Category: Playoffs

USA TODAY Sports Network’s NFL divisional playoff previews, predictions

The USA TODAY Sports Network previews each of this weekend’s matchups: Vikings-49ers, Titans-Ravens, Texans-Chiefs and Seahawks-Packers.

We’re down to eight teams remaining in the NFL postseason, and the top two seeds in each conference bounce into action this weekend. The divisional round of the playoffs has a history of memorable upsets, and this year’s slate offers plenty of intrigue.

The Minnesota Vikings, fresh off a surprising overtime win in New Orleans, face the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday in search of another upset win. Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is listed as questionable, while the 49ers hope to get pass-rusher Dee Ford back on the field.

The Tennessee Titans, having slain the dynastic New England Patriots, travel to Baltimore to face the AFC’s top seed. It’s a matchup of the NFL rushing champion, Derrick Henry, against the league’s top rushing offense in the Ravens.

The Houston Texans already beat the Kansas City Chiefs during the regular season. Now they will try to do it under the postseason spotlight in a duel between two quarterbacks selected two spots apart in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Finally, the Seattle Seahawks visit the Green Bay Packers, an unlikely No. 2 seed if ever there was one, in a game oddsmakers expect to be the closest of the weekend.

Without further ado, here are your NFL playoff game previews for Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12:

Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers

Kirk Cousins Minnesota Vikings
Chuck Cook -USA TODAY Sports

TV: 4:35 p.m. ET Saturday, NBC

Records: Vikings 10-6, 1-0; 49ers 13-3, 0-0

BetMGM line: 49ers by 7

Satellite radio: Vikings feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 819), 49ers feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 827)

Vikings’ keys: Getting RB Dalvin Cook going early opens up play action against an aggressive 49ers defense. A heavy dose of play action with WRs Adam Theilen and Stefon Diggs would help QB Kirk Cousins and the offense get rolling. On the defensive side, S Harrison Smith should see plenty of action against 49ers TE George Kittle, and shutting Kittle down is the quickest way to slow San Francisco’s passing game.

49ers’ keys: QB Jimmy Garoppolo can operate under pressure, but he’s at his best when he has time to let windows open down the field. The arrival of WR Emmanuel Sanders, the emergence of rookie WR Deebo Samuel and the continued excellence of Kittle have allowed the 49ers to shed some of their early-season limitations in the passing game. On defense, the 49ers live and die with their pass rush. Rookie DE Nick Bosa is the driver of a vicious defensive line, while LB Fred Warner helps shut down the middle of the field and CB Richard Sherman is as good as ever in the secondary.

Who wins? These are two evenly matched clubs. The 49ers having home-field advantage, and a more diverse group of playmakers on offense, should allow them to survive. 49ers 24, Vikings 23

— Kyle Madson

Ten@Bal / Hou@KC / Sea@GB

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Wild-card playoffs a reminder of importance of having strong run game

The wild-card playoffs were a stark reminder that Matt Nagy needs to fix the glaring issue that is the Bears’ run game.

After a disappointing 2019 season, the Chicago Bears were forced to watch the first round of the NFL playoffs from home. And there was plenty to learn from the wild-card playoffs — especially for head coach Matt Nagy.

But there was one thing that stood apart from the others. The wild-card playoffs were a stark reminder that Nagy needs to fix the one glaring issue that has plagued him since his arrival in Chicago: The run game.

It’s no secret that having a balanced offensive attack produces results. Just look at the top running teams — Ravens, 49ers, Titans, Seahawks — they all made the postseason.

Here’s what stood out about the wild-card round concerning the running game:

Derrick Henry carried the Titans offense on his back

Perhaps the most obvious example of the power of a strong running game came with the performance of Titans running back Derrick Henry, who single-handedly carried Tennessee’s offense to victory over the Patriots.

Henry carried the ball 34 times for 182 yards and a touchdown, which helped quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who had just 72 passing yards on the night.

An effective run game is a struggling quarterback’s best friend, which was something that Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears offense lacked last season.

Dalvin Cook’s success on the ground opened up the passing game

It’s not a surprise that Vikings running back Dalvin Cook found success on the ground, as he was one of the best backs in the NFL. It’s also no coincidence that quarterback Kirk Cousins had perhaps his best season yet.

Against the Saints, Cook had 28 carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns. It was Minnesota’s balanced attack that kept the Saints defense in check and allowed Cousins to open up the passing game.

Devin Singletary found success on the ground when Bills committed to the run

A consistent run game is important to a balanced offense, something Nagy has learned the hard way this season. It’s also something that doomed the Bills in a 22-19 loss to the Texans.

When Devin Singletary carried the ball, he was effective. He had 13 carries for 58 yards, which included some big runs that kept the chains moving.

The Bills had found success in the run game in the first half, which made it confusing as to why they abandoned it and put all the pressure on quarterback Josh Allen. Ultimately, their young QB couldn’t deliver under the pressure.

Mobile quarterbacks made the most of their opportunities on the ground

Something that was missing from the Bears offense this season was Mitchell Trubisky’s mobility. Trubisky has proven to be one of the better mobile quarterbacks in terms of making plays with his legs. But that aspect of his game was glaringly absent. The one time it wasn’t? The Bears pounded the Cowboys in a 31-24 victory, where Trubisky rushed 10 times for 63 yards and one touchdown — on top of his three passing touchdowns.

But the wild-card round was another reminder how utilizing a quarterback’s mobility can provide an extra spark to the run game. Look no further than the Bills-Texans game, where both Josh Allen and Deshaun Watson made plays with their legs. Allen had nine carries for 92 yards while Watson had 14 carries for 55 yards and a score.

Seattle’s Russell Wilson used his legs to make some plays, notching 45 yards on nine carries, while New Orleans’ Taysom Hill had four carries for 50 yards.

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How were 8 other wide receivers somehow drafted before DK Metcalf?

DK Metcalf has lit itup as a rookie in Seattle. How did the former Ole Miss star last until the ninth WR chosen in 2019?

There were eight wide receivers selected before the Seattle Seahawks took DK Metcalf from Ole Miss with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. How did those wideouts chosen before Metcalf fare as the muscular one moves on in the playoffs?

25. Ravens: Marquise Brown

AP Photo/Gail Burton

The Ravens grabbed speedy Marquise “Hollywood” Brown from Oklahoma. He had Lisfranc surgery before the Sooners’ Pro Day and was not able to show his stuff. Once he got healthy, he proved to be a solid target for Lamar Jackson, catching 46 passes for 584 yards and seven TDs.

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Touchdown Wire ranks the 20 worst playoff teams in NFL history

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar ranks the most mediocre postseason participants ever, including the 2013 Packers, 1994 Bears and 1989 Steelers.

They say it’s not how you start, but how you finish.

That certainly can be true in the NFL. The 2007 Giants started 0-2, ended the regular season 10-6, withstood playoff tests by the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Packers, and somehow took down the undefeated Patriots — allegedly the best single-season team in NFL history — in Super Bowl XLII. Four years later, they had a similar curve — a 9-7 regular season, a wild-card berth that forced them to run through three playoff opponents on the way to the Super Bowl, another overtime win in the NFC Championship Game, and in the end, another win over the Patriots.

Neither of those Giants teams would be considered one of the greatest in NFL history, but they got the job done when it mattered. So did the 1980 Oakland Raiders, 1997 Denver Broncos, 2000 Baltimore Ravens, 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2010 Green Bay Packers and 2017 Philadelphia Eagles — all wild-card teams who went on to win the Super Bowl. None of those teams rank among the worst NFL playoff teams of all time, because they won their ultimate game, no matter how shabby the regular-season results may have looked at times.

But the NFL playoff formats have allowed for some ragged postseason contestants through the years. Here are the worst of the lot since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, considering regular-season performance, point differential, strength of schedule and postseason results.

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If the Bears had done their job, they’d be playing for a Wild Card spot Sunday

Everything that needed to happen for the Bears to play for a Wild Card spot, it happened. Except Chicago couldn’t win their last two games.

Three weeks ago, the Chicago Bears were staring down impossible odds for a Wild Card playoff berth. Not only did they need to win out in their final three games, but they needed a ton of help in the form of the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams losing two of their final three games.

And you know what, everything that needed to happen, it happened.

The Rams were embarrassed by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15 before dropping a loss to the No. 1-seeded San Francisco 49ers, which officially dashed their playoff hopes.

The Vikings lost to the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, which would’ve set up a play-in for that final Wild Card spot with the Bears next Sunday.

Everything that needed to happen, it happened.

Except one thing: The Bears didn’t win their last two games against the Packers and Kansas City Chiefs.

For as much as the Bears weren’t in control of their own destiny for their slim playoff hopes, they couldn’t do what was needed of them to even have a chance.

But that’s nothing new. It seems to be a microcosm of a disappointing 2019 season.

So instead of the Bears heading into Minnesota with everything to play for, they’ll be closing out their season with nothing left to play for but pride as they head into early hibernation for the eighth time this decade.

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The Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention

With a loss to the Packers and a Vikings win, the Bears have officially been eliminated from playoff contention.

What was seen as inevitable just hours prior became official late Sunday afternoon when the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 39-10, officially eliminating the Chicago Bears from playoff contention.

After losing to the Green Bay Packers 21-13 earlier in the day, the Bears needed losses from both the Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams to have any chance at the postseason entering Week 16. With the Vikings’ big win on the road, the Bears will be playing for pride next week when the face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.

Depending on what happens next week, however, the Bears could still play spoiler when they face the Vikings in the regular season finale. Minnesota has yet to clinch a playoff spot.

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NFC Playoff Picture: Who to root for in Week 15 as Bears seek Wild Card spot

As the Bears look to keep their playoff hopes alive, they need to beat the Packers, but they need some help from the Cowboys and Chargers.

No matter how you look at it, the Chicago Bears’ playoff hopes are slim. But they’re not out of it yet, not with a current 2% chance at making the playoffs. The Bears are still very much “in the hunt” for a Wild Card playoff berth.

While the Bears could still win the NFC North (while a long shot, a real possibility), their best bet of getting into the playoffs remains as a Wild Card team.

Sitting at 7-6, the Bears are currently one game out of that final Wild Card spot, where they’re battling the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams for that sixth seed.

The Bears need to take care of business in their final three games — including today’s game against the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings — they’re going to need a lot of help from the teams playing the Vikings and Rams in the final three games.

Let’s take a look at the two games that Bears fans should keep an eye on (should the Bears beat the Packers) in the NFC playoff race in Week 15:

Vikings (9-4) vs. Chargers (5-8)

3:05 p.m. CT, CBS

When looking at the final three games on Minnesota’s schedule, this is the game that they could win and the Bears could still feel really good looking ahead. With Green Bay and Chicago left on the schedule, the Vikings would need to lose out for the Bears to have a chance at a Wild Card berth.

The Chargers are a lot better than their 5-8 record would indicate, and they’ve beaten both the Bears and Packers this season. So as the Vikings travel to Los Angeles, there’s definitely a chance that the Chargers could pull out the win.

Rams (8-5) vs. Cowboys (6-7)

4:25 p.m. CT, FOX

Unlike the Vikings-Chargers game, this is a game that the Rams absolutely have to lose if the Bears are going to have a shot at the playoffs. Like the Vikings, the Rams need to lose two of their last three games. Los Angeles will play the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals in the final three weeks. Stranger things have happened, but the Rams are not going to lose to the Cardinals. So they need to lose their next two just for the Bears to have a shot.

While the Cowboys, coming off a loss to the Bears, appear to be in free-fall, they’re still very much alive in the race for the NFC East. In fact, it’s that desperation mode that should have Bears fans feeling good about the Cowboys’ chances of beating the Rams in Dallas.

Believe it or not, there’s a scenario where the Bears could win the NFC North

While the Bears are clinging to slim playoff hopes, they’re still in the hunt for a playoff spot — and maybe even a division title.

The Chicago Bears are playing meaningful football in December for the second straight year. And while the Bears are clinging to slim playoff hopes heading into these final three games, they’re still in the hunt for that final Wild Card spot.

While the Bears need to win out in their last three games, they also need a lot of help in terms of the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams both losing two of their last three games.

The Vikings have the Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers and Bears left on their schedule. The Rams have the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals remaining. So it’s definitely possible, but certainly not a guarantee by any means.

But believe it or not, there’s actually a scenario where the Bears could still win the NFC North.

I kid you not.

Here’s what would need to happen for the Bears to win the NFC North:

  • The Bears win out against the Packers, Chiefs and Vikings
  • The Packers lose out to the Bears, Vikings and Lions
  • The Vikings lose to the Bears in Week 17

That would then set up a three-way tie for first place in the NFC North at 10-6, and the Bears would win the tiebreaker with the best division record at 5-1.

Now, of all the scenarios that could happen, this feels like the least likely. Sure, the Bears could win out (especially with the way they’ve been playing). Sure, the Vikings could lose to the Bears. Sure, the Packers could lose to the Bears and Vikings. But the Packers losing to the David Blough-led Lions in Week 17 just doesn’t seem in the realm of possibility.

The likelihood that the Bears make the playoffs isn’t good. FiveThirtyEight gives the Bears a 2% chance to make the playoffs as of Saturday. Stranger things have happened, but we shall see.

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Bears receive no help on Sunday when it comes to playoff push

As the Bears look to make a push for a Wild Card spot, they didn’t get any help on Sunday as the Vikings and Rams both won.

The Chicago Bears kept their slim playoff hopes alive on Thursday when they defeated the Dallas Cowboys 31-24 and improved to 7-6 on the season. Their playoff odds stood at 5% following the win, but that percentage won’t improve following Sunday’s game results, however.

Trailing the sixth seeded Minnesota Vikings by two games and the Los Angeles Rams, the first team out, by one heading into Sunday’s games, the Bears needed a loss by either team to gain ground in the race for the final wildcard spot. Unfortunately, both teams beat their respective opponents to keep the Bears at bay and lowering their chances of making the postseason to 3%, according to fivethirtyeight.com.

The Vikings took care of business at home against the Detroit Lions, winning 20-7 to improve to 9-4, while the Rams are suddenly surging, winning their second-straight divisional game as they grounded the Seattle Seahawks 28-12 and remain a game ahead of the Bears statistically at 8-5, although Los Angeles holds the tiebreaker after defeating the Bears last month.

To make matters worse, the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers were also victorious, beating the Washington Redskins 30-15. The win keeps them atop the division and all but eliminates the Bears from repeating as division champions.

The Bears are still “in the hunt” with three games to go, but the window is closing. Assuming they win their final games against the Packers, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Vikings to finish 10-6 (a feat unlikely in itself), the Bears will need the Rams and Vikings to lose two out of their final three games to secure the final wildcard spot. Below are the remaining schedules for each team.

Los Angeles Rams Remaining Schedule:

  • @ Dallas Cowboys (Week 15)
  • @ San Francisco 49ers (Week 16)
  • Vs. Arizona Cardinals (Week 17)

Minnesota Vikings Remaining Schedule:

  • @ Los Angeles Chargers (Week 15)
  • Vs. Green Bay Packers (Week 16)
  • Vs. Chicago Bears (Week 17)

At this point, the Bears can only control what they can control by winning their final three games and putting themselves in the best position possible to make the playoffs. There’s still hope the pieces can fall into place, but this weekend’s results severely put a damper on the excitement following their win on Thursday.

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