The opening game on Saturday night is in the NFC where No1 Seeds San Francisco [13-3] will host 6th Seed Minnesota Vikings [10-6] at the Levi Stadium, where you must favour the stronger season long form of the 49ers and Minnesota are suffering a lot of injuries. Though you cannot really write them off completely having taken the scalp of New Orleans Saints last weekend in overtime (26-20) but this might be one game too many and I expect a San Francisco win. Sunday morning (UK times) sees the first of the AFC games where the AFC No1 Seeds Baltimore Ravens [14-2] host Tennessee Titans [9-7] and as impressive a season as the Ravens have had it would be foolish to write off the chances of the Titans especially as they've just ended the reigning Superbowl champions New England in the wild card game. Baltimore do have the outstanding star players this season and also home advantage so I'll take them to win but in a high scoring game.
The other games on Sunday see AFC 4th seeds Houston Texans [10-6] travel to 2nd seeds Kansas City Chiefs [12-4] and over in the NFC the 5th seeds Seattle Seahawks [11-5] go on the road to 2nd seeds Green Bay Packers [13-3]. Should be very close but the percentage call is to side with the hosts in both games here which would set up a pair of amazing Championship Games. Have been backing Baltimore to win the Superbowl this season and Lemar Jackson is going to be the MVP so not long to go now and don't let me down guys.
Saturday 11th January 2020
NFC DIVISIONAL PLAY-OFF
Minnesota Vikings 10 @ 27 San Francisco 49ers
21:35 Venue: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-10 with running back Tevin Coleman rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns. San Francisco will now host the Green Bay Packers or the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC title next Sunday. Neither quarterback played flawlessly. The focus will land on Kirk Cousins, as it always does after big games. The Vikings quarterback was swarmed repeatedly by the Niners' defence and far too often, Cousins was in check-down mode. Even when he tried to go deep, however, the QB had zero time to throw. The 49ers never trailed, with their defence holding the Vikings to 21 yards rushing and 147 total yards. Minnesota had only seven first downs as Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins could not get on track and was sacked six times.
Sunday 12th January 2020
AFC DIVISIONAL PLAY-OFF
Tennessee Titans 28 @ 12 Baltimore Ravens
01:15 Venue: M and T Bank Stadium.
Ryan Tannehill passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Titans beat the AFC top seeds 28-12. They will now meet the winners of Sunday's Kansas City Chiefs-Houston Texans game for the AFC title on 19 January. Derrick Henry was again the story of a Titans upset playoff win, the running back racked up 195 yards on 30 carries, powering the Titans in all areas. He ripped off long runs and barrelled through defenders for key conversions, and he even used his arm when he channelled his inner 'Tim Tebow' by tossing a jump pass to Corey Davis for a touchdown. Favourites Baltimore never really allowed to get going and even Lamar Jackson was making mistakes throwing a couple of interceptions and not able to reach the heights he'd set in the regular season.
AFC DIVISIONAL PLAY-OFF
Houston Texans 31 @ 51 Kansas City Chiefs
20:05 Venue: Arrowhead Stadium.
Will update tonight's games later on ... the Texans have stormed into an early 14 point lead with two touchdowns in the opening five minutes of play. Dustin Colquitt's punt is blocked by Barkevious Mingo - another classic NFL name - and Lonnie Johnson can't believe his luck as he scoops up the loose ball to run it in for a special teams touchdown from 10 yards. There is definitely rust from the Chiefs, Tyreek Hill spills the next punt and a posse of bodies pounce on the loose ball. Keion Crossen recovers it for the Texans and they are at the Chiefs' six-yard line they go over for another touchdown and it's 21-0 to the Texans and we have barely reached the end of the opening quarter! In the 2Q Patrick Mahomes finds tight end Travis Kelce twice to score consecutive touchdowns. After trailing 24-0, the Chiefs have scored three touchdowns in 3 minutes 24 seconds. They did not let up in the second half of the game either and cruised to a 51-31 win and must surely now be favourites for the Superbowl.
NFC DIVISIONAL PLAY-OFF
Seattle Seahawks 23 @ 28 Green Bay Packers
23:40 Venue: Lambeau Field.
Green Bay Packers reached the NFC Championship game with a 28-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Davante Adams starred for Green Bay, who will visit the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers to decide who will progress to Super Bowl 54 from the National Football Conference after they beat the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday. "Adams had an unbelievable night," said team-mate Aaron Rodgers, who threw two touchdown passes to Adams. "He carried us on offence. His route running ability was incredible." Osi Umenyiora had earlier called them out "I think Green Bay Packers are one of the worst number two seed teams I've ever seen. This is the end of the road for them and I think Seattle will beat them purely because they're the better football team." Oh dear Osi, looks like Jason Bell is going to beat you !! Still you have those TWO Superbowl rings so that's going to help.
[Times shown are GMT]
Will update with the final scores later over the weekend and then look forward to the AFC and NFC Championship Games next Sunday 19th January. Then of course begin to look at the Superbowl LIV itself which will be on Sunday 2nd February in Miami and broadcast live on BBC TV in UK.
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