We’re down to eight teams remaining in the NFL postseason, and the top two seeds in each conference bounce into action this weekend. The divisional round of the playoffs has a history of memorable upsets, and this year’s slate offers plenty of intrigue.
The Minnesota Vikings, fresh off a surprising overtime win in New Orleans, face the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday in search of another upset win. Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is listed as questionable, while the 49ers hope to get pass-rusher Dee Ford back on the field.
The Tennessee Titans, having slain the dynastic New England Patriots, travel to Baltimore to face the AFC’s top seed. It’s a matchup of the NFL rushing champion, Derrick Henry, against the league’s top rushing offense in the Ravens.
The Houston Texans already beat the Kansas City Chiefs during the regular season. Now they will try to do it under the postseason spotlight in a duel between two quarterbacks selected two spots apart in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Finally, the Seattle Seahawks visit the Green Bay Packers, an unlikely No. 2 seed if ever there was one, in a game oddsmakers expect to be the closest of the weekend.
Without further ado, here are your NFL playoff game previews for Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12:
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers
TV: 4:35 p.m. ET Saturday, NBC
Records: Vikings 10-6, 1-0; 49ers 13-3, 0-0
BetMGM line: 49ers by 7
Satellite radio: Vikings feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 819), 49ers feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 827)
Vikings’ keys: Getting RB Dalvin Cook going early opens up play action against an aggressive 49ers defense. A heavy dose of play action with WRs Adam Theilen and Stefon Diggs would help QB Kirk Cousins and the offense get rolling. On the defensive side, S Harrison Smith should see plenty of action against 49ers TE George Kittle, and shutting Kittle down is the quickest way to slow San Francisco’s passing game.
49ers’ keys: QB Jimmy Garoppolo can operate under pressure, but he’s at his best when he has time to let windows open down the field. The arrival of WR Emmanuel Sanders, the emergence of rookie WR Deebo Samuel and the continued excellence of Kittle have allowed the 49ers to shed some of their early-season limitations in the passing game. On defense, the 49ers live and die with their pass rush. Rookie DE Nick Bosa is the driver of a vicious defensive line, while LB Fred Warner helps shut down the middle of the field and CB Richard Sherman is as good as ever in the secondary.
Who wins? These are two evenly matched clubs. The 49ers having home-field advantage, and a more diverse group of playmakers on offense, should allow them to survive. 49ers 24, Vikings 23
— Kyle Madson
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Saturday, CBS
Records: Titans 9-7, 1-0; Ravens 14-2, 0-0
BetMGM line: Ravens by 8½
Satellite radio: Titans feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 830), Ravens feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 802)
Titans’ keys: If RB Derrick Henry can break off a few big runs early, it’ll open up play action and potentially a big play against the Ravens’ aggressive secondary. Tennessee’s defense needs to get pressure up the middle to stop Ravens QB Lamar Jackson from picking the Titans apart. But that also means shutting down the rushing attack led by Baltimore RB Mark Ingram and his physical runs.
Ravens’ keys: Defensively, the Ravens need to gang tackle with perfect technique to prevent missed tackles and yards after contact. Against the pass, it’s all about shutting down the deep ball. S Earl Thomas will need to have a great game patrolling the back end to ensure there are no huge completions. Offensively, the Ravens have dominated but gotten into trouble when they keep committing turnovers.
Who wins? In games where Baltimore gets an early lead, it has managed to chew up the clock on long drives. While the Titans are underrated on both sides of the ball, they’re too one-dimensional offensively to keep up. Ravens 38, Titans 20
— Matthew Stevens
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
TV: 3:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Texans 10-6, 1-0; Chiefs 12-4, 0-0
BetMGM line: Chiefs by 9½
Satellite radio: Texans feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 812), Chiefs feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 815)
Texans’ keys: Get WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller going. In Houston’s Week 6 win over the Chiefs, Hopkins and Fuller combined for 14 receptions and 99 yards with no touchdowns. These are supposed to be the top weapons for QB Deshaun Watson and they need to do better than that if they’re to beat a much improved Kansas City defense.
Chiefs’ keys: Don’t turn the football over. Two turnovers by QB Patrick Mahomes in Week 6 led to a 14-point swing in the game. Mahomes has been mostly great at taking care of the football with five interceptions and two fumbles lost throughout 2019.
Who wins? Beating the same team twice in a season is a tough task and the Chiefs have improved in areas that the Texans were previously able to exploit. Expect a close and hard-fought game. Chiefs 35, Texans 30
— Charles Goldman
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
TV: 6:40 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Seahawks 11-5, 1-0; Packers 13-3, 0-0
BetMGM line: Packers by 4½
Satellite radio: Seahawks feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 828), Packers feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 811)
Seahawks’ keys: The Packers’ defense has been susceptible to big plays, and Seattle can exploit that potential weakness with QB Russell Wilson and WRs DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in the vertical passing game. Wilson, who is 0-3 in his career at Lambeau Field, completed 11 passes to the pair for 222 yards in Philadelphia. The Seahawks must find ways to limit Packers RB Aaron Jones’ efficiency on early downs. Pressuring Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers on obvious passing downs while keeping him inside the pocket will also be important.
Packers’ keys: They have been far too inconsistent throwing the ball, but it’s possible a week off could give the offense a chance to catch fire in the postseason. The goal for coach Matt LaFleur has to be creating opportunities for WR Davante Adams and Jones, the offense’s two big-play threats. The defense must win the line of scrimmage, harass Wilson and take advantage of any takeaway opportunity created by the disruption.
Who wins? A big night from Jones and an opportunistic defense should help. Packers 23, Seahawks 20
— Zach Kruse
Lines by BetMGM.com
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