GGL Playoff Picks- Division Round
Chargers vs Chiefs
History
We starts in the AFC where we have a pair of divisional games for the right to go the AFC Championship. The first of the two division games is the Chargers vs the Chiefs. The teams split their regular season meetings with the Chargers winning the first one 34-31 (Mahomes was injured in the first quarter) and the Chiefs won the second one 33-3.
By the Numbers
Chiefs
QB-Patrick Mahomes- 172-310 / 2761 yards / 20 TD’s / 9 INT’s / 94.8 QB RAT (1st in QB Rating)
RB-Isiah Pacheco- 347 carries / 1589 yards / 4.58 YPC / 9 TD’s (4th in rushing yards)
WR- Rashee Rice- 58 catches / 1175 yards / 20.26 YPC / 7 TD’s (7th in receiving yards)
5th overall offense
11th passing offense
2nd rushing offense
14th overall defense
24th passing defense
2nd rushing defense
Chargers
QB-Justin Herbert- 235/457 / 3309 yards / 22 TD’s / 23 INT’s / 70.2 QB RAT (8th in passing yards)
RB- J.K. Dobbins- 247 carries / 977 yards / 3.96 YPC / 5 TD’s
WR- Collin Johnson- 62 carries / 938 yards / 15.13 YPC / 6 TD’s
9th overall offense
8th passing offense
18th rushing offense
5th overall defense
8th passing defense
9th rushing defense
Pick
It’s hard to go against the Chiefs here. Generally speaking the team with the elite QB wins games. And Mahomes is uber-elite in this league. I am fascinated by the Chargers defense though. They are capable of putting up great performances. In the end, I’m going with Mahomes.
Chiefs 28
Chargers 17
Jets vs Dolphins
History
As division rivals, the Jets and Dolphins met twice during the season. They opened and closed the regular season with each other. The Dolphins won both meetings. They won week one in Miami 19-13 and then week 17 in New York 35-20. Both teams have some injuries, though the Jets have a few more key injuries than do the Dolphins.
By the Numbers
Jets
QB-Aaron Rodgers- 171-390 / 2504 yards / 14 TD’s / 23 INT’s / 52.8 QB RAT
RB-Breece Hall- 367 carries / 1609 yards / 4.38 YPC / 7 TD’s (1st in rushing yards)
WR-Garrett Wilson- 56 catches / 870 yards / 15.54 YPC / 5 TD’s
15th overall offense
30th passing offense
1st rushing offense
14th overall defense
24th passing defense
2nd rushing defense
Dolphins
QB-Tua Tagovailoa- 226/449 / 3822 yards / 30 TD’s / 10 INT’s / 92.5 QB RAT (1st in passing yards and passing TD’s and 2nd in QB Rating)
RB- Jaylen Wright- 188 carries / 868 yards / 4.62 YPC / 8 TD’s (5th in rushing TD’s)
WR- Jaylen Waddle- 71 catches / 1414 yards / 19.19 YPC / 12 TD’s (4th in receiving yards and YPC, and 6th in receptions)
8th overall offense
3rd passing offense
18th rushing offense
5th overall defense
8th passing defense
23rd rushing defense
Pick
The Dolphins seem like they have the Jets number based on the two earlier meetings, one of which just happened. It’s also worth noting that the Jets are saddled with some significant injuries that won’t help there cause. There’s one way the Jets win this game and that’s to pound the rock with Breece Hall. It certainly can happen. But the odds are in favor of Tua and the Dolphins passing attack.
Jets 21
Dolphins 31
Cowboys vs Buccaneers
History
The NFC East and the NFC South meet in this divisional playoff game. The teams met during week 8 of the regular season in Dallas when the Cowboys squeaked out a 13-9 win. Neither team could move the ball much though the Bucs did pass for 200 plus yards. They also turned it over twice which they will not want to repeat in the rematch.
By the Numbers
Cowboys
QB-Dak Prescott- 233-457 / 3226 yards / 22 TD’s / 17 INT’s / 74.5 QB RAT (7th in passing TD’s, 10th in passing yards and QB Rating)
RB-Ezekiel Elliott- 318 carries / 1188 yards / 3.74 YPC / 3 TD’s
WR-Courtland Sutton- 60 catches / 763 yards / 12.72 YPC / 5 TD’s
12th overall offense
14th passing offense
12th rushing offense
3rd overall defense
4th passing defense
13th rushing defense
Buccaneers
QB-Baker Mayfield- 252-488 / 3580 yards / 27 TD’s / 22 INT’s / 75.3 QB RAT (3rd in passing TD’s, 5th in passing yards, and 8th in QB Rating)
RB-Rachaad White- 326 carries / 1442 yards / 4.42 YPC / 4 TD’s (8th in rushing yards)
WR- Mike Evans- 97 catches / 1430 yards / 14.74 YPC / 4 TD’s (1st in receptions and 3rd in receiving yards)
4th overall offense
6th passing offense
8th rushing offense
10th overall defense
17th passing defense
3rd rushing defense
Pick
The matchup seems pretty straightforward. If the Bucs turn the ball over too much they will lose. This is the way the Cowboys have beaten teams all year. If the Bucs take care of the ball they win. They have too much on the offensive side of the ball.
Cowboys 14
Buccaneers 24
49ers vs Packers
History
The only one of the four games with no history between the two teams. The Packers and 49ers did not play in the regular season and since this is year 1 of the GGL there is no other history. The 49ers come into the game not in the greatest of forms and that’s probably due to their starting QB Brock Purdy being injured. It looks like he will not play in this one either. The Packers come into the matchup with a modest two game winning streak.
By the Numbers
49ers
QB-Brock Purdy- 229-412 / 3641 yards / 22 TD’s / 14 INT’s / 88.9 QB RAT
RB-Christian McCaffery- 344 carries / 1590 yards / 4.62 YPC / 10 TD’s
WR-Deebo Samuel- 59 catches / 1007 yards / 17.07 YPC / 7 TD’s
1st overall offense
2nd passing offense
3rd rushing offense
19th overall defense
26th passing defense
14th rushing defense
Packers
QB-Jordan Love- 233-430 / 3520 yards / 25 TD’s / 16 INT’s / 85.2 QB RAT
RB-Josh Jacobs- 318 carries / 1411 yards / 4.44 YPC / 9 TD’s
WR- Romeo Doubs- 69 catches / 1083 yards / 15.70 YPC / 6 TD’s
6th overall offense
10th passing offense
7th rushing offense
9th overall defense
10th passing defense
10th rushing defense
Pick
Purdy’s absence is such a loss for the 49ers prolific offense. The Packers have to be favored as they are probably the better team without Purdy. However, Madden likes to do stuff and plus the 49ers still have significant weapons, so I’m taking the 49ers for no logical reason.
49ers 28
Packers 27
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