Getty Gallery: 4/5
NFC Championship: No.1 Saints Over No. 2 Rams
The Bears are in the mix here, but I do not think they have enough offense to get past the Rams. Chicago took advantage of a poor Rams showing last month, but Sean McVay will be able to make the adjustments needed to reach the NFC Championship.
For the Saints, it is no cake walk to get to the conference title game. New Orleans was shut down earlier this season against the Cowboys, and the Seahawks would be able to give them a good matchup. Ultimately, the Saints balance will see them through to the next round.
The Rams looked overmatched in their matchup with the Saints earlier this season. Los Angeles gave up nearly 50 points to the Saints. The Rams have not looked like the same team without Cooper Kupp, and the offense is not as potent as it was earlier this season.
I see the Saints pulling off another win against the Rams in a highly entertaining NFC Championship matchup. Drew Brees has a great chance to get back to the Super Bowl with two potential playoff matchups coming in the Superdome. Brees noted that the Saints have tried to have a playoff mindset for a while now, so that they do not have to try to flip a switch once the postseason starts.
"It's not like, ‘oh it's time to crank it up now,’" Brees noted per the Saints website. "We've been cranking it up. I've had the same approach, had the same preparation, had that same process so that when these games come around it's to me I've been there. Been there done that, but of course just understanding that it is a single elimination tournament right? It's win or go home and, obviously, we want to win.”
AFC Championship: No. 1 Chiefs Over No. 4 Ravens
The Chiefs are not without their flaws, but Kansas City's offense combined with Arrowhead Stadium is going to be too much for the rest of the AFC to overcome. It also helps the Chiefs that the Patriots look the most vulnerable that they have in years. I have the Ravens pulling off an upset over the Patriots in the Divisional Round.
This may be Patrick Mahomes first NFL playoffs, but Mahomes has passed every test he has faced up until this point. Even if the Chiefs had to face the Patriots, I still think they have enough weapons to top New England. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid believes his quarterback is ready for the moment.
“Everything is a little faster in the playoffs, that’s how things go," Reid explained per Chiefs.com. "At the same time, he has to be himself and continue to lead and play like he has been doing. I don’t think he will have a problem with that. I think he understands that. He is wired the right way to handle all of it. The main thing is, let’s get in and get busy so you can allow yourself to perform at the level you have been and also continue to get better each and every week that you have that opportunity to.”