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NFL Notebook, Wild Card: Tom Brady and Patriots, Tua Tagovailoa, awards and more

By Zach Cohen

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans is congratulated by Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after their 20-13 win in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans is congratulated by Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after their 20-13 win in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 05: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a third quarter rushing touchdown by Dalvin Cook #33 (obscured) against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 05: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a third quarter rushing touchdown by Dalvin Cook #33 (obscured) against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

NFC Divisional Round Predictions

Last week: 1-1
Prediction: 49ers over Vikings

Who else saw that coming? According to Bleacher Report, only five percent of people who filled out playoff brackets did. Unfortunately for the Vikings, history does not favor another huge upset. In fact, history is salivating over a San Fransisco Super Bowl run.

From 2013-17, every team that reached the Super Bowl was a No. 1 seed except for the 2016 Cowboys. Instead, the No. 2 seeded Falcons reached the championship.

Sorry Vikings’ fans, I’m siding with history on this one. Not to mention that the 49ers’ defensive line is loaded. Surprisingly enough, San Fransisco has surrendered the 15th-most rushing yards per game, which is worse than I imagined. Still, the 49ers have been too dominant to ignore, even if the Vikings’ win in New Orleans was extremely impressive.

Prediction: Packers over Seahawks

The Seahawks are banged up. The Packers are fresh off a week of rest. It should be simple, right? This stat can make it simpler: The last time the Seahawks won in Green Bay was 1999. Seattle has been 0-6 at Lambeau Field since then. However, if we’ve learned anything about football, especially postseason football, nothing is ever simple.

You shouldn’t count out Pete Carroll, a seasoned coach with ten years of playoff experience. You shouldn’t count out Russell Wilson, an MVP-caliber player capable of orchestrating magical comebacks. Unfortunately for Seattle, the 13-3 Packers lost once at home, though it was by seven to Philadelphia. Aside from home-field advantage, I think the Packers are the more complete team and the favorite to win.

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