After 18 weeks of activity, the regular season is over in the NFL. Here is a portrait of the playoffs in the Goodell circuit with the first-round confrontations that will be presented on RDS.
National Association
Packers (1) Week Off
The first rank in the National already acquired, the Packers took advantage of the last game of their season to rest key elements. Aaron Rodgers and Devante Adams started the game, but watched the second half from the sidelines. Running back Aaron Jones was not in uniform for the Packers. After another stellar season, A-Rod led Green Bay’s offense to the top of the conference. For the second consecutive year, the road to the Super Bowl will pass through the legendary Lambeau Field. The Packers have no intention of losing their skin so easily this season.
Eagles (7) vs. Buccaneers (2) – Sunday, 1 p.m., at Tampa Bay
Aging like fine wine, Tom Brady has outdone himself again this season. The 44-year-old quarterback carried the Buccaneers to a 13-4 record and a first division title since 2007. The difference is huge for Tampa, which had to deal with three playoff games on the road last year, before to play the Super Bowl at home. The Buccs will host the Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa’s defense will need to keep an eye on Philly’s ground game; the Eagles’ rushing offense finished first in the NFL this season with nearly 160 rushing yards per game. Tampa Bay defeated Philadelphia 28-22 in the 6e activity week.
49ers (6) vs. Cowboys (3) – Sunday, 4:30 p.m. at Dallas
After an injury-plagued 2020 season, the Dallas Cowboys turned the tide and won Nationals East Division honors. The strong comeback of Dak Prestcott (4,449 yards, 37 touchdowns) allowed Dallas to have the best offense in the Goodell circuit. The Cowboys defense, led by Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, will have the daunting task of shutting down the 49ers’ diverse offensive unit. Kyle Shanahan’s system of play is tailor-made for the playoffs, with a dangerous ground attack and one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Deebo Samuel, used both as a receiver and as a running back, will have to find a way to avoid Parsons and Diggs to give his team a chance.
Cardinals (5) vs. Rams (4) – Monday, 8:15 p.m., at Los Angeles
The arrival of Matthew Stafford breathed new life into Sean McVay’s team. Stafford led his team to a division title and gave Cooper Kupp a phenomenal season. The receiver finished the season with 1,947 yards, good for second most in NFL history. Aaron Donald continued to terrorize opposing quarterbacks and Jalen Ramsey is one of the best cornerbacks in the league. On the other hand, the Cardinals surprised many observers by winning their first seven games this season. Things haven’t ended so well for Arizona, with losses in four of their last five meetings. Kliff Kingsbury has a young star quarterback in Kyler Murray on hand and the Cards are ready to make some noise in the playoffs. Section rivals, the two teams divided the two duels in the regular season. The visitors had the upper hand at every opportunity.
American Association
Titans (1) Week Off
Mike Vrabel has worked miracles with the Titans this season. The head coach lost the services of Derrick Henry for nine games due to a broken foot. Julio Jones, acquired during the offseason, played just 10 games, collecting his first touchdown in the Titans’ very last game. Tennesse has also been hit hard by COVID-19. Despite all his pitfalls, Vrabel led his troops to the top rank of the American Association. This first position allows the Titans to obtain an important week of rest. With a healthy Derrick Henry, they will be one to watch.
Steelers (7) c. Chiefs (2) – Dimanche, 20h15, Kansas City
After seven weeks of activity, the tension was palpable in Kansas City. With a 3-4 record, Patrick Mahomes and company were third in the West Division. Andy Reid’s men have pulled themselves together. They have won nine of their last ten games to escape with the section title. With all the experience of this training, we are aiming for nothing less than the Super Bowl at KC. The first challenge ahead of the Chiefs will be the Pittsburgh Steelers. In what is likely his final season in the NFL, Ben Roethlisberger will have one more chance to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy for a third time. The player to watch for the Steelers? TJ Watt. The defensive end tied an NFL record with 22.5 quarterback sacks. Kansas City destroyed Pittsburgh 36-10 in their only meeting this season.
Patriots (6) c. Bills (3) – Samedi, 20h15, Buffalo
It was harder than expected, but the Bills are still champions in the American East. Josh Allen has proven his place in the NFL’s top flight is well deserved. The quarterback threw for over 4,400 yards, in addition to rushing for an additional 763 yards. Despite the departure of Tom Brady, the Bills still find the Patriots on their way. Bill Belichick chose Mac Jones at 15e rank in the last repechage and the decision paid off. The rookie quarterback helped the Pats sneak into the playoffs with a 10-game winning record. Belichick demonstrated that his game system was still at the top of its game. The two rivals have split the honors in the two games they have played this season. New England will face the challenge of winning a second time in front of the hostile Buffalo crowd.
Raiders (5) c. Bengals (4) – Samedi, 16h30, Cincinnati
After lean years, the young Bengals have shown that they are now the kings of the north! Cincinnati won the division title for the first time in six years. Quarterback Joe Burrow had a sensational second season and the receiving trio of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd took their toll. What about their opponents, the Raiders? No team has had a more eventful season than Vegas. A tragic car accident involving catcher and first-choice Henry Ruggs III and the firing of their head coach Jon Gruden could have derailed their season. Derek Carr managed to hold the fort and brought his team to the playoffs through the front door. The Bengals edged the Raiders 32-13 in the 11e week of activities, in a game played in Las Vegas.
