While the Super Bowl is celebrating 55 (LV) years JMO is celebrating 15 (XV) years of our breakdown of all four possible Super Bowls. If you'd like to see the previous 14 predictions you can find them consolidated here: All Four Super Bowl Previews Results.
Per usual, I'll be listing the four possible games in order of least to most compelling. This has proven to be more difficult than past years as I would be genuinely excited to see any of these potencial games. I will be including which game I think we will see, along with the winner and loser of each match-up.
Before we jump into the games I just want to point out that the two Quarterbacks in the AFC are 24 and 25 while the two Quarterbacks in the NFC are 37 and 43! What an interesting scenario.
Bills vs Packers
Due to the fact that I think the average viewer would rather see the Chiefs led by Mahomes attempt to become the first back-to-back Super Bowl winner since the Patriots did it in '03 and '04 I'm putting both Bills games at the bottom of the "compelling" list. I also think that Brady with a team not named Patriots would draw more eyeballs than Rogers. The Bills have impressed everyone this year. First time they've won the AFC East since 1995 and the first time it was a team not named the Patriots since 2008. However, the Packers have also been performing quite well this year though somewhat under the radar. This will be a competitive game but Rogers will solidify his legacy with a late game-winning drive to win his second Lombardi Trophy.
Winner: Packers
Loser: ESPN announcers who can't wait for the young QBs to start beating the ancient ones
Bills vs Buccaneers
Bills fans will lose their minds if they have to face off against Tom Brady to win their first ever Super Bowl. He is 32-3. One loss was the year the Bills signed former Patriot Lawyer Malloy and he knew the entire Patriot's playbook. Another was a meaningless week 16 game where most of the Patriots' starters didn't play. In fact, Brady has more wins in Buffalo than every Bills QB since Jim Kelly! And the consternation would continue because Josh Allen and the Bills would not be able to defeat Tom Brady while he's wearing red and orange any more than they could when he was wearing red, white, and blue.
Winner: Buccaneers
Loser: All of the Bills folding tables that will be destroyed before and after the Bills are
Chiefs vs Packers
If Mahomes advances to the Super Bowl he will be facing a Quarterback who wears number 12. Mahomes hasn't faired very well in the post season against QBs who wear this number. These are two offenses that resembe each other quite well. By the numbers the Chiefs defense is higher rated than the Packers and their offense is more explosive. Expect Mahomes to repeat in a high scoring game should the Chiefs face the green and gold.
Winner: Chiefs
Loser: Every other good QB in the league as Mahomes will be all that the commentators will talk about
Chiefs vs Buccaneers
This is the most compelling game available: The Kid vs the Goat. The up-and-comer vs the best ever. This is also the game we will see. Both championship games are rematches of regular season games. While Mahomes has suffered a concussion he will be available to play on Sunday. While the Chiefs won't defeat the Bills as easily as they did they will still represent the AFC in the Big Dance. Brady and Co went down 10-0 against Rogers and the Pack before outscoring them 38-0. Granted this was in Tampa Bay but the cold won't bother Brady. Additionally, this game I'm predicting is a regular season rematch where the Chiefs won 27-24. This game was before Brady and his WR core were clicking like they are now. This will be a back and forth game that will come down to one or two key plays. Alas, Mahomes will NOT repeat as Brady will lift his 7th trophy, pairing Manning's feat of winning the Super Bowl with two different teams.
Winner: Buccaneers
Loser: Brady haters everywhere
There you have it. Let's see how I do. Probably not well but the beauty of it all is this is Just My Opinion.
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Friday, January 08, 2021
2020-2021 NFL Playoff Preview
What a strange year it has been. It's nice to take some time to think about something that has little importance like the NFL playoffs. We have two extra games to consider due to the additional wild card teams. I'll try to break them down in the order in which they will be played
Wild Card
Saturday
AFC Colts at Bills
The Colts are the team that wouldn't have made the playoffs any other year. The Bills are the team that would have had the second bye week. This shouldn't be a difficult task for the Bills to advance.
Winner: Bills
NFC Rams at Seahawks
These two teams faced off twice in the regular season. They split those matchups, each winning their home game. A major difference in this game is that Goff had surgery 12 days ago and isn't expected to play. Even though the Rams were a playoff team two years ago, I don't expect them to be able to surpass the Seahawks.
Winner: Seahawks
NFC Bucaneers at Football Team
You read that right, an NFL playoff game is being hosted by a team called "Football Team." The Washington Mascotless team managed to win the NFC East - the division that someone had to win (interestingly, each team had sole possesion of both first and last place at some point this season). TB12 and his TB squad shouldn't have any problem overcoming the Football Team.
Winner: Buccaneers
Sunday
AFC Ravens at Titans
Last year the Titans shocked the NFL when they defeated Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. This year, when they do it again, fewer people will be surprised. It'll be closer than the last meeting, but the Ravens barely deserve to be in the post season. They won't advance past the mighty Titans.
Winner: Titans
NFC Bears at Saints
Probably the easiest game to predict. While those of us who want to see Brady succeed want to see the Saints knocked off by the Bears that isn't going to happen. The Saints will easily roll past the struggling Bears.
Winner: Saints
AFC Browns at Steelers
The Steelers are the biggest pretenders in the post season. Ranked 14th out of 14 playoff teams in the JMO power rankings the Steelers will struggle to score against the Browns. Starting 11-0 thanks to a weak schedule is the only reason the Steelers are even in the playoffs. They will bow out early.
Winner: Browns
Divisional Round
Saturday
NFC Buccaneers at Packers
Finally Brady and Rogers meet up in the Post season! While Brady doesn't have the vaunted defense that he's enjoyed with many of his Championship Patriot teams the Buccaneers D will be enough to prevent Rogers from scoring over 30 points. This will be enough to allow Brady to orchestrate a last minute scoring drive to elevate the Buccaneers over the Packers.
Winner: Buccaneers
AFC Titans at Bills
These two teams are very similar in their game plans. The trouble is, the Bills are better on both sides of the ball. Expect a close game until late in the 3rd when the Bills begin to pull away.
Winner: Bills
Sunday
AFC Browns at Chiefs
The Browns benefitted from facing off against a weak team in the Wild Card round. They don't get the same benefit this round. While the Browns Defense is impressive the Chiefs are simply too explosive to be stopped. Mayfield has made strides but he won't be able to go stride for stride with Mahomes.
Winner: Chiefs
NFC Seahawks at Saints
The Saints multifaceted attack is difficult to scheme for. The Seahawks have excellent defensive personnel but the Saints are just too innovative.
Winner: Saints
Conference Championships
Saturday
AFC Bills at Chiefs
#1 vs #2. A rematch of week 6 when the Chiefs traveled to Buffalo and didn't have too much difficulty disposing of the Bills. While Fitzpatrick and the Bills have the capacity to defeat Mahomes and the Chiefs they won't be able to stop KC late in the game as they pull away to win by over 10 points.
Winner: Chiefs
NFC Buccaneers at Saints
Brady Brees volume 3. We knew they'd meet twice this season, thanks to the playoffs we get to have episode 3 "Revenge of the TB12." Brees and Crew have already beaten Brady and Co twice. Those two games accounted for more than 40% of Bradys INTs this season. The biggest difference between TB12 wearing TB's colors (as opposed to NE's) is that Bruce Arian's preference is "go deep first" where as Belichick's passing game was quick dink and dunks that worked more like a running game. The Saints Defense is specifically structured to defend against this. If Brady is to win he will need to adjust accordingly. Brady is capable of doing this but will Arians allow him to? I doubt it. It's tough to beat the same team 3 times in one season. That may not matter this year.
Winner: Saints
Super Bowl
Chiefs vs Saints
One really can't go wrong with any of the potential Super Bowls: Bills Buccaneers has the Brady vs old rivalry angle. Chiefs Buccaneers has the Mahomes Brady rematch and this time its for the Lombardi Trophy. Chiefs Saints has two powerful passing offenses facing off against each other. Bills Chiefs has two rising teams competing to see who will be the best. Bills Saints is probably the least compelling of the matchups. Buccaneers Bills is what I'd want to see. Chiefs Saints is what I expect. The Saints will jump out to a strong early lead and then be able to rely on their secondary to prevent the explosive deep passing game of Mahomes and Hill. Expect Kelce to have a big game and if the Chiefs manage to eek out a win he'll likely get MVP honors. However, this will be Brees' opportunity to win his second Lombardi trophy and retire on top.
Winner: Saints
Just for fun, Chiefs win against the Bucs, Bills would lose to either NFC team. I usually do a pretty poor job at predicting these. Let's see if that holds true. I hope you enjoyed reading what amounts to be Just My Opinion.
Wild Card
Saturday
AFC Colts at Bills
The Colts are the team that wouldn't have made the playoffs any other year. The Bills are the team that would have had the second bye week. This shouldn't be a difficult task for the Bills to advance.
Winner: Bills
NFC Rams at Seahawks
These two teams faced off twice in the regular season. They split those matchups, each winning their home game. A major difference in this game is that Goff had surgery 12 days ago and isn't expected to play. Even though the Rams were a playoff team two years ago, I don't expect them to be able to surpass the Seahawks.
Winner: Seahawks
NFC Bucaneers at Football Team
You read that right, an NFL playoff game is being hosted by a team called "Football Team." The Washington Mascotless team managed to win the NFC East - the division that someone had to win (interestingly, each team had sole possesion of both first and last place at some point this season). TB12 and his TB squad shouldn't have any problem overcoming the Football Team.
Winner: Buccaneers
Sunday
AFC Ravens at Titans
Last year the Titans shocked the NFL when they defeated Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. This year, when they do it again, fewer people will be surprised. It'll be closer than the last meeting, but the Ravens barely deserve to be in the post season. They won't advance past the mighty Titans.
Winner: Titans
NFC Bears at Saints
Probably the easiest game to predict. While those of us who want to see Brady succeed want to see the Saints knocked off by the Bears that isn't going to happen. The Saints will easily roll past the struggling Bears.
Winner: Saints
AFC Browns at Steelers
The Steelers are the biggest pretenders in the post season. Ranked 14th out of 14 playoff teams in the JMO power rankings the Steelers will struggle to score against the Browns. Starting 11-0 thanks to a weak schedule is the only reason the Steelers are even in the playoffs. They will bow out early.
Winner: Browns
Divisional Round
Saturday
NFC Buccaneers at Packers
Finally Brady and Rogers meet up in the Post season! While Brady doesn't have the vaunted defense that he's enjoyed with many of his Championship Patriot teams the Buccaneers D will be enough to prevent Rogers from scoring over 30 points. This will be enough to allow Brady to orchestrate a last minute scoring drive to elevate the Buccaneers over the Packers.
Winner: Buccaneers
AFC Titans at Bills
These two teams are very similar in their game plans. The trouble is, the Bills are better on both sides of the ball. Expect a close game until late in the 3rd when the Bills begin to pull away.
Winner: Bills
Sunday
AFC Browns at Chiefs
The Browns benefitted from facing off against a weak team in the Wild Card round. They don't get the same benefit this round. While the Browns Defense is impressive the Chiefs are simply too explosive to be stopped. Mayfield has made strides but he won't be able to go stride for stride with Mahomes.
Winner: Chiefs
NFC Seahawks at Saints
The Saints multifaceted attack is difficult to scheme for. The Seahawks have excellent defensive personnel but the Saints are just too innovative.
Winner: Saints
Conference Championships
Saturday
AFC Bills at Chiefs
#1 vs #2. A rematch of week 6 when the Chiefs traveled to Buffalo and didn't have too much difficulty disposing of the Bills. While Fitzpatrick and the Bills have the capacity to defeat Mahomes and the Chiefs they won't be able to stop KC late in the game as they pull away to win by over 10 points.
Winner: Chiefs
NFC Buccaneers at Saints
Brady Brees volume 3. We knew they'd meet twice this season, thanks to the playoffs we get to have episode 3 "Revenge of the TB12." Brees and Crew have already beaten Brady and Co twice. Those two games accounted for more than 40% of Bradys INTs this season. The biggest difference between TB12 wearing TB's colors (as opposed to NE's) is that Bruce Arian's preference is "go deep first" where as Belichick's passing game was quick dink and dunks that worked more like a running game. The Saints Defense is specifically structured to defend against this. If Brady is to win he will need to adjust accordingly. Brady is capable of doing this but will Arians allow him to? I doubt it. It's tough to beat the same team 3 times in one season. That may not matter this year.
Winner: Saints
Super Bowl
Chiefs vs Saints
One really can't go wrong with any of the potential Super Bowls: Bills Buccaneers has the Brady vs old rivalry angle. Chiefs Buccaneers has the Mahomes Brady rematch and this time its for the Lombardi Trophy. Chiefs Saints has two powerful passing offenses facing off against each other. Bills Chiefs has two rising teams competing to see who will be the best. Bills Saints is probably the least compelling of the matchups. Buccaneers Bills is what I'd want to see. Chiefs Saints is what I expect. The Saints will jump out to a strong early lead and then be able to rely on their secondary to prevent the explosive deep passing game of Mahomes and Hill. Expect Kelce to have a big game and if the Chiefs manage to eek out a win he'll likely get MVP honors. However, this will be Brees' opportunity to win his second Lombardi trophy and retire on top.
Winner: Saints
Just for fun, Chiefs win against the Bucs, Bills would lose to either NFC team. I usually do a pretty poor job at predicting these. Let's see if that holds true. I hope you enjoyed reading what amounts to be Just My Opinion.
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