As always, the Divisional round did not disappoint. The only blow out was the Ravens over the Texans and that game was tied 10-10 at the half. The other 3 games came down to the wire and were very competitive. It was fun to watch and now we are down to the 4 final teams. Also, I went 4 for 4 with my predictions, which was nice. Here are my reactions from the Divisional round and my rankings of best chance to win the Super Bowl.

1. The Ravens have the best all around team:

I don’t know how you can determine anything else at this point. The can run the ball, they can throw the ball. Their defense is smothering. Lamar is still not an elite passer despite what the media wants you to believe but he is much better and he is so mobile that he is extremely dangerous. The receivers are much improved and again, that defense is just top notch. I think they are beatable but they have taken it to all the top teams of late. 

2. Brock Purdy is good not great.

I like Brock so I am no hater here. He is a great story and has done a nice job for them. He is just limited. He is a younger, healthier Jimmy G. He is not great from playing from behind and missed a lot of throws throughout the game. The 49ers have a good D and amazing skill guys but even when one of them is down it makes Purdy struggle. Also, McCaffrey should be the MVP. That dude is amazing.

3. Bucs, Packers and Texans should be proud. 

My wife said yesterday, “I don’t think anyone predicted the Bucs and the Lions playing each other this late in the season.” I sure didn’t. The Bucs made it farther with Baker than they did with Tom Brady last year with a lot of the same team otherwise. Baker had a good game overall but costly turnovers kept them from having a shot to win. The Texans ran into a buzz saw in the second half against the Ravens. But after winning 4 games last year, they have nothing to be ashamed of. They need some more pieces but I like the Texans to be in the picture for a while. And the Packers really should have won Saturday night. They had so many missed opportunities. But as I told my son, Walker, they overachieved all year. They are so young but have a lot of the right pieces. And Matt LeFluer can coach. They had it there for the taking. They just need to grow up a little so they can take it.

4. The Ball rolling through the end zone as a touchback is a dumb rule. 

I’m not just saying that because it hurt my team. There have been other moments where it has helped my team. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. If a player fumbles the ball and it goes out of bounds they bring it back to where the player fumbled at. It seems logical to me that the same thing should happen here. I guess maybe more people would reach for the goal line or pylon with no fear of turning the ball over. That would be the negative but honestly no one is out there intentionally trying to fumble. The league will likely review it in the offseason as there are many that think the way I do. The rule just doesn’t make a lot of sense. Either way, after fumbling twice in the red zone, Hardman should no longer be a part of the goal line package. 

5. The Chiefs are built different.

My son likes this saying a lot “built different” and since he says it so much the whole family has adapted it into our vocabulary. This Chiefs team offensively has been bad most of the year. Teams don’t just start playing well in the playoffs. It is not how football works. By this time of year, you are who you are. Unless you are the Chiefs. The whole offense looks drastically better than it has all year. Pat looks great. The receivers are catching the ball. Even MVS had two monster catches. He bobbled them both but he still caught them. They have put up 27 points in back to back weeks and have moved the ball up and down the field. The penalties and drops are way down. And with the defense playing the way it is, you don’t have to score more than 27. But this turn around when it matters most is uncommon and should be appreciated. If the Chiefs somehow find a way to win it all, I think it means that us Chiefs fans can never question them again. 

Mostly likely to win the Super Bowl Rankings:

All of these teams are obviously great and any of them could win it but these are my rankings of who I think has the best chance to win it right now.

4. 49ers

They have an incredible team and they very well could win it all. But I have two major concerns. First, Purdy is limited and the worst QB left. Secondly, Kyle Shanahan does not have a good track record in the big game. I think he is more likely to make the wrong calls when it matters most than the others.

3. Lions

The 49ers probably have the better all around team but the Lions have great skill guys too. And they also have a great offensive line. Their defense does give up points though and that is why they are ranked where they are. But I trust Goff more than I do Purdy at this point. Plus, I mean come on, the Lions are due. 

2. Chiefs

I think an AFC team is winning the Super Bowl. I just don’t know which one. The Chiefs are finally playing well offensively. Pat has looked great the last two weeks. Kelce is getting open again. Rice has developed nicely and is a real weapon. But Pacheco is really the key. He may not break any 90 yard runs but he turns a lot of 2 yard runs into 8 yard runs. The defense has been phenomenal all year and the halftime adjustments have been outstanding. We haven’t given up more than 7 points in the second half in ages and haven’t given up 30 points all year. If it is close at the half, I like the Chiefs to beat whoever.

1.Ravens

The only defense I would take over the Chiefs is the Ravens. Their ability to run the ball is top notch and a big concern for the Chiefs this week. And then you add on Lamar’s mobility to go along with his improved throwing. They are a very dangerous team. They have been putting the smack down on top teams the last several weeks. I don’t know if they are going to win but if you had to put money on a team to win two more games the next 2 weeks, the safe money is on the Ravens. 

Tune in later this week for my predictions for the Conference Championships.