For essentially the most half Wild Card weekend was owned by the favorites however the Commanders and Rams had different concepts. Each accomplished upsets with the Rams profitable in dominant vogue. Up subsequent, we’ve the Divisional spherical which for my part is the very best NFL weekend of the 12 months.
Each single matchup has intrigue and will provide us one other drama-filled weekend of soccer. Earlier than the video games begin let’s go over 3 issues we’re wanting ahead to watching.
Can the Payments Cease the Ravens Dynamic Working Sport?
Buffalo simply may be essentially the most full crew within the NFL proper now. After the Broncos went up 7-0 on a gorgeous bomb by Bo Nix, the Payments fully dominated the remainder of the sport. Josh Allen was as soon as once more close to good and the balanced Payments offense managed the clock. Allen had his wow moments together with this 4th down landing to Ty Johnson.
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A giant key to this sport would be the Buffalo run sport. The Ravens protection is averaging a league low 3.6 YPC to operating backs this season. If they’ll neutralize James Cook and make the Payments offense extra one dimensional they’ve a very good probability of profitable. Once more we’re speaking about Josh Allen so simpler mentioned then accomplished.
Talking of operating sport, the Ravens as soon as once more ran throughout their opponent final week. Baltimore stacked up 299 speeding yards towards the Steelers protection to cruise to victory. To ensure that the Payments to advance they might want to shut down the Ravens run sport and make Lamar Jackson one-dimensional. It must be fascinating to observe how this performs out.
Can the Rams Pull Off the Main Upset in Philly?
One of the vital stunning outcomes from Wild Card weekend was the Rams domination of the Vikings. This sport was all LA from the beginning as they cruised to a 27-9 win on Monday night time. The large story was the Rams younger protection who sacked Sam Darnold 9 instances and made his life depressing. That is the second consecutive unhealthy sport from Darnold and the potential free agent might have damage is inventory going into subsequent 12 months.
The Rams will want their protection to play at a excessive stage once more in the event that they need to win in Philly. It’s a troublesome process for LA as they are going to be going cross-country in a raucous, cold-weather setting. Working again Kyren Williams will have to be used early and sometimes because the Rams primary focus must be to regulate the clock. If Saquon Barkley will get going it is going to be lights out on LA’s season.
Will the Commanders Proceed Their Cinderella Run?
Jayden Daniels as soon as extra labored his late-game magic to steer the Commanders into the Divisional spherical. There are a ton of spectacular stats to have a look at from Daniels’s historic rookie season however none extra spectacular than this. There have been 3 situations the place a rookie QB has led his crew to 0 punts and 0 turnovers and Daniels has all three. It’s exceptional for a rookie quarterback to have this a lot poise.
If the Commanders hope to proceed this run they might want to go to Detroit and upset the excessive powered Lions. Detroit is a juggernaut on offense main the league with 33.2 PTS/G. Their protection has its holes, so the Commanders might want to rating on virtually each possession. Additionally, don’t anticipate to see a lot punting on this sport. These two groups like to go for it on 4th down as referenced within the chart beneath.
Such a aggressiveness can in fact backfire however I like to see it. Management the ball as a lot as attainable and the Commanders have an opportunity.
Detroit is getting wholesome on the proper time with operating again David Montgomery set to make his return. The Washington protection has struggled to cease the run all season and they’ll want discover methods to cease Montgomery and the electrical Jahmyr Gibbs. As of now the O/U on this sport is 55.5 so anticipate a excessive scoring shootout.
