AFC Results and Predictions
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I don’t believe it. I don’t believe what I witnessed this past weekend. Talk about a lack of home field advantage, both teams I expected to win this AFC wildcard weekend lost. There was some magic and mistakes but at the day, Football’s about execution. The Colts and Chargers executed more than the Ravens and Texans did.
Let’s start with the Colts.
I can’t say enough about the turn around this team has had, it’s historic. A 1-5 start had ended up with a 10-1 run since. Frank Reich produced the greatest single game comeback in both College and Pro Football during his playing days, will a third (and more impressive) type of comeback continue against Kansas City? It remains to be seen.
Speaking of comebacks, how about Andrew Luck? There was a time when some in the Football community were looking at Luck as a “Could have been but injuries” situation. In his first playoff game since “Deflategate”, his 222 yards, two touchdowns and one interception may not be the most impressive looking stat column but if you watched the game, there was no doubt he was the man in that game.
As for Deshaun Watson, it looked like he was about to lead a miracle comeback but that fell short. While I’m not going to put the loss squarely on his shoulders, there were some decisions and throws he made that were inexcusable. The ball was too short, too far, too high or too something most of the time. Let this game be a lesson to him, so that he may finally end that ridiculous notion that Black quarterbacks can’t win the big game.
Speaking of Black Quarterbacks…
Lamar Jackson, your teammates are furious with your fans for booing you during Sunday’s loss to Los Angeles (or San Diego as they should be known.) You’ve won your teammates over, which will help you in the coming years. Alas, the fans will look at your 194 yards, two touchdowns, a pick and rating of 78.8.
These numbers can win playoff games, especially with the leagues best defense at your disposal but it wasn’t to be this time. You made the Chargers nervous at the end though, and a few lucky bounces your way would’ve given you your first playoff victory.
On the flip side, it’s not like Phillip Rivers was that much better. Sure, he didn’t throw an interception but he didn’t throw any touchdowns either. With 55,000 yards and almost 400 career touchdowns, the window of opportunity is closing fast on Rivers. I’d hate to see him go down like Dan Marino or especially Dan Fouts and finish as one of the best quarterbacks to never win the big game. This year might very well be his last chance and since he’s going into Foxboro this weekend….
Speaking of this weekend.
So it is that the Chargers head into New England while Andrew Luck and the Colts head into Mahomes Country in Kansas City. New England is 8-0 at home this season and their stadium has eclipsed Lambeau Field as the preeminent home field advantage. With that said, there have been instances where Brady and Belichick have been bested at home (2012 AFC Championship? 2010 AFC Divisional?). If Rivers can somehow, someway lead the Bolts past the Patriots…they might just pull off a Super Bowl win.
Do I think that will happen? No. Phillip Rivers has never been to a Super Bowl and last weeks win was just the fifth of his career. He’s going up against a man who’s been to the AFC Championship the last seven years. I believe it will be eight come Sunday night but that remains to be seen.
As for the Colts and Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes may have blown open the Chiefs offense this season but that doesn’t change the fact that their defense is garbage. 12-4 with the 31st ranked defense has never before brought home a Lombardi trophy. There’s also the fact that Andy Reid is the coach. I once saw this man blow a 28-point lead to…(drum roll please) Andrew Luck and the Colts. Will lightning strike twice? Like LA vs. NE, it remains to be seen.
At the end of the day, however, the great thing about the NFL is that we never know what’s going happen. I never would’ve thought the Texans would fade out like they did against the Colts, nor did I think Phillip Rivers and the Chargers would defeat the leagues’ top rated defense. You just never know what’s going to happen and I don’t know what’s going to happen this weekend. I just have an opinion, which doesn’t mean much when it comes to final scores.
By Thomas P. Braun Jr.