2020 NFL Playoffs | Championship Sunday
Kickoff: 3:05 PM EST
Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) @ Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Players To Watch: Bucs’ WR Chris Godwin and Packers’ RB Aaron Jones
Postseason Stats:
Godwin (2 Games) | 19 Targets | 9 Receptions | 113 Yards | 1 Touchdown
Jones (1 Game) | 14 Carries | 99 Yards | 1 Touchdown
Jarrett’s Notes: Two very exciting games this weekend, as the winners will be their conference’s representative in Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay.
The Bucs could very well be the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium. That said, that feat can only be accomplished by defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, in January—no cake walk here.
Chris Godwin looked like the next big thing in receiving with Jameis Winston at quarterback, but with Tom Brady, he has not had quite the breakout we had all anticipated. Injuries and drops have plagued the 24-year-old throughout the 2020 season, and during the postseason.
He is second only to Stefon Diggs (20, with 14 receptions) in receptions (19 with 9 receptions), but has recorded five less receptions and 121 less yards. While some of that isn’t completely his fault, the Bucs’ season could hinge on the Philadelphia native having a great day against the Packers’ secondary.
Conversely, the Packers have had an incredible season passing the ball, but the run game is necessary to set things up for Rodgers to have open passing lanes. Luckily for Green Bay, they boast an excellent backfield anchored by Aaron Jones, who, in one game this season, took the rock for one-yard short of 100 against the Rams.
Jones will likely need to have another big day against Todd Bowels’ Bucs for the Rodgers and the Packers to overcome Tom Brady and Tampa’s high-powered offense.
This should be an instant classic. The battle of the Bays. Brady vs. Rodgers, two former MVPs who still give it all every week and who remain at the top of their respective games.
When it’s all said and done, the battles in the trenches will decide this one, with the Packers’ offensive line having a slight edge over the Bucs heading into this Championship Sunday showdown.
Projected Score: 33-31 Packers Win
Jack’s Notes: New year, new team, new coach, new offense, new system, same Tom Brady. Brady has made it to the Super Bowl in nine out of his 20 seasons in the NFL. Last season broke a streak of three straight appearances for Brady in the big game. He has a nose for winning and it’s hard to bet against Brady in a critical situation like this. On paper, it looks like the Packers have a better squad all around, but paper doesn’t account for Brady’s ability to win big games. The Buccaneers could be staying at home for the Super Bowl this season, but in a good way as Tampa will host the socially-distanced championship.
Projected Score: 28-24 Bucs Win
Dylan’s Notes: Great way to start championship Sunday. The better game of the two in my opinion comes here as Tampa heads to Lambeau for a massive battle between two legends. Right of the bat; I am going with the Pack and Rodgers to get the job done at home. They are my pick to win the Super Bowl this year; and it starts at home today. I understand what happened week 5 but that was a long time ago. The Bucs not having AB will definitely play a role here. Scotty Miller has proven serviceable but I think the Packers defense has something to prove. Both QB’s will play well. I think that is inevitable at this point. I like a high scoring fun game here but the Pack will find a way late.
Projected Score: 33-27 Packers Win
Kickoff: 6:40 PM EST
Matchup: Buffalo Bills (13-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (14-2)
Players To Watch: Bills’ WR Stefon Diggs and Chiefs’ TE Travis Kelce
Postseason Stats:
Diggs (2 Games) | 20 Targets | 14 Receptions | 234 Yards | 2 Touchdowns
Kelce (1 Game) | 10 Targets | 8 Receptions | 109 Yards | 1 Touchdown
Jarrett’s Notes: Speaking of instant classics, the No. 1 and No. 2 offenses going toe-to-toe against middle-of-the-pack defenses spells a fun game offensively. We’ll start with No. 2, with the Buffalo Bills, who have surged to the top of the NFL this season thanks in large part to the Josh Allen-Stefon Diggs connection.
Diggs might be the most talented wide receiver in the game of football. He has a nose for the end zone and almost always finds himself open down the field against many of the league’s best defenses and corners.
He has continued his legacy of being a superstar stud in the postseason, and has helped Buffalo return to relevancy. If he has even a good day at Arrowhead, the Chiefs will be in trouble, if he has a great day, we’re likely to see the Bills in the Super Bowl.
While there are very few questions about the health of the Bills, the Chiefs got a big scare last week when Patrick Mahomes went down with a concussion.
Now Mahomes has passed all of the NFL’s protocols and is definitely going to start this game, but as someone who took many a hit to the head in high school football, I can say that brain injuries are a dangerous game and the Chiefs need to be extremely cautious about Mahomes today and going forward.
That said, the man who will define this game is the current best tight end in the game, the record-breaking Travis Kelce, who has continued his excellence into the postseason, going for over 100 yards against the Browns last week.
This projects to be a high scoring affair, between two powerhouse offenses led by two MVP-worthy young quarterbacks. If there was/is one game in this postseason worth watching all of, it would be this one.
I know my popcorn is ready.
Projected Score: 42-40 Bills Win a thriller.
Jack’s Notes: Mahomes is a magical player and there’s no doubt that he will leave everything on the field today, but he’s also going to play with a couple of injuries. While he’s been cleared to play, it’s worth wondering if he’ll still be feeling some effects of his concussion and his turf toe injury. If he’s unable to play at full strength, a healthy Josh Allen and company could be on their way to an upset. They’ll still have to take on an opportunistic defense led by the Honey Badger, Tyrann Matheiu, but the Bills have a better shot at carving out a victory against the Chiefs defense than they would at trying to stop a fully healthy Patrick Mahomes.
Projected Score: 34-24 Bills Win.
Dylan’s Notes: Game 2 on championship Sunday is geared up to be a good one as well. On paper that is. If Buffalo sleep walks through the game like they did a week ago; I promise you KC will not leave points on the field the way Baltimore did. I do think if Buffalo’s defense is able to continue to create pressure and make Pat uncomfortable much like the Browns did that could pose a huge issue for KC. The Chiefs lack of a run game is showing more and more each week. The need for Clyde Edwards Helaire to be effective today is beyond important to the success of this Chiefs offense. As for the other side much like we have seen all year as Josh goes the Bills go. I thought he played a solid game a week ago but did have some opportunities that he will need to capitalize on here today. You can’t overthrow receivers by 20 yards, or miss open deep shots; especially with the Honey Badger roaming around out there. This game has the potential to get sloppy, but it has the feel of a Heavyweight bout. I think Josh Allen throws two picks, and despite a late rally will come up a bit short.
