Divisional Round Record: 4-0
Overall Playoff Record: 6-4
Baltimore Ravens over Kansas City Chiefs:
Picking against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs just feels kind of wrong even in a season like this where they've struggled considerably more than any other at point during the Mahomes-era. Their defense is a tough, physical group-especially in the secondary, Andy Reid is still doing a terrific job with calling/scheming the offense and as he's proven once again over the past couple weeks, Mahomes has a gift for stepping up in big games that is unmatched by any of his active peers at the quarterback position. While a second straight win from them wouldn't shock me at all, I'm still riding with the Ravens. The Chiefs biggest weakness on defense is against the run, which plays right into the Ravens hands offensively as they have the most dynamic rushing attack in the league with Lamar Jackson and their revolving door of RB's with different skill sets/styles (Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Dalvin Cook), the physicality and coverage skills of the Ravens pass defense should cause some serious problems for the Chiefs erratic receiving corps and the absence of All-Pro guard Joe Thuney could have a huge ripple effect on the Chiefs offensive line's ability to create rushing lanes and provide Mahomes with enough time to work his magic-which is a not-so-ideal development for a matchup against a Ravens front 7 that has been dominant nearly every week this season.
San Francisco 49ers over Detroit Lions:
Just about everybody that isn't a 49ers fan will be pulling for the Lions in this game as they have an opportunity to make their 1st Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. As great as that would be to witness, I don't like the Lions chances in this game at all. While the 49ers are extremely lucky to be here after being outplayed by the Packers for about 55 of the 60 minutes of their divisional round contest, they should be extremely hungry to get back on track after such a sloppy outing on both sides of the ball and I believe that they will in a big way against a Lions defense that is just brutally awful against the pass-even with Deebo Samuel potentially being limited by the shoulder injury he suffered against the Packers. Plus, as impressive as the Lions have been in each of the past two rounds, both games were at home and traveling into a hostile environment to play the clear best defense/most complete team they've played in these playoffs so far is not a good recipe for success for a team that's had some horrific showings on the road this season (at Chicago, at Baltimore and to a lesser extent, at Dallas).
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