Championship Week Predictions

My prediction for the whole week:

I also predict that the Chiefs will pull away from the Titans after a close three quarters.  Mahomes and the speed of the KC offense is just too much for the Titans.

Chiefs 38 Titans 20

As for the Packers I am way to superstitious to predict this one ( never pick the Packers ever) but I will say that this game will be really really close and the 49ers will be shocked when the Packers come out and punch them in the mouth HARD.

Boris, I am also so proud of this team and it has been fun to watch this year.  I never saw this coming and even if they go down Sunday I am freaking excited for the direction this team is going in.  It would be so freaking cool if the Packers can win this one to stick it to the media and others who think this team is so mediocre/mirage.

It's all gravy. Win or lose, I am happy for this team and how they conduct themselves on the field. They support each other. They don't collapse when things get tough. They win ugly and embrace it. What's not to like and enjoy? 

I never bet or seldom make predictions.  In a weird way the Titans are hurt if Henry gains his normal 7 yds per carry or takes off on a 50 yarder.  They need 3.4 yards at a time, 20 play drives, keeping the KC O on the bench.  That and no turnovers.  If they can do this they have a chance.  

The Pack?   Head and heart.   My head says SF is the better team and at home. My key for this game is hang around and give AR a shot at the end. No missed tackles and no dropped INT s.  Why not us?

Chiefs

Packers

both close games

SF D could very well copy SEA's gameplan to stop AJ and the run and force AR to throw.  Difference is SF has the talent to make that plan work.  The only guy that could get open last sunday was DA and the occasional JG.  SEA didn't have the DB's to plaster Adams but SF does, by quantity if not by quality.  SF DL will pass rush when down and distance calls for it but maintain gap discipline to top the run. 

MLF needs to come up with the best gameplan of his young career to find the back doors in this SF D.  If he does that, AR continues at altitude and the D plays lights out, we have a chance.  For all those who have been saying basically every week that "they're winning and they still haven't played a complete game", this is the week they need to play that complete game. 

I really like what I'm hearing from Rodgers and MLF. I think SF is in for a rude awakening. Game will either be low scoring and close, like 21-17, or it will be a track meet that ends 49-45. Either way I think GB wants redemption after being embarrassed and Rodgers desperately wants a second ring. I think he will be sharp and Jones will run hard. SF will play well for sure, but I don't think it's going to be enough. 

TN will play well and keep the game tight, but Mahomes magic will win out. Predicting that one will be 35-24 Chiefs. 

GB vs. KC in the SB is ideal for the NFL in Year 100. 

I don't think a track meet is possible with either of these teams.  Grinder RB game.

I'm hoping the Titans do the same and just wear down the KC offense. 

In a 3 game stretch against NO, ATL, and LAR SF was outscored 106-104 with NO dropping 46 points on them and the Rams dropping 31. MLF is going to use those games a blueprint.  

I counter with these two arguments

1) 2 receivers capable of that kind of aerial game

2) Jimmy G in the playoffs is laughable.

NO, ATL, and LAR used a lot of outside plays on O to stress SF's edges and make them chase.  Screens, tosses, sweeps, etc.  MIN tried the same thing but SF figured it out.  Or MIN didn't have the horses (read OL) to pull it off.  

Grave Digger posted:

 MLF is going to use those games a blueprint.  

DH13 posted:

MIN didn't have the horses (read OL) to pull it off.  

Also, never underestimate the Packers defensive ability to get a couple takeaways. 

Gotta wear out SF's DL and make them chase. I want them going side to side on tosses, jet sweeps, bubble screens, etc., so they tire out and ease some of the rush, and to bring those DBs up and make them tackle to get them tired and closer to the line. Later, that will give Jones a chance to break longer runs consistently to get down-and-distance in our favor. Then we keep the chains moving with the mid-distance throws and middle runs. If we do those things successfully, Rodgers will, in the third and fourth quarters, be able to take some shots down the field and hit them -- back-breakers. This game is going to require patience on the part of MLF and Rodgers. They may have to pound and pound and go three-and-out often in the first half and rely on their D to shut down SF. Rodgers can't afford to get impatient and start holding the ball, wanting to go long or start freelancing, or he's going to let those DL tee off. 

On D, we need to cover the short stuff from the start. Jimmy G can be rattled, but you have to take away his short options, get some hits on him, and ask him to throw long. If he is successful to Kittle, his RBs, and short stuff, he'll get his feet under himself and get tougher as the game goes on. Rattle him early and often, and shake his confidence. In order to do this, of course, we have to shut down the run and make JG pass.

I think SF has the superior team personnel, and this will really be a test of where we need to upgrade personnel. If GB wins, it will really be a testament to MLF, Pettine, and the coaching staff.

Henry posted:

I counter with these two arguments

1) 2 receivers capable of that kind of aerial game

2) Jimmy G in the playoffs is laughable.

Can you name a receiver from NO or LAR off the top of your head that isn't Michael Thomas, Jared Cook, or Cooper Kupp? Maybe you guys follow those teams more closely, but it doesn't seem they're stacked with elite receivers either. 

Well, to be fair, Jared Cook is a legit 2nd receiving threat for NO.   LA has Brandon Cooks, Robert Woods, and a decent TE, but I forget his name.

I don't know.  You guys have me thinking GB could win this thing.  I'm not sure I like it.

Grave Digger posted:

Henry posted:

I counter with these two arguments

1) 2 receivers capable of that kind of aerial game

2) Jimmy G in the playoffs is laughable.

Can you name a receiver from NO or LAR off the top of your head that isn't Michael Thomas, Jared Cook, or Cooper Kupp? Maybe you guys follow those teams more closely, but it doesn't seem they're stacked with elite receivers either. 

If you're saying elite receivers then there is definitely only one.  That includes the entire TE corp as well.  Again, when your WRs are known for their blocking you've got a problem.

DH13 posted:

I don't know.  You guys have me thinking GB could win this thing.  I'm not sure I like it.

Oline plays lights out ball, they win. 

I am not going to make a prediction, what I do know is that 75 and 69 are a huge part of this game.  63,77,74 are also important, but next in line.  Everyone has to be on the P's and Q's but if those guys are off, we lose.  SF edge rushers are amazing and the pressure up the gut is 2nd to the edge...eish.  if the OL needed a reason to be pissed off, watch week 12, they were abs p'wned.

My prediction is the Packers will go all fugly on them and bring them down to their level because they suck.

Reading the headlines about how much Rodgers sucks I wondered to myself "How many of those 1st quarter TDs were passing TDs?"  I'm thinking a decent chunk but I'm too lazy to look it up. 

Point being is supposedly every team has schemed to stop Jones and make Rodgers beat them, which I find hilarious.  Is that scheming what allows the Packers to go up early and then Jones just works them in the 2nd half because they have to adjust?  Essentially pure hubris on defenses.

As janky as the pass game has been I can understand but are the scripted plays and Rodgers "sandlot" (see Lazard) enough to exploit defenses early?  When said defenses adjust it's not too hard to take away the pass game again but then it's Jones time.  Like I said, I'm too lazy to look it up but just a thought.  Not a revolutionary thought but more looking at Mayo and Rodgers going all chicken salad when they can.  I think that would say a lot about Mayo as a coach.

Titans and Packers win to set up the ugliest Super Bowl ever.

Absolutely what I want.  The half time show would be Rick Ocasek's corpse.

Too soon?

Okay, Tom Petty. 

That doesn't work either.

A live Keith Richards is almost corpse like.

That works.  Ugly and alive.  Maybe a cameo from Ron Wood and they can do his song "Knock Yer Teeth Out".

pkr_north posted:

I am not going to make a prediction, what I do know is that 75 and 69 are a huge part of this game.  63,77,74 are also important, but next in line.  Everyone has to be on the P's and Q's but if those guys are off, we lose.  SF edge rushers are amazing and the pressure up the gut is 2nd to the edge...eish.  if the OL needed a reason to be pissed off, watch week 12, they were abs p'wned.

I agree, but if 63 takes a beating from DeForest Buckner like he has in other games this year then Rodgers will be completely thrown off his game. They need that guy to lock down the middle and not let the pocket collapse. They need 74 and 77 to all be on the same page with stunts and movements because Saleh likes to move guys around. 

I think Tyler Ervin will be the X factor in this game. 

Really need good play across the board and a masterpiece from MLF, basically everything that didn't happen in the previous meeting. Head says the home team will win but coming around to view a Packer win as much more likely than I initially thought.

Seeing a win probability of 29% and 36% for the Packers and 30-35% strikes me as about right. Pretty sure it won't be the blowout that the previous game was.

I'll got 43% chance.

Henry posted:

Not a revolutionary thought but more looking at Mayo and Rodgers going all chicken salad when they can.  

An explanation for the name "Mayo" and for Lynch's advice to "take care of your chicken" all makes sense now.  We are approaching the singularity here at X4.

Chicken salad.  Check.

I think the Titans will give a better 4 quarter effort vs. the Chiefs than the Texans did, but I gotta go with Mahomes and the boys to pull it out 31-24.  

I'm too emotional about the Packers' game to truly make a pick on it.  All I can say is, the Packers have wildly exceeded my expectations for most of the games this year and I hope they can do it again for the next 2 1/2 weeks.  

Packers 27 v San Fran 26

I will NEVER forget the Terrell Owens TD........EVER!!!!  HE NEVER CAUGHT A PASS THAT WHOLE DAMN GAME UNTIL THAT TD.         Packers 35.  -   SF 31.   

Grave Digger posted:

In a 3 game stretch against NO, ATL, and LAR SF was outscored 106-104 with NO dropping 46 points on them and the Rams dropping 31. MLF is going to use those games a blueprint.  

I think those games are conveniently overlooked by fans and the media. 

SF is an extremely good team but I still think they are beatable.  NO ONE I have seen or read is picking the Packers to win.  I hope the team sees that and plays loose and hard.

I honestly don't expect a win by the Packers but I wouldn't be at all surprised if they shocked the world.

Believe or not Florio picked us to win

So did Pete Prisco. That said, the media is overwhelmingly predicting a Chiefs and Niners Super Bowl.

Grave Digger posted:

I really like what I'm hearing from Rodgers and MLF. I think SF is in for a rude awakening. Game will either be low scoring and close, like 21-17, or it will be a track meet that ends 49-45. Either way I think GB wants redemption after being embarrassed and Rodgers desperately wants a second ring. I think he will be sharp and Jones will run hard. SF will play well for sure, but I don't think it's going to be enough. 

TN will play well and keep the game tight, but Mahomes magic will win out. Predicting that one will be 35-24 Chiefs. 

GB vs. KC in the SB is ideal for the NFL in Year 100. 

Lombardi and Stram are smiling.

 I think the Titans need Henry to stay healthy for them to win. Tannehill won't beat KC with his passing. I look for KC to advance with a solid win over the Titans. KC 35 Titans 16

I love how nobody, outside of GB Packer fans, are giving the Pack any chance to win on Sunday. This team is fired up and will surprise all of the naysayers with a victory over the media darlings, the 49ers, on Sunday. Rodgers and the offense will be in sync and have their best game of the year. Our Defense is already fired up and will pressure Jimmy G, all game long. I am looking for, at least, one INT and maybe 2 fumble recoveries by the Packer Defense, as well as 3-4 sacks, to set the tone in this game. Packers 28 SF 17. GO PACK, GO!!!