A Look Ahead, Part 3

Four more teams had their seasons end this weekend, so I’ll take a look at each and what to expect moving forward.

GREEN BAY PACKERS: The Packers seemed to have the clearest path to the Super Bowl. Every game would have to be played in frigid Lambeau Field and Aaron Rodgers was playing at an MVP level and seemed intent on thumbing his nose at all the detractors and the media.

Then they laid an egg in the postseason once again. The special teams were as bad as we’ve ever witnessed, but the vaunted offense was pretty pathetic too. Rodgers looked nothing like an MVP. Only the defense showed up, but when it mattered they couldn’t stop the run, giving up a first down on third and seven, which effectively won the game for San Francisco.

Where do the Packers go from here? First, the obvious, they’ll have a new special teams coordinator next season.

Then there’s the Aaron Rodgers situation. Will he return? Will he force a trade? Will he retire? One thing is for certain, the drama won’t last the entire off season this year.

Maybe even more concerning is the salary cap situation. Green Bay is way, way over the cap for next year and Davante Adams is a free agent. I think the Adams situation and the Rodgers situation are closely linked. Neither will return without the other, can the Packers front office get it done?

TENNESSEE TITANS: I really like how the Titans are built. They’re an old school, smash mouth football team. Play great defense, run the football. They had a QB that didn’t make mistakes, key word is had. Ryan Tannehill was quite simply awful against Cincinnati, no other way to put it. Tennessee lost because of his mistakes.

The Titans have a championship caliber roster, only some minor tweaks needed, except for QB. There’s not much they can do, they could explore a trade for an Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson. Maybe sign a younger QB with a little upside, Mitch Trubisky, perhaps? Jameis Winston?

Tennessee should be the favorite to win the AFC South next season, but can they make the next step with Tannehill as the QB?

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Was this Brady’s last dance? I doubt it, but you never know. Tampa Bay was decimated by key injuries and other issues (Antonio Brown), yet they still nearly pulled off a miracle.

Brady is ageless. He doesn’t appear to have lost a thing, I don’t see a reason for him to call it quits now. The question is, can they build around him? Chris Godwin is coming off an ACL injury and is a free agent. The secondary was an issue all season and the offensive line was shaky against the Rams.

The Bucs are also likely to lose at least one of their coordinators.

If Brady returns, just some minor tweaks are needed, if not, full rebuild mode.

BUFFALO BILLS: As I’m writing this I’m still catching my breath from that epic clash with the Chiefs. I feel crushed for the Bills and their fans. Josh Allen was everything he was supposed to be, and Patrick Mahomes denied him, again.

It will take awhile to get over this loss, but Buffalo can be secure in a bright future. Allen is a superstar. They’re always going to have a chance if he’s on the field.

They’ll lose OC Brian Daboll, for sure, maybe even DC Leslie Frazier. They need some upgrades along the O-Line, and on defense to try to slow down the Chiefs, but this is a team on the verge of greatness.

After going 6-0 in Wildcard weekend, I fell back to earth in the Divisional Round, going 1-3. Oddly, my only win was the biggest upset of the weekend, San Francisco over Green Bay.

All my Super Bowl picks are now eliminated, so I get to start fresh.

CINCINNATI @ KANSAS CITY

I love the Bengals story, and the Burrow/Chase connection is fun to watch, but NINE SACKS! They’re extremely lucky to be here, and we’re talking Patrick Mahomes and the juggernaut Chiefs.

I wasn’t picking Cincy in this one, even if Buffalo had one. No way. Great story, but they’re just not ready yet.

CHIEFS 38 Bengals 20

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS @ LOS ANGELES RAMS

I want, with all my heart, to pick the Niners. I love George Kittle. I love Robbie Gould. I even love Jimmy Garrapolo, but sheesh, he was pretty bad for most of Saturday night.

I had questions about Matthew Stafford and his ability to make plays when it mattered. He answered those against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. LA nearly gave it away by continually shooting themselves in the foot, but in the end Stafford, and Cooper Kupp, made the play.

Niners have owned the Rams. Kyle Shanahan has had McVay’s number, but I really think LA gets over that hump this time.

RAMS 24 49ers 16

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