(OPINION) Predicting the Conference Championships of the 2020-2021 Playoffs

The final four teams remaining in the NFL playoffs include the Packers, Buccaneers, Bills, and Chiefs. (Photo Credit: The New York Times)

(COVINGTON, La.) — Last week’s divisional round predictions looked to be perfect until Jared Cook of the New Orleans Saints fumbled, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tied the game and never looked back. Only a pair of games will be played this weekend as two of the four teams remaining will punch their ticket to Super Bowl LV.

Packers v. Buccaneers: After an impressive performance by Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones, and Devin White, the Buccaneers look ahead to their conference championship matchup against the NFL’s top scoring offense in the Green Bay Packers. The Packers come off of a dominant win against the Los Angeles Rams in which they consistently led and never gave the Rams hope. The Packers should win this game simply by getting Davante Adams involved early and keeping their defense off of the field. The run game will be limited due to the forceful front seven of the Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers capitalized off of four turnovers by the Saints last week and decisively won the game. However, this Sunday they are entering an atmosphere with snowfall and freezing temperatures in the forecast. An ability to run the ball and keep Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the sideline will be crucial for Tampa Bay to have a chance.

The Packers path to victory is too simple to predict against; the Packers win 38-34.

Chiefs v. Bills: The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills have elusive quarterbacks with the strongest arms in the league in Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. However, they both play little defense and depend on high scoring performances and timely defense to win games. Mahomes is unhealthy this weekend with turf toe, so their running game will have to step up. Their defense will have to keep Allen in the pocket and to not give him time to throw. When Allen was able to improvise and get out of the pocket against the Indianapolis Colts, he completed seven of nine passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.

The Bills’ defense will have their hands full, but Mahomes’ condition may keep him limited. If they can play decent pass coverage and bottle up the Chiefs’ run game, the Bills will win. Buffalo needs to keep doing what they have been doing on offense.

The Bills win this game 45-42 as Allen has another monstrous game.

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