Here they are, the playoffs. One of my favorite times of year as a football fan. Here is your complete guide to the 2019 NFL playoffs.
Ranking the QB’s
1. Drew Brees: Brees has played like an MVP candidate all year. Although I think the clear MVP is Mahomes Brees sits here on the list because experience is key when it comes to the playoffs. The more you have of it, the better. Brees also has the most weapons of any QB on this list as well.
2. Tom Brady: Listen, you can doubt Tom Brady all you want. That’s fine, go for it. When he’s back in the big game yet again though don’t come crying to me. I’ll just be here saying I told you so. The Patriots are the best team in the league at throwing the 10 yard curl route, they will destroy you with the short to intermediate passing game. To think Brady won’t come to play in the playoffs is Naïve. Not to mention the fact there is only really one dominant pass rush in the AFC field and it belongs to the Ravens. If you can’t hit Brady you won’t beat him.
3. Russel Wilson: Wilson hasn’t jumped off the page as far as his stats are concerned this year. The Seattle QB only has 3,448 yards this year. That said, he’s also thrown 35 TD’s and only 8 Int’s. The Seahawks QB just does not turn the ball over. Throwing touchdowns, keeping the ball out of the other team’s hands, and playoff experience easily put Wilson at 3 on this list.
4. Andrew Luck: People are discounting Luck. This makes absolutely no sense to me. Have you forgotten that he’s a beast in the playoffs until he plays the New England Patriots? Luck has grown so much as a passer as well since his last playoff appearance. He may not have as many weapons as Patrick Mahomes but he makes just as many aw inspiring throws as the young KC QB. I trust a vet in the playoffs and that’s why Luck sits ahead of Mahomes.
5. Patrick Mahomes: Could you argue for Mahomes number one? Yes. However I value playoff experience so much that he falls to five. That and the fact he hasn’t been as terrific down the stretch of the last four games. Mahomes missed some throws against Seattle. Would it shock me to see Mahomes in the Super Bowl? Honestly, yes. I think there is something different about the QB position in January that Mahomes has to learn how to master. It will be interesting to see if Mahomes proves me wrong this post season, he’s done it at every other turn thus far.
6. Jared Goff: Goff struggled down the stretch but I am confident he is ready for the playoffs. Last year was his learning year, the Rams young QB will be more than ready to go this time around. The deep ball needs to be found once more for this offense. They’ve lost it for the last few weeks. If Goff can stretch the field vertically and limit turnovers, something he struggled with in December throwing 6 in the final month of the season, the young gun should have success in the post season.
7. Philip Rivers: Rivers is low on this list. Mainly because he’s never had success in the playoffs before. However he’s had an MVP level regular season throwing for 4,308 yards and 32 touchdowns. Rivers has the most talent he’s had around him in a while. He can maximize and make a real run in the 2019 playoffs. His O line is also playing its best football allowing 0 sacks against a potent Broncos pass rush in week 17.
8. Nick Foles: America has a problem, and that problem is underestimating Nick Foles in January. Look I’m not going to count this guy out until he totally falls apart. In week 17 Foles played his best game of the year by far and I honestly think that will continue into the playoffs. The Bears need to watch out.
9. Dak Prescott: Game Managers win in December, they struggle in January. Dak is coming off his best game of the season though. Winning in Jerry World against a Seahawks defense that loves to give up big plays may not be as hard as I think. It wouldn’t shock me at all if Dak made a surprising run in the NFC. This is his second go around at the playoffs after all.
10. Deshaun Watson: I feel bad putting Watson this low. I think he’s better than Prescott and Foles but this is why I have him at 10. He’s never seen the playoffs before. He’s down two of his top three wideouts. And his offensive line struggled mightily in December. I want to see him succeed in January, I just need to see it first. I think that’s fair.
11. Mitchell Trubisky: Bears fans will get mad at me. Heres a fact though Trubisky hasn’t thrown for over 250 yards in a game since November 11th. He’s not a bad QB, he doesn’t turn the ball over to much, but if you’re basically Alex Smith, how far can you alone actually take a team. If the Bears win, they’ll have their defense to thank.
12. Lamar Jackson: Theres a chance Jacksons style works in the playoffs. I want to see it first though. Also, he’s shown spurts as a thrower in December, the Ravens need to let him air it out in these playoffs.
Predictions
Wild Card Weekend.
Seahawks 27 Cowboys 20: Russel Wilson comes out strong. The Cowboys defensive backs can’t keep up with Doug Baldwin and a hot Tyler Lockett.
Colts 31 Texans 17: Andrew Luck stays well protected and is able to carve up a struggling Houston secondary. To win this game the Texans must get the ground game going. Lamar Miller has a hot hand, keep it that way.
Eagles 17 Bears 10: Call me crazy but there is no one in the NFC I trust more right now at head coach than Doug Pederson. He’s done this before, he can scheme up the game plan to do it again.
Chargers 23 Ravens 20: A tight game that comes down to the Kicker. A spot at which the Chargers seem continually cursed. They make the kick this time though. I think seeing this offense twice in three weeks is actually a huge advantage. They should be able to figure out a way to stop this unique Jackson lead attack.
Divisional Round Weekend
Saints 31 Eagles 24: The Eagles give the Saints a scare but New Orleans survives at home.
Colts 31 Chiefs 28: In a rematch of one of the greatest playoff games in recent memory the Colts emerge victoriously. I think Luck and Marlon Mack will absolutely toast this Chiefs defense and Mahomes simply hasn’t seen the kind of linebackers the Colts have. Experience wins out in the playoffs.
Rams 42 Seahawks 38: People are sleeping on the Rams and I don’t like it. I think Goff and McVay are ready for a deep playoff run. This game would be a toss up in my opinion but the Seahawks always struggle in LA so I give this one to the Rams.
Patriots 27 Chargers 17: Tom Brady does just enough and the Patriots running game gashes the Chargers.
Conference Championships
Rams 38 Saints 34: People have somehow forgotten how good the Rams have been most of this season. I just feel like this team is destined to get to the Super Bowl.
Colts 27 Patriots 21: Andrew Luck finally gets past the Patriots in the playoffs and the Colts head to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl
Rams 42 Colts 28: Aaron Donald is the answer to the Colts overpowering offensive line and the Rams out gun the Colts.