The NFL Finals is lastly right here. Now we have two video games on Saturday, three video games on Sunday, and yet another on Monday night time for Tremendous Wild Card Weekend.
Simply as we have carried out all through the common season, we will offer you a listing of daring predictions for what we are able to anticipate to occur throughout this weekend’s contests. Somewhat than simply making a listing of 5, although, we’re going with one prediction per sport.
With out additional ado…
Maybe no NFL participant has extra laps now than 49ers tight finish George Kittle. It’s clearly Brooke Purdy’s favourite goal amongst talent place gamers aside from Christian McCaffrey. Over his final 4 matches, Keitel has obtained streaks of 4-93-2, 6-120-2, 4-23-1, and 4-29-2. That is 18 catches for 265 yards and 7 scores in a four-game span. In the meantime, just one NFL staff has allowed extra receiving yards to tight ends this season than the Seahawks, who gave 1,115 yards to gamers at that place. That features Kettle’s 4-93-2 matchup once more in Week 15. We’re betting on a repeat right here, with Kettle out once more, in opposition to a well-known opponent who struggles to defend gamers like himself.
After compiling an excellent stretch of soccer from Weeks 9 to Week 15 (70.4% completions, 14 touchdowns, 1 interception), Lawrence slowed a bit over the past three sport of the yr (67.9% completions, 1 landing, 1 decide). In the meantime, the Chargers protection picked up a bit over the second half of the yr, going from eleventh in DVOA go protection in Weeks 1-9 to 4th in Weeks 10-17. In the meantime, Justin averaged Herbert averaged 6.4 yards per try throughout Week 10. Since Keenan Allen returned to the lineup in Week 11, he has returned to 7.3 yards per try. He accomplished 71.3% of his passes throughout that stretch, whereas throwing solely 4 picks in eight video games. Jacksonville’s protection has been pass-through for a lot of the season, and that is not good for this showdown.
Invoices in opposition to. dolphinsBuffalo Assault channels 2022 Playoffs
In final yr’s postseason race, the Payments produced two of the perfect offensive performances in current reminiscence. in opposition to the Patriots In Tremendous Wild Card Weekend, Buffalo totaled 482 yards and scored 47 factors, scoring a landing on every of its first seven possessions of the sport. The one drive the Payments didn’t attain the tip zone was on their remaining possession of the sport, which included solely three kneelings. To debut, the Payments recorded 422 yards and 36 factors in opposition to headsThey misplaced in extra time solely as a result of they did not get an opportunity to the touch the ball. 5 out of its 9 engines ended up touchdown in that contest as effectively. For those who rely, that is 12 touchdowns in 16 aggressive drives. In opposition to Miami a couple of weeks in the past, the Payments put up 446 yards and 32 factors. Miami’s go protection has been massively weak this yr, and if the Payments may give Josh Allen good safety, he’ll burn it once more.
The Vikings and Giants performed one another three weeks in the past. Minnesota received that sport 27-24, buoyed by a exemplary efficiency by Justin Jefferson: The All-Professional doubtless caught 12 passes for 133 yards and a rating. That was in keeping with the efficiency of different #1 huge receivers in opposition to the Giants protection this season. New York scored simply twenty second in DVOA in opposition to the No. 1 huge receiver, based on Soccer Outsiders. Solely six groups gave up extra catches per sport (8.6) for first place than New York did. Against this, the Giants ranked third within the DVOA in opposition to #2 receivers and sixth in opposition to all different receivers. They could not deal with the perfect of the perfect, and Jefferson is the perfect of the perfect.
Bengals in opposition to. crows: Ravens protection retains it shut with out Lamar
Earlier than the bye week, the Ravens had an excellent protection. They achieved 14th in Soccer Outsiders’ DVOA rankings, ending twentieth for runs and tenth for assists. Since their bye, the Ravens have completed second within the DVOA, scoring third in opposition to runs and seventh in opposition to assists. That features a Week 18 matchup in opposition to the Bengals the place the Ravens rested a lot of gamers (particularly on offense), but nonetheless held Cincinnati to 257 complete yards and Joe Burrow to simply 5.1 yards per try. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson will not be below middle on this sport, however we’re betting the protection is protecting the Ravens within the sport longer than anticipated, even when they do not come away with a win.
hacker in opposition to. Cowboys: Jerry Jones goes again on his phrase
Earlier this week, Jerry Jones made his weekly radio look and acknowledged that if the Cowboys lose to the Pirates, Mike McCarthy will not lose his job. I do not consider him. If Dallas loses to Tampa on Monday night time (which I, a Cowboys fan, predicted because it grew to become obvious all the best way again in October that we might doubtless see that sport on Tremendous Wild Card weekend), then the Cowboys could have a brand new coach subsequent season. . It isn’t but clear if that is Dan Quinn, Sean Payton, or another person. But it surely would not be Mike McCarthy.