Thursday late evening Edition
Wednesday Watercooler: Part 2
Every Wednesday it’s time to gather around the Watercooler and discuss the more football news, rumors, and topics from around the NFL from this fan’s perspective. Comment if you like, post a question, this is your forum to speak your mind.
Sunday’s Games
The Chiefs are always tough at Arrowhead, but why I like the Steelers to go into town on Sunday and come out on top is simple; the three B’s (Ben, Bell, Brown) or the New Three Amigos.
Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and LeVeon Bell are explosive when hitting on all cylinders. In the last 6 games that Bell has rushed for over 100 yards, including the playoffs the Steelers have won. In the same six games Brown has caught 39 balls, averaged 86.5 yards receiving, and scored 7 touchdowns. In those games the Steelers offense has generated an average of 27 points per game.
Big Ben (Roethlisberger) and company will need to start fast on Sunday, as they did last week against the Dolphins. The Chiefs defense should pose more challenges for the Steelers offense, but if running back LeVeon Bell can find some early success against the 26the ranked run defense, that will definitely open up the passing game.
From my perspeciive I see the Chiefs as being built for ball control and methodical, but they do have a couple of nice weapons in tight end Travis Kelce and the explosive wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Where I think the Chiefs will fall short in this contest, they are typically not as explosive as the Steelers; should they fall behind and have to strike big in a hurry to get back in the game, this will hurt them. This is not their strength and not the strength of their quarterback Alex Smith.
In this one the Chiefs will fight the good fight and not taking anything away from their defense I believe the Steelers offense will just be too much in the end. I’d expect the Steelers to pull away late and win this by double-digits, 35-24.
The weekend finale promises to be the best for last and I don’t think fans will be disappointed. The Dak and Zeke show should be in full effect, but this one will be all about Air-Rodgers.
By now everyone knows the statistics, everyone knows how hot Aaron Rodgers is playing and on Sunday I believe the Cowboys are going to experience it. This matchup won’t be anything like the first time these two teams hooked up earlier this season.
Americas team, the Dallas Cowboys roll into the Divisional round led by the Wonder Twins, quarterback Dak Prescott (23 passing touchdowns) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (1,631 yards rushing). Both rookies have been sensational this season, but on Sunday it will be the biggest stage either has played on in their young careers. I don’t imagine either will wilt and shrivel in the face of the challenge, but mistakes can happen.
For eight weeks, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense have virtually been mistake free and come Sunday, the Cowboys are going to have to be smart, efficient, and limit their mental errors; missed assignments, wrong reads, poor decisions.
This is the Playoffs, the divisional round. I expect to see the Packers and Rodgers make many plays on Sunday, but I question can the Wonder Twins respond. The Cheeseheads don’t have a dominant defense, so the Cowboys just need to be patient and stay their course. If they get anxious and try to do too much too soon, mistakes can happen. This is where I think this game may go and why I like the Packers on Sunday.
A couple of keys that have me leaning toward the Pack; Rodgers phenomenal play, wide receiver Davante Adams rise (997 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns this season), tight end Jared Cook (last 7 weeks of the season, 24 catches, 261 yards receiving), and the return of a healthy wide receiver Randall Cobb (3 touchdowns in the wildcard round). Having no Jordy Nelson will be tough, but Rodgers has the ability to spread the ball and find his receivers and if his line gives him the time (like last week), he will.
I can’t read minds, don’t have a crystal ball, so I will be watching this weekend’s games closely to the outcome. Regardless of the final scores, one thing I can confidently predict, these games will not disappoint.
This is my take for the Divisional Round.
~David G. Ortega
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