The 2021 Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs has arrived! Last week, teams battled for the last spots in the Divisional Round, and great football was played. The Pittsburgh Steelers completed their freefall. Although they started the season the most prolific and winning team in the league, going 11-0 to start the year. Then something changed. Maybe Ben Roethlisberger ran out of juice, maybe the team just checked out. However, since that 11-0 start, the Steelers finished the season 1-5 in their final six games. Now with the Divisional games set to play, NFL picks and predictions for Conference Champions and the Super Bowl are out.
Speaking of the Browns, Baker Mayfield is now the oldest QB left in the AFC playoffs. In the NFC he would be the youngest QB left. That conference is stacked with legendary players like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees. Rodgers and Brees look for their second title to put an exclamation point on their stellar careers. Brady on the other hand is trying to silence his few lasting haters by winning a Super Bowl without “Patriots” across his chest. Tampa Bay is a 3-point underdog to the New Orleans Saints, but it should be a game to remember.
Kansas City is slotted to play against the Browns, favored by 10 points. In a game that could see over 60 points scored total, there will be lots of exciting plays made. Mayfield and Odell, Nick Chubb, Mahomes and Kelce and Hill. It is going to be quite the matchup and offensive showing. A Kansas City back-to-back would be something special to see. It will take quite a run in the Playoffs to pull off for Mahomes and company.
The game that interests me the most has to be the Baltimore/Buffalo game. Many would like to see Lamar Jackson win a Playoff game, and surely the young QB is thinking that this is a time to prove himself. Josh Allen and the Bills meanwhile have the history of the franchise’s postseason woes to overcome. Either way, it would seem that fans of the NFL are going to be entertained by these two young quarterbacks looking to prove themselves. Players are often labeled as chokers when they lack Playoff wins, and neither of these players needs to have that over their heads.
Then of course there is the Green Bay and L.A. matchup. Right now, the Rams expect Aaron Donald to play, but Jared Goff is questionable. The Rams have the capabilities to win without Goff, but it will be interesting to see if they can overcome Rodgers. 11 years away from his first and only Super Bowl title, Rodgers is looking to put the cap on his career and solidify himself as one of the most elite of the elite quarterbacks.
With so many possible storylines and the Super Bowl being in Tampa Bay, it seems like an ideal situation for Brady and the Buccs. However, you can never count titles before you win them and these other seven teams might have something to say about it. There will be lots of exciting plays and moments as Super Bowl LV approaches.
