2019 NFL SEASON: DIVISIONAL ROUND

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It could’ve been better…. But it could’ve been worse.

Kickoff times are MT

VIKINGS AT 49ERS, SATURDAY 2:30PM NBC

Kirk Cousins temporaily shook off the label that he cannot beat good teams. In addition to his 242 passing yards and overtime touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph, the Vikings defense sacked Drew Brees three times and forced an interception.

If you were rooting for the Saints, you didn’t like that. If you are rooting for the Vikings, it was the franchise’s first playoff overtime win.

The 49ers rebounded due to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo staying healthy all season as well as cornerback Richard Sherman returning to form by forcing three interceptions and rookie defensive end Nick Bosa making his case for DPOY with 9 sacks.

San Francisco earned the NFC’s top seed because of this goal line stand in the final game of the regular season

The @49ers stop the Seahawks at the goal line to win the NFC West! #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/nyHKB9Tioc

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2019

The 49ers faithful will have much to cheer about as their season rolls on.

49ERS 27, VIKINGS 17

TITANS AT RAVENS, SATURDAY 6PM CBS

Derrick Henry’s 182 rushing yards and second quarter touchdown powered the Titans to second round matchup in Baltimore. The Ravens led the league in rushing yards this season in part due to their offensive attack tailoring their game plan around Lamar Jackson.

Don’t let Jackson’s legs fool you. He can throw too.

Not bad for a running back indeed

This is the fourth time these teams have played in the playoffs and the road team has won all the matchups. That trend ends tonight in Baltimore as the Ravens advance to their first AFC Championship Game in 7 years.

RAVENS 27, TITANS 10

TEXANS AT CHIEFS, SUNDAY 1PM CBS

Despite taking 7 sacks, Deshaun Watson completed Houston’s comeback over the Bills with the following play that set up the game winning field goal in overtime.

Expect that play to be in the best of the year highlights when the montage looking back at 2020 takes place.

As for the Texans next opponent, Kansas City had its share of ups and downs throughout the season. The Chiefs hopes for a championship were nearly dashed when it was feared that quarterback Patrick Mahomes would be out for a serious amount of time due to a knee injury. Mahomes was only out for two games. Kansas City has won six in a row and got some help from the Dolphins in Week 17 to clinch the AFC’s 2nd seed.

The Texans proved they can go into Arrowhead and get a win in Kansas City with their victory back in Week 6.

Unfortunately, the Chiefs have a secret weapon going into this game.

Andy Reid is 22-5 after a bye week and that extra prep time could make all the difference.

CHIEFS 24, TEXANS 20

SEAHAWKS AT PACKERS, SUNDAY 4:30PM FOX

Seattle came away with a 17-9 win in Philadelphia over the Eagles MASH unit. Rookie receiver DK Metcalf caught 7 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.

In addition to that long touchdown pass, Metcalf caught a 36-yard pass in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Looking at the Packers season, only a few things stand out. Running back Aaron Jones led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns. Linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith recorded 25.5 sacks. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had an OK season throwing for 4002 yards and 26 touchdowns vs. 4 interceptions.

I’m not that impressed by the Packers’ 13-3 record. It feels almost hollow in part due to looking at their games, they won some pretty close ones against some pretty bad teams. Green Bay nearly blew their chances at clinching the NFC 2-seed in Detroit in Week 17. It took another Aaron Rodgers’ fourth quarter rally to pull out the victory and he might not have too many of those left.

Despite playing at Wisconsin in college, Russell Wilson has never won at Lambeau Field.

That changes on Sunday.

SEAHAWKS 19, PACKERS 16