Tonight two future Hall of Fame Quarterbacks will battle in the Wildcard Round: Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. The 12-5 Jets will try to use their home-field advantage against the 11-6 Chiefs. And although we have two great quarterbacks, tonight will come down to the runningbacks: Breece Hall and Isiah Pacheco.
Breece Hall has been a huge reason for the Jets’ success. Don’t get me wrong, Aaron Rodgers is still a great player, but Hall is on an elite level: 1430 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns with 3 receiving touchdowns. The playoffs are so much different from the regular season. Clock management becomes 10x more important. And with the way the Jets can run the ball with their great defense, I believe that they are the team that has a real shot at making the Super Bowl. But the first stop is against a guy who takes it to another level when it’s playoff time.
Patrick Mahomes is generational. What he can do on the field is magical. This season he had 42 passing touchdowns and 13 interceptions. But recently, the Chiefs have switched up their offense. A run-first offense. If you can’t stop the run, then they will not stop running. But when things get tough, which is very likely, will Coach Lion and the Chiefs turn to their old habits? Now either style of football would work. I mean you have Patrick Mahomes. But if the Jets can alter the Chiefs’ playstyle, how fast will the Chiefs be able to adjust?
My Prediction: Chiefs win 27-21
I see the Chiefs winning this one. I believe that the run game for the Jets will not be as effective as in the regular season. But the Chiefs have one of the worst rush defenses in the league? Correct. I believe that Coach Lion understands how below-average his run defense has been and will make an emphasis on stopping the run. Because of that, Aaron Rodgers will have to be the best player for the Jets to win. And I just don’t think he can carry a team like he used to. For the Chiefs, I believe in Mahomes and Pacheco. You can’t go wrong with either of them. But one thing I know is that when it gets tough, I can trust in Mahomes.
Tune in tonight at 7 PM EST to see what will be a classic.
© Any Given Sunday