The Shenoa Report
January 24, 2021
Conference Championship
We’ve reached the Conference Championship! Woot! What else is happening? I’m glad you asked.
In NFL non playoff news Colts QB Phillip Rivers announced his retirement on Wednesday. Steelers TE Vance McDonald has also announced his retirement as of Friday. In other Steelers news they have picked up QB Dwayne Haskins. Good luck. The Ravens released RB Mark Ingram and QB Robert Griffin III. The Eagles are hiring Nick Sirianni as their new head coach and the Lions are hiring Dan Campbell for their new head coach.
In NFL feel good news Bills fans known as the Bills Mafia have donated over $450K to Lamar Jackson's favorite charity, Blessings in a Backpack, after he went out of the game with a concussion.
In playoff news, Patrick Mahomes is out of concussion protocol and cleared to play Sunday. Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown will not make the trip to Green Bay because of a knee injury.
Super Bowl Fun Facts: Sarah Thomas will become the first female Super Bowl official. Capacity for the game will be roughly 30%, about 22,000 seats. 7,500 tickets will be given to vaccinated health care workers.
Last week I went 3-1 on picks. Here’s the recap of the Divisional Round.
Rams @ Packers 18-32
The 8,456 fans in the stands for the first time this season, made all the difference in the home field advantage. They also made Aaron Rodgers a little emotional, and he gave his fans a real show. With 3 touchdowns on the day, 2 passing and 1 rushing, he made history once again. Rodgers’ 1-yard touchdown run was the first by a Packers quarterback in a playoff game at Lambeau Field since Bart Starr’s game winning rushing TD in the Ice Bowl against Dallas in December of 1967. The Packers were unstoppable against the league's number one defense, protecting Rodgers, not allowing any sacks. Aaron Donald’s rib injury was evident and the rest of the Rams defense was very disappointed in themselves for not playing better, ultimately ending their season. The Packers scored on each of their first five possessions and never trailed in this win. The Packers will host the Buccaneers in the Conference Championship.
Ravens @ Bills 3-17
And Bills fans were worried and didn’t want to face the Ravens… The first half of the game was pretty boring. Each team had just a field goal going into halftime, and that’s saying something, the wind in Buffalo was crazy. Both kickers missed 2 field goals each because of the wind during the game. The 3rd quarter, however, was the whole game. Buffalo went ahead on their opening drive with a Josh Allen touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs. Then, the very next drive the Ravens were on the verge of scoring when Taron Johnson picked off Lamar Jackson in the endzone and returned the pick-six 101-yards to basically seal the win. After the score Baltimore got the ball back and two plays later Jackson was forced out of the game, entering concussion protocol. Tyler Huntley, practice squad quarterback, took Lamar’s place but couldn’t put up a score. The Bills are heading to Kansas City for the Conference Championship.
Browns @ Chiefs 17-22
At the beginning of the game I decided that I would just root for the offenses. I like both teams and had Nick Chubb, Austin Hooper, and Patrick Mahomes on my fantasy team and obviously I’ve rooted for them all season. The Browns did not look like the Browns of last week until the second half of the game, and that’s when Patrick Mahomes left the game with a concussion. After Mahomes went out I found myself pulling for the Browns exclusively. It was a really close game, and I was proud of what the Browns accomplished, but their defense couldn’t get it done. It was the Chiefs defense and backup QB Chad Henne that carried KC to victory. Mahomes even tweeted, “#HenneThingIsPossible”. Henne wasn’t perfect, he threw an interception in the fourth quarter, but the Browns couldn’t capitalize on it. The Chiefs got the ball back and were able to run out the clock after a gutzy 4th and 1 conversion at KC’s 48. Commentator Tony Romo was the most animated I’d ever heard. I’m glad he’ll be calling the Super Bowl. The Chiefs will host the Bills next.
Buccaneers @ Saints 30-20
I think I always knew that the Bucs would win this game, but I still have a hard time picking Tom Brady. The Saints have lost so many heart breaking postseason games the last few years. This might be Drew Brees’ last. It wasn’t a good game for Brees, who had 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. It seemed like the Saints we just “off” the entire game. They were never really able to get anything going while the Bucs could do no wrong. The Bucs offense turned three out of the four Saints turnovers into touchdowns. The Saints defense failed to pressure Brady who had two touchdowns, no interceptions, and just one sack. It wasn’t a fun game to watch, in my opinion. Hopefully next week will be different. The Bucs will travel to Green Bay for the Conference Championship.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, January 24th
Buccaneers (11-5) @ Packers (13-3) (3:05pm FOX)
These two teams played each other week 6 of the regular season where the Bucs spanked the Packers 10-38. It was an ugly game and it was in Florida. This game will be different. Aaron Rodgers said, “I think the Week 6 game matters just about as much as when the Saints went to Tampa and beat them 38-3. It obviously didn’t affect them last week at all. We lost by 28 at their place, they lost by 35 at home. They just beat the Saints by 10. This is a funny game. Things change, teams change and evolve, and either get better or worse. Not much staying the same.”
Well, it’s the postseason for one, and Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have never faced off in the postseason. The game will be played in Green Bay, it will be cold, and Tampa Bay players probably won’t be as acclimated to the weather. The Packers remember losing to the Bucs earlier in the season, one of their three losses. I don’t think it’ll happen again. I’m rooting for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and am picking them to go to the Super Bowl. Hopefully, Tom Brady, after this loss, will just go home, and retire.
Bills (13-3) @ Chiefs (14-2) (6:40pm CBS)
Here’s the deal. I grew up in NY. Most of my family and friends are Bills fans. I’ve rooted for the Bills this season, especially after realizing my Giants didn’t have a chance at the postseason, which was pretty much all season, but I digress. I even bought a Buffalo Bills t-shirt and have been wearing it for the Bills games this postseason. The Bills will need a miracle to win this game and the Super Bowl. I’m not sure if I Bill-ieve. I mean I want to, but… Buffalo. They’ve disappointed fans for sooooooo soooooo long. Even when they went to the Super Bowl, four consecutive times, they lost four consecutive times. It’s hard to be a Bills fan. Patrick Mahomes was cleared to play as of Friday. This is very good news for Kansas City fans, and not great news for Bills fans. Regardless of who wins this game I will be happy for them that they are going to the Super Bowl, I’ll also be sad for the team that doesn’t make it. I like both teams, so this is a hard pick. My heart says to pick the Bills, but my head says to pick the Chiefs. I’m going with my head on this pick, but I’ll be wearing my Bills t-shirt during the game.
Thanks for the edit Eric!
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