median 122.three yards. Their passing protection was common, rating 14th within the NFL. All stats courtesy nfl.com.
As for the Saints protection, the Rams must undergo the air to essentially expose them. New Orleans has the fourth-worst passing protection within the league, giving up 268.9 yards per recreation. The Saints killed the league on rush protection although, solely giving up 80 yards a recreation which made them the second-best crew within the NFL in that class. In phrases factors allowed, the Saints have been ranked 14th, giving up roughly 22 factors per recreation. All stats courtesy nfl.com.
This recreation will most certainly come all the way down to the expertise hole between these two squads. Brees and Saints head coach Sean Payton received a Tremendous Bowl collectively again in 2010 and have the Championship pedigree required to make it again to the massive recreation. Though, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how Gf responds to the strain being a younger quarterback within the largest recreation his life.
AFC Championship
New England at Kansas Metropolis, on CBS at 6:40 p.m. EST
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Now no disrespect to the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints however let’s be sincere…That is the sport everyone has been ready for. How might you not be excited? New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is taken into account by many as the perfect quarterback all time. In the meantime, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes racked up 50 touchdowns in his first full season within the league and is one essentially the most thrilling gamers in the complete NFL.
Not solely are each these quarterbacks spotlight reel machines, however in addition they produced one essentially the most thrilling video games the yr. Again on October 14th in a recreation in New England, each groups mixed for 83 factors, with the Patriots profitable 43-40 on a last-second area aim. Regardless of shedding, the sport cemented Mahomes as one the perfect younger quarterbacks within the league. He completed the sport with 4 touchdowns and two interceptions, together with 352 passing yards in addition. Brady got here alive within the recreation as effectively, notching a landing and 340 yards.
Having simply talked about these two groups and their fensive showdown from October, it’s no shock that they each have some the perfect fenses in the complete league. Beginning with the Chiefs, they averaged 35.three factors per recreation which was the perfect within the league by three factors. In addition they had the third-best passing fense and 16th finest operating recreation. In addition they averaged essentially the most yards per recreation within the league, with 425.6. With numbers like these, it’s completely no shock that the Chiefs tore up the league this yr. All stats courtesy nfl.com.
The Patriots are not any slouch themselves, scoring 27.2 factors per recreation which was the fourth-best common within the league. Each the crew’s operating recreation and passing recreation have been constant, ending fifth and eighth within the league respectively. Averaging 393.four yards per recreation, the Patriots had the fifth finest whole fense in the complete league. Numbers apart although, Tom Brady has lots expertise on the subject of taking part in AFC Championship video games, so he’ll be greater than able to go toe-to-toe with Mahomes if the sport turns into a shootout. All stats courtesy nfl.com.
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Defensively, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs is likely to be in bother. They’ve the 31st ranked go protection and the 27th ranked rush protection which may have Brady and his operating backs James White and Sony Michel salivating. The Chiefs additionally gave up 26.three factors per recreation which ranked 24th within the league. With all these numbers thought-about, Kansas Metropolis may have their work reduce out for them on Sunday. All stats courtesy nfl.com.
Whereas the Patriots don’t have an ideal protection, they’re undoubtedly higher than Kansas Metropolis’s. They gave up the seventh most factors per recreation with 20.three whereas registering the 22nd and 11th finest go and rush defenses. Whereas their protection is best than the Chief’s, they have been nonetheless lit up by Mahomes and firm only a few months in the past in order that they’ll need to watch out come Sunday. All stats courtesy nfl.com.
Identical to the sport between the Rams and the Saints, this recreation will most certainly come all the way down to expertise and figuring out methods to win in high-pressure conditions. Brady has been to eight Tremendous Bowl video games and has received 5 championships. In the meantime, Mahomes performed his first playf final weekend towards the Indianapolis Colts.
Regardless, it’s positive to be a enjoyable recreation to observe, particularly with Accuweather reporting some awfully chilly climate come Sunday.
Who do you suppose goes to win this weekend and make it to the Tremendous Bowl on February third in Atlanta?