Wild Card Weekend always produces some surprises. Today’s games include the Kansas City Chiefs who looked hopeless a month ago. The Tennessee Titans were up and down all season long. Hard to predict which team will win but I’ll go with the Chiefs who are 8 1/2-point favorites. The Falcons were the preseason pick to win the NFC again and go back to the Super Bowl. But a big obstacle stands in their way: the surprising LA Rams. No one picked the Rams to made the Playoffs. Many “experts” think the Rams might be headed to the Super Bowl instead of the Falcons. This game is easily the most intriguing matchup of Wild Card Weekend. I’m picking the Rams (6-point favorites) to win and continue their astonishing run to greatness. Who do you think will win today?
Yesterday evening I was really surprised – for the first time I saw announcements for the NFL games in our German magazine SPIEGEL (comparable to Time):
http://www.spiegel.de/sport/sonst/nfl-playoffs-wer-kann-tom-brady-und-die-new-england-patriots-stoppen-a-1185765.html
Wolf, billions of dollars are wagered on this NFL games all around the world.
Who would have believed the Chiefs would be there after losing to both the Giants and Jets? To me, it shows the inherent weakness of the AFC this year. Whoever wins this game is doomed next week. I have been impressed by the Rams too, and expect them to beat the disappointing Falcons, who, after all, gave away the Super Bowl they had won last year.
Jeff, even the Bills beat the KC Chiefs. The AFC is full of mediocre teams. But, the LA Rams look like the Real Deal. Good luck on the last leg of your trip to the Sunshine State!
The NFL still leaves a bad taste in my mouth! I’ll find something else to do while these games are on!
Bob, I hope you tune in tomorrow for the Bills vs. Jags game!
Naturally, we’re on tenterhooks here waiting for the Saints-Panthers match-up on Sunday…but I’d love to see the Rams takedown our arch-enemies, the Falcons; however, I have a feeling the “Dirty Birds” may surprise us and put a beat down on the Rams.
Deb, the Rams have a lot of talent, but they haven’t been in the Playoffs before. The Falcons are old hands at Playoff competition. If the Rams make too many mistakes, the Falcons will soar!
Go, Bills!
Go, Saints!
Jeff, I just came in from snowblowing my driveway in -15 degree windchill. Big Orange started on the first pull of the cord–what a welcome sound! Despite the arctic conditions, Big Orange and I cleared the new snow that fell overnight. I have to run out and buy a Powerball ticket for tonight’s drawing, but then we’re hunkering down to watch these NFL games.
I expect it will be Chiefs and Rams winning. I’d rather it be Titans, but they have been so up&down. Still, KC is peaking, Titians, not.
Rick, it’s always a question of which “team” will show up. Both the Chiefs and Titans have had their Jekyll and Hyde moments this season.
Agree with Jeff: go bills and saints.
I’ve got mixed emotions about the Rams. I love that they are showing the judas chargers they are the top team, but they did to St. Louis what the judas chargers did to san diego.
Our paper today had an item about how the citizens of LA are not watching either the rams or the chargers. The chargers averaged 6.0 rating in the first season in LA which is reduced when the season opener and the 2 games with the raiders (who have a bigger LA fan base) aren’t included : 5.2. The rams averaged 8.0 in their second season in LA>
the chargers had an average of 26.7 from 2012 -2016 in SD, but the last year here it was 24.4 as fans were disgusted with the team owners.
the numbers of rams/judas chargers combined this year were 14.0 and the sd rates for the judas chargers were 14.2 this year
also noted: P. Rivers will continue to live in SD and commute to Costa Mesa via chauffeured limo/suv. He uses the time to study game videos, etc.
Maggie, our sports talk radio station had a piece on LA Ram attendance for this Playoff game. Tickets are still available online–at a discounted rate! Fan support has been tepid.
Maggie, the Rams left Cleveland to move to L.A., then after many years left L.A. to go to St. Louis, so they already had stiffed two cities before they returned to L.A. this time. When it comes to taking the money and running, they are the sluts of the NFL.
ps go chiefs. the paper also had an item about it probably was QB Alex Smith’s last season there. He’s a local boy, Helix High team mate of reggie bush
Maggie, ESPN had a story about the number of NFL QBs who will be entering Free Agency this season. Highest number ever!
While at the same time the number of teams needing a quality QB is also very high.
The first half looks like K.C. will win easily.
Rick, things don’t look so rosy for the Chiefs in the Fourth Quarter: 21-16. The momentum has certainly shifted!
Wow! We went out to dinner and the score was 21-3. When we stopped at the Dairy Queen (don’t judge) for dessert, the score was 22-21 and we saw Tennessee win. The game was the Chiefs’ season in microcosm: first half, unbeatable; second half, not so much. I suspect Andy Reid will not have a job tomorrow.
/Now, back to my strawberry milkshake.
Deb, the Titans outscored the Chiefs 19-0 in the Second Half. Shockingly, this is the sixth Playoff home game that the Chiefs have lost. Alex Smith won’t be back in KC, but Andy Reid might survive.