NFL Notebook, Divisional Round: Predictions, Titans magic, LSU and more

By Zach Cohen | Jan 14, 2020

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after rushing for a 1-yard touchdown during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks away from Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers on his way to a touchdown at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

NFC Championship Predictions

Last Week: 2-0
Overall: 3-1

Packers over 49ers

I think it all comes down to one thing: Quarterback. I know it’s ironic that I just said all big games aren’t just about quarterbacks, but I don’t know if Jimmy Garoppolo is good enough to outwit a sneakily good Packers defense. Because I think it will come down to the littlest things. It’s so hard to pick a glaring flaw with each team, so I’m looking at the quarterbacks.

Rodgers had the best touchdown-interception ratio in the NFL, while Garoppolo had the seventh-worst. Obviously, there’s uncontrollable factors that can lead to an interception (like tipped or dropped passes), but a nine-interception difference is pretty notable.

Interestingly enough, Garoppolo’s QBR is nearly seven points better than Rodgers’ QBR. I’m not saying that Garoppolo is the backbone of the San Francisco offense (it’s their run game), but I’m saying that Garoppolo will likely have to play an almost perfect game if the 49ers are to advance.

Super Bowl teams have super quarterbacks, and while Garoppolo certainly hasn’t been bad this season, I wouldn’t say he’s been super, either. The team that wins will have the quarterback who performs better, and that will likely be Garoppolo. As an interesting side narrative, remember that the first-ever Super Bowl featured the Chiefs and Packers back in 1967.

That’s right, I’m predicting a Chiefs-Packers Super Bowl, a.k.a. the State Farm Bowl.

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