Divisional games 2018

   The Patriots did what KC couldn't do by erasing the Titans form the playoffs, flat out dominating them so much that the Titans management lost their minds. The other three games did the same to their fans. All three came to the wire but they couldn't be more different from each other in how the games unfolded.

   Its impressive what Jacksonville did to Pittsburgh by going offensively toe to toe with them, Pittsburgh really missed Ryan Shazier. Although the Steelers scored 42 point on six TD's, four of them the receiver had a DB all over him and one was a hail mary type of pass to end the first half, so the Jags D had pressure on them all game especially rushing Ben Roethlisberger who got little help from his O-line, they just simply got out-schemed and had to play catch up which nobody expected. Blake Bortles did enough, he still showed some erratic throws but was able to managed the game, made plays when needed and didn't turn the ball over once, which was key.

   Same thing with Nick Foles, he didn't wow anybody but did look sharp most of the game. Atlanta was sloppy once again and Foles almost gave the game away, but Keanu Neal had other ideas and instead of picking off a lobbed pass, he did his best impression of Sagat's tiger knee and hit it back to an open Torrey Smith for the first down, the drive ended in a FG which would help the Eagles go to half time on a one point deficit. Atlanta struggled mighty from there on out getting stomped by the Eagles D and themselves with some questionable play calls. Until the fourth quarter they got close enough for a FG but it was to late, they needed a TD which Julio Jones let slip through his hands.

   I have to give kudos to the offensive minds on the Jaguars and Eagles teams, they game planned for their QBs and gave them a chance to help their offence by keeping the defense on their toes with short passes, option and trick plays backed up by a strong running scheme.

   Last but definitely not least, the Vikings-Saints game couldn't be more nerve wrecking. It looked like the Vikings where going to cruise to an easy victory with a 17-0 halftime lead against the #2 offense in the league. The Saints scored their first TD with little more than a minute left in the third quarter but then they scored three game minutes later. With five and a half minutes remaining the Vikings where going to punt it back to the Saints with a 20-14 lead and this is where it all went bananas. The punt got blocked which gave Drew Brees and the offense great field position, four plays later they score a TD with three minutes remaining, so you go OH NO that's too much time left! indeed you were correct, because 8 plays later the Vikings get into FG range and make it retaking the lead, but wait! there is a minute and half left that should be plenty for the second best offense to come back, right? Well yes you're were right again, 10 plays later they re-retake the lead with a FG with only 25 seconds left and no timeouts for the Vikings, leaving us thinking... Something incredibly amazing has to happen for the Vikings to get to FG range and have a chance... Well in all honesty something really amazing did happen, but it was more amazingly stupid.When Case Keenum lobbed the ball to Stefon Diggs who leaped to pluck it out of the sky, instead of getting tackled inside the field by rookie Marcus Williams who was right there beside Diggs even before he touched the ground, he only needed to wrap him up and take him down but instead lunged into him with his head for the big hit and whiffed completely not even touching him at all, Diggs almost runs out of bounds by himself but manages to regain his balance and take it for the winning TD. I really don't know what Williams was thinking because it even looked like he tried to avoid him maybe with the fear he would have hit Diggs before the catch but he could have stopped and adjusted, it didn't look like he was going full steam. Watching it closely, the Saints would have won this game if Williams makes this one play, sadly for him this one play eliminated his team from the playoffs, but well he is a rookie and hes got a long way to go and learn form it.

   The Jaguars will need every ounce of confidence they can gather to take on the Patriots on their turf. I believe Jacksonville's defense is the real deal and Leonard Fournette is a top 10 RB who could take advantage of the cold weather which could slow down the Patriots offense a bit. The question has always been Bortles, will he and his coaching staff be ready to make adjustments when needed? The only way i see the Jags upsetting the Patriots is if they keep them from scoring no more than 24 points and don't play catch up, if they go score by score with them then they have a shot. But I will have to go with the reigning champs on this one just because they have been here more often than not.

   The Eagles will be in front of their loud home crowd once more in what should be a really low scoring game. Foles will have to repeat his performance against the Falcons in this game counting less on his luck, going against the best defense in the league.  The Eagles squad isn't far behind which will not be easy to beat. These teams are very similar and will be decided on which team will have the ball last to try and score for the win ending with the defense shutting them down even if it's Keenum to Diggs. I'll go with the Vikings just because Keenum has proven himself more this year than Foles.