My take on the upcoming playoff matchups this weekend. I will follow up with analysis from each game Monday morning.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS VS MINNESOTA VIKINGS– This matchup on paper would seem very one sided to most, as I’m sure 85-90 percent of you expected Drew Brees and New Orleans to be traveling to take on the 49ers. I’m here to tell you to not take the Vikings lightly in this one. Kirk Cousins finally got his elusive playoff win by being accurate and making smart decisions against the Saints and if he wants to continue his vindication tour successfully he will need more of the same against a strong 49ers defense led by rookie Nick Bosa and Vet Richard Sherman. Vikings RB Dalvin Cook will need to establish himself early in order to hopefully open up the passing game for Cousins if they are to have any shot at the upset. As for the 49ers, it marks the 1st career playoff start for QB Jimmy Garropalo. He will need to utilize his ability to move out of the pocket and get it to his main weapons TE George Kittle and WR Emmanuel Sanders with a hungry Minnesota defense bearing down on him that made Drew Brees look less than average in their wildcard matchup. I think the 49ers defense proves to be too much for Minnesota and Cousins falls back down to reality but don’t be surprised if I’m wrong. It is the NFL and I can be wrong more than I would like to admit. 49ers 24 Vikings 13
Seattle Seahawks vs Green Bay Packers- These 2 teams are no strangers to each other especially quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. If you remember a few years back in Seattle, they met in the NFC Championship with Russell Wilson leading an epic comeback along with a terribly played onside kick by Green Bay to advance to the Super Bowl. This time around we have the same quarterbacks but 2 completely different teams. Seattle comes limping into Green Bay with many injuries including RB Chris Carson who led the Seahawks in rushing this season. They resigned Marshawn Lynch a couple weeks back and for Seattle they are going to need vintage Beast Mode in what is sure to be a tough weather game for them. Even though they got the win, Seattle looked dreadful against an even more injured Eagles team and honestly if Wentz never went down, I’m probably previewing a different game. Never count out Russell Wilson though, if anyone can overcome the odds, it’s him. As for Green Bay, we all know the talent of Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, and RB Aaron Jones. However in this one I’m looking at their defense. LB Blake Martinez had yet another stellar season for them and he needs to be the leader and field general for them this weekend in order to advance. Also, on the offensive side I’m looking at WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling to have a big day for the Packers. This has the potential to be the best game of the weekend. Packers 24 Seahawks 21
To The Rack With Mac 