Post by NFL on Dec 9, 2020 16:55:45 GMT -5
AFC Matchups
#1 Jacksonville Jaguars vs #6 Baltimore Ravens
All Time: 0-0 (First Matchup)
Regular Season Scoring: Jacksonville (6th), Baltimore (8th)
This is a fun one. While they have never matched up before,
the Jaguars & Ravens pace everybody else in wins over the league's first three seasons. They both rank top three in points scored as well. For as much regular season success as they've both had, the combined playoff record of the two teams is an underwhelming 2-4. Regardless of this week's outcome, that record will be 3-5 but will Jacksonville get their first playoff win? Or will Baltimore push their playoff record over .500 to 3-2? Either way, both of these teams shouldn't be satisfied with an AFC Championship appearance. They match up well this week but they've each done too much over the past three seasons to come up short on playing in the Super Bowl once again.
#2 New England Patriots vs #5 Tennessee Titans
All Time: New England 2-0 vs Tennessee (1-0 in 2020, Week 8)
Regular Season Scoring: Tennessee (1st), New England (2nd)
BAL/JAX was fun for historical reasons, this one is fun for actual competitive reasons. As noted, these were the top two scoring teams and there's no doubt that this matchup should be a shootout. New England is looking to head back to the Super Bowl for the third time in three seasons, and they are the only playoff team remaining with a Super Bowl appearance. Tennessee, on the other hand, is looking to go from worst to first in a single season. After a winless season, the Titans put together a historically great 2020 to put them in fantastic position to reach and even win a Super Bowl. Tennessee erupted for a FranchiseNFL record 242.4 points in the wild card round and will look for another big week to hold off the Patriots.
NFC Matchups
#1 New Orleans Saints vs #6 Dallas Cowboys
All Time: New Orleans 2-0 vs Dallas (1-0 in 2020, Week 8)
Regular Season Scoring: New Orleans (3rd), Dallas (17th)
While the NFC matchups don't project to be as close as the AFC matchups, Dallas blew up in the wildcard round for 200+ points to upset the Rams. The Cowboys played New Orleans close earlier in the season, too, so there's no reason to pencil in the Saints as the victor just yet. History says otherwise though, as New Orleans has appeared in back to back NFC Championships and won both of their divisional matchups pretty handily in 2018 & 2019 coming off byes. The 2020 version of the Saints is as good as the team has ever been and they proved it in the regular season with just a pair of losses. After narrowly missing in 2018, Dallas bounced back from a down 2019 season to make the playoffs in 2020. They're looking to continue their upset streak after bouncing Los Angeles in the first round.
#2 Washington Football Team vs #5 Philadelphia Eagles
All Time: Philadelphia 4-2 vs Washington (WFT 2-0 in 2020)
Regular Season Scoring: Washington (7th), Philadelphia (12th)
This matchup appears to have the biggest gap of the four this week. Washington is hot and Philly is not. Washington needed 230 points to knock off Tampa Bay last week while Philly managed just 145 for their win over Chicago. The Eagles are one of just five teams to make the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. That being said, they've failed to reach the NFC Championship in both seasons prior and they face another high powered opponent as they did last season (Vikings). Washington is looking to jump from a one win team to a Super Bowl champion. Like Tennessee, they finished at the bottom of the standings in 2018 & 2019, and are now looking to make a championship run. Their most recent matchup indicates that this could be close but if Washington plays like they did in the wild card round, then this should be no contest.
#1 Jacksonville Jaguars vs #6 Baltimore Ravens
All Time: 0-0 (First Matchup)
Regular Season Scoring: Jacksonville (6th), Baltimore (8th)
This is a fun one. While they have never matched up before,
the Jaguars & Ravens pace everybody else in wins over the league's first three seasons. They both rank top three in points scored as well. For as much regular season success as they've both had, the combined playoff record of the two teams is an underwhelming 2-4. Regardless of this week's outcome, that record will be 3-5 but will Jacksonville get their first playoff win? Or will Baltimore push their playoff record over .500 to 3-2? Either way, both of these teams shouldn't be satisfied with an AFC Championship appearance. They match up well this week but they've each done too much over the past three seasons to come up short on playing in the Super Bowl once again.
#2 New England Patriots vs #5 Tennessee Titans
All Time: New England 2-0 vs Tennessee (1-0 in 2020, Week 8)
Regular Season Scoring: Tennessee (1st), New England (2nd)
BAL/JAX was fun for historical reasons, this one is fun for actual competitive reasons. As noted, these were the top two scoring teams and there's no doubt that this matchup should be a shootout. New England is looking to head back to the Super Bowl for the third time in three seasons, and they are the only playoff team remaining with a Super Bowl appearance. Tennessee, on the other hand, is looking to go from worst to first in a single season. After a winless season, the Titans put together a historically great 2020 to put them in fantastic position to reach and even win a Super Bowl. Tennessee erupted for a FranchiseNFL record 242.4 points in the wild card round and will look for another big week to hold off the Patriots.
NFC Matchups
#1 New Orleans Saints vs #6 Dallas Cowboys
All Time: New Orleans 2-0 vs Dallas (1-0 in 2020, Week 8)
Regular Season Scoring: New Orleans (3rd), Dallas (17th)
While the NFC matchups don't project to be as close as the AFC matchups, Dallas blew up in the wildcard round for 200+ points to upset the Rams. The Cowboys played New Orleans close earlier in the season, too, so there's no reason to pencil in the Saints as the victor just yet. History says otherwise though, as New Orleans has appeared in back to back NFC Championships and won both of their divisional matchups pretty handily in 2018 & 2019 coming off byes. The 2020 version of the Saints is as good as the team has ever been and they proved it in the regular season with just a pair of losses. After narrowly missing in 2018, Dallas bounced back from a down 2019 season to make the playoffs in 2020. They're looking to continue their upset streak after bouncing Los Angeles in the first round.
#2 Washington Football Team vs #5 Philadelphia Eagles
All Time: Philadelphia 4-2 vs Washington (WFT 2-0 in 2020)
Regular Season Scoring: Washington (7th), Philadelphia (12th)
This matchup appears to have the biggest gap of the four this week. Washington is hot and Philly is not. Washington needed 230 points to knock off Tampa Bay last week while Philly managed just 145 for their win over Chicago. The Eagles are one of just five teams to make the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. That being said, they've failed to reach the NFC Championship in both seasons prior and they face another high powered opponent as they did last season (Vikings). Washington is looking to jump from a one win team to a Super Bowl champion. Like Tennessee, they finished at the bottom of the standings in 2018 & 2019, and are now looking to make a championship run. Their most recent matchup indicates that this could be close but if Washington plays like they did in the wild card round, then this should be no contest.