Another weekend of NFL playoffs, another weekend of old highlights, rivalries and all types of past performances to be brought into memory. So let’s dive into another great weekend of NFL pasts.
Tennesee Titans at New England Patriots
This game is being written off by many and if history tells us anything they’re right. To speak the experience difference alone the Titans have played in seven playoff games since 2000. The Patriots have that many in the last 2 years.
Even though these teams have only met once in the playoffs in the last 15 years the Pats have won six straight meetings, including Bradys five TD 59-0 beat down in 2009. The Titans have been outscored 221-96 over these six games.
In a game where the Patriots are favored by 13, let’s see if Marcus Mariotta can work his magic for another week.
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles
There are plenty of odd numbers behind this game. The first and the most standout is the fact that the Eagles are the first No.1 seed home underdog in NFL playoff history, Atlanta is favored by 2.5.
As for past matchups, these teams have met twice since 2000, Philadelphia eliminated Atlanta in back to back playoff appearances in 2002 and 2004. While Matt Ryan hails from Philly he’s 1-3 there all time with the latest loss coming last season 24-15.
On the other side of this Nick Foles has never won a postseason gaming losing his first with Philadelphia in 2013. This is also Doug Peterson’s first postseason trip while Atlanta visited the Super Bowl just last season.
New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings
These teams have played 11 times since 2000 including two playoff clashes. They have nearly split these 6-5 with the Vikings taking the advantage in week 1 of this season. The two times they met in the playoffs are also split 1-1 a 2000 Vikings victory and an all-time classic in a 2010 Farve-Brees matchup that ended with the Saints on top after OT 31-28.
The experience is also tilted in the Saints favor, Brees and Payton not only have a ring on their fingers but Brees has seven playoff wins alone. Case Keenum had nine career wins before this season. The Vikings have also never beat the tandem in New Orleans during their run.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers
We don’t have to stretch back far for these teams at all, just earlier this season the Jags went into Pittsburgh and blew out the Steelers 30-9. This team had lost the last five matchups against the Steelers before that.
In what I consider the game of this NFL playoff weekend the Jags will try to repeat the teams only meeting in a 31-29 win Mike Tomlins first year. Whats interesting is the QB’s with Jacksonville’s elite defense forcing five picks out of Big Ben in week 5 and Blake Bortles not breaking 100 yards last week, it will be interesting to see how these teams overcome the issues and come out on top.
