Four Down Territory: Throw it Over them Mountains

First Down As the NFL playoffs are fastly approaching we have a pretty good sense of the top dog in each conference. Kansas City, no surprise to anyone, is on top of the AFC and after beating the Lions on Sunday and the Saints losing to Philadelphia the Packers are kings of the NFC. The one seeds look unstoppable but what teams, if any, have the best shot of taking them out come playoff time? Well, let's see. Starting off in the AFC. Here's the playoff picture: https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1338708111595548672 So, who has the best shot of knocking of Kansas City? First we have to figure out the formula to beating them. The best way to beat the Chiefs is not the play them but since that's not possible we have to look the teams that gave them fits and how they did it. The strength of Kansas City is obviously Patrick Mahomes. He's the reigning Super Bowl MVP and will probably win league MVP this year. He can do everything you want your QB to do at the highest of levels. Andy Reid has surronded him with a plethora of weapons and they can beat you multiple ways. For the best chance to win let's look back to their game against Las Vegas week five. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXFCtCFi7jc&feature=onebox If you're going to beat the Chiefs the main thing is keeping Mahomes off the field. That offense can score in a blink but the less time they're on the field the better your chances. Vegas held the ball ten extra minutes during that contest and it was just enough. The next biggest factor in beating the Chiefs is the ability to score 25+ points. Kansas City is second in the league in points scored per game (31.0) and total points (403). The last thing is to hit Mahomes as much as possible with your front four. Every quarterback's greatest weakness is catching a case of happy feet from being hit too often but blitzing to get pressure on Mahomes through your secondary will not end well. You have to rush the passer without sending help. With those factors in mind let's rank the top three teams that can take out the Chiefs. Honorable Mention: Miami Dolphins The Dolphins and Chiefs squared off week 14 and the Chiefs won after coming from behind in the first half. Mahomes threw three interceptions but it didn't matter overall. Miami's defense is legit and if they got a second crack at the champs the tide may turn in a different direction. Three: Tennessee Titans The Titans rank second in rushing yards per game. They run the ball as well as anyone and that's the only shot they have at beating the Chiefs. Derrick Henry is a force and tackling him over and over will take its toll. As great as they are at running the ball they're worse at rushing the quarterback. The Titans are dead last in sacks and sack percentage. It's only a matter of time before Tyreek Hill is running wide open down the field and the inability to rush the passer will equal a long day if the Titans make it to Kansas City. They'll need to play the longest game of keep-away in the history of football to win. Two: Baltimore Ravens The first thing the Ravens need to do is clinch a playoff spot before worrying about the Chiefs. The offense has taken a step back from its elite status last year but it's still good enough to keep Mahomes off the field. I mean...they still lead the league in rushing and Lamar Jackson is still a top ten QB. Baltimore is a middle-of-the-pack team on the sack and sack percentage front but their bread and butter are forcing fumbles; they rank second in the league in that category. One: Pittsburgh Steelers Yes, the Steelers are on a two game slide. Yes, it's fair to question their schedule outside of the Titans and Ravens. Yes, all of your questions are fair. With that being said, the Steelers still have the best shot at beating the Chiefs. They rank first in the league in turnover differential, they're tied for first with the most turnovers, they give up the fewest points per game, they lead the league in sacks, and rank second in sack percentage. They can get to the QB with their front four and can give the offense the ball with a short field. The Steelers' problems will come rushing the ball. Currently, they're second-to-last in the league in rushing yards per game. There are ways around that (short passes that are the same as runs) and that's proven by their time-of-possession numbers, which is fifth in the league. Listen, any given Sunday is really a thing but whoever gets the honor of playing Kansas City has to defend this. https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1338233683895939072 https://twitter.com/JordanTribe_/status/1338947005998116865 Good luck. Second Down Now, let's do the NFC. https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1338283499283943424 Green Bay has scored more points than anyone this year. Aaron Rodgers is making a reallllyyy strong case for MVP and the Packers front office probably regrets drafting Jordan Love last year. So, how do you beat the Packers? Putting him in the dirt. The Bucs sacked Rodgers five times during their week six meeting and last season the 49ers got pressure on Rodgers consistently with their front four. Playing the time of possession game can also work since the Packers' run defense isn't that good but rattling Rodgers is more important. Who has the best shot at knocking them off, though? Honorable Mention: Seattle Seahawks Anything is possible with Russell Wilson and this would be an old fashion shootout. Take the over bets and it may very well come down to who has the final possession. Three: Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Bucs strongest game of the year came against the Packers; who's to say it can't happen again? Tampa Bay is excellent at rushing the passer and rank sixth in the league in creating turnovers. Extra possessions for your team and subtracting possessions from Rodgers is a solid formula to beating him. Two: The Washington Football Team This is a wild, stupid pick and it just feels right. This team walked into Pittsburgh and snapped their undefeated record. They have a front four that's not quite at San Francisco's level at rushing the passer but they're getting damn close. They run an offense that eats up a lot of clock with Alex Smith at the helm and has a head coach that's been to the Super Bowl. This team can make a game ugly and can Green Bay win an ugly game? Absolutely but Washington is better at winning ugly. Yeah, this is perfect. This team can beat the Green Bay Packers. One: New Orleans Saints This is predicated on one thing and one thing only; the quarterback. If Drew Brees is back then they have a chance but if the Saints really want to unlock their offensive potential then it's time to give Jamies the keys. The Taysom Hill experience was cute against Denver and Atlanta but against ANY competent team, it's clear that he's not the answer. The Saints are top ten in the league in sacks, turnovers, opponents points per game, pass, and rush yards per game. With all that being said... https://twitter.com/BookOfEli_NFL/status/1338911274214825988 https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1338237350896414724 Lol. Good luck. Third Down Anthony Lynn gotta go. https://twitter.com/ArashMarkazi/status/1338253182640685057 Like c'mon man. Really?! https://twitter.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1333186853139312640 Justin Herbert is a monster but it appears his head coach can't get the basics down and that's sad. Lynn cut his teeth on the offensive side of the ball and it shows but you can't go to the GM and owner and explain your way out of those moments. Seriously. https://twitter.com/DAonCBS/status/1333194858312458240 Yeah...it's a wrap. Fourth Down PICK TIME!!! Last week ya boy went 9-6 which brings the season total to 127-66-1 Picks are in red. Thursday Night Football Los Angeles Chargers @ Las Vegas Saturday Games Buffalo @ Denver Carolina @ Green Bay Sunday Games Houston @ Indianapolis Detroit @ Tennessee Chicago @ Minnesota Seattle @ Washington New England @ Miami Jacksonville @ Baltimore Tampa Bay @ Atlanta San Francisco @ Dallas Philadelphia @ Arizona New York Jets @ Los Angeles Rams Kansas City @ New Orleans Sunday Night Football Cleveland @ New York Giants Monday Night Football Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati Extra Points Nickelodeon broadcasting a playoff game? Okay? https://twitter.com/Eric_Emanuele/status/1338880210196967426 Baker was just showing off...he wasn't throwing to anyone lmaoo https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1338876737787211782 BUBBLE GUTS ALERT! https://twitter.com/WillBlackmon/status/1338696013054283777 Don't forget, kids. Lean with it THEN rock with it. https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1338236142467084290 Meme of 2020. https://twitter.com/chadwiechert/status/1338245582029283329 Another week. Another DB snatched by Jerry Jeudy. https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1338200828226711552 A friendly reminder that the NFL is blackballingColin Kaepernick for protesting police brutality and racial injustice. Don’t forget to check out GoingFor2.com for daily fantasy advice and more heat. @ me madads14 As always, thanks for reading.

Four Down Territory: Throw it Over them Mountains

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