The Shenoa Report
January 30, 2022
Conference Championship
The divisional round did not disappoint. I went 0-4 on picks, so maybe I shouldn’t have been so boastful last week. All the games were close and three out of the four were decided on the last play of the game. The last one went into overtime, so in actuality that one was decided on the last play as well. In essence all the games were heartbreakers for the losing teams, as there were no blowouts.
As always I’ll recap the divisional round but I must say, It’ll be nice to NOT see Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady moving forward in the playoffs.
There was much rejoicing around the league this week as it was reported that both Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady have retired from the game of football. Honestly it’s about freakin time for both of them, Big Ben more so as he has said he’s going to retire for the last 5 years.
As a Giants fan, I will not miss either of them. Really, only Steelers, Patriots, and Buccaneers fans are devastated. Speaking of the Giants, we have a new GM, Joe Schoen, and head coach, Brian Daboll. Both guys are from the Buffalo Bills so I am cautiously optimistic, though I said the same thing when Joe Judge was hired.
Today we find out who will be going to the Super Bowl but first, the recap of last weekend.
Bengals @ Titans 19-16
This game was pretty incredible. I mean, all the games were, but I really didn’t think that the Bengals had what it took to win. I was wrong. The Titans, fresh off their bye and equipped with Derrick Henry should've won. The Titans defense sacked Joe Burrow 9 times and still lost. It helped that the Bengals picked off Ryan Tannihill three times. It was rookie Evan McPherson who kicked the game winning field goal as time expired. Right before he did he said to Joe Burrow, “Welp, it’s time to go to the AFC championship game”, and that's where they are headed.
49ers @ Packers 13-10
The 49ers are still perfect against the Aaron Rodgers Packers when it comes to the divisional round. Rodgers is the first quarterback in NFL history to lose four playoff starts to a single opponent. The Packers started off strong with an AJ Dillon touchdown run in the first quarter but then they went silent, until a field goal in the fourth quarter. The 49ers didn’t even get onto the board until the 3rd quarter with a Robbie Gould field goal. It was a really good defensive game and it was the 49ers special teams that came out on top. In the fourth quarter with less than 5 minutes in the game, 49ers special teams player Talanoa Hufanga returned a blocked punt for a touchdown to tie the game. And as time expired Robbie Gould proved clutch again, kicking a 45 yard field goal to knock the Packers out of the postseason.
Rams @ Buccaneers 30-27
The Rams dominated the first half of the game. Cooper Kupp was his amazing self and Matt Stafford looked right at home in the playoffs. It looked like the Rams were going to run away with it until Tom Brady was, well, Tom Brady. It was like he finally remembered he had Leonard Fournette on his team and got him heavily involved. Fournette had two touchdowns in the second half of the game as the Bucs mounted their comeback. Their defense also stepped up big time causing stupid Cam Akers to fumble the ball twice. It was awful. It was like so many other times, watching a Brady come back, and thinking there was nothing to be done to stop it. But this time, Brady left too much time on the clock for the Rams and Matt Gay kicked the game winning 30 yard field goal as time expired. Little did we know this would be the last time we would see Brady’s pouty face on the sideline.
Bills @ Chiefs 36-42 OT
I’m still not ready to recap this game. I think there should be someone on the sidelines that their only job is to listen to the broadcast when Tony Romo is calling the game and tell the coaches what Tony is saying, so they can act accordingly. With 13 seconds left in the game had the Bills kicked the ball on the ground, not out of the endzone for a touchback, more time would have run off the clock and Patrick Mahomes wouldn’t have had enough time to drive up the field, get the field goal, and send it into overtime. Also, overtime rules have got to change! In 91% of playoff games that go to overtime, the coin toss winner is also the winner of the game. Both teams should at least get a chance to possess the ball. And another thing, the Bills defense should’ve stepped up and not allowed Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelsey to get so wide open! Ugh! I’m still mad, upset, and angry. And I am not a die hard Bills fan AND I like the Chiefs. The game was a game for the ages, it just sucks that Buffalo couldn’t get the win. What a rollercoaster of emotions. It was the best game of the weekend, high scoring, a shoot out for sure. It just had the wrong ending.
Conference Championship
Sunday, January, 30th
Bengals (10-7) @ Chiefs (12-5) (3pm CBS)
The last time these guys played each other, just a few weeks ago, the Bengals won. I think today will be different. The Bengals are playing on another level, but the Chiefs are also peaking at the perfect time. Man, I think this game is going to be a shootout but ultimately I’m picking the Chiefs. We’ll see. As you know I went 0-4 on my picks last week so I really don’t have high hopes this week. I just want it to be a good game.
49ers (10-7) @ Rams (12-5) (6:30pm FOX)
We are probably a house divided today. Eric had Deebo Samuel on his fantasy team this season and I had so many players on the Rams (Cooper Kupp, OBJ, and Sony Michel). Although, his kicker was Matt Gay. I am for sure pulling for the Rams. I am also picking them for the win. I just hope that Matthew Stafford doesn’t crumble under pressure and that Cam Aikers can hang onto the damn ball.
Thanks for the edit Eric!
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