Seth Udinski, FISM News
The second round of the NFL playoffs is set to begin this weekend, with two games scheduled for Saturday and two more for Sunday.
On Saturday at 4:30 EST, the Cincinnati Bengals travel to Nashville to take on the #1 seed Tennessee Titans. Cincinnati is coming off its first playoff win in three decades behind phenom sophomore quarterback Joe Burrow. Meanwhile, Tennessee hopes the return of its workhorse running back Derrick Henry will spark the team to a win. Henry was the top running back in the NFL in 2020 and on pace for another excellent year in 2021 when he broke his foot midway through the season.
The winner of this game will take on the winner of the other AFC divisional game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. The two teams will clash at 6:30 EST on Sunday night in Kansas City in what will be a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game.
Fans are excited about a growing rivalry between Bills’ QB Josh Allen and Chiefs’ signal- caller Patrick Mahomes, two of the best and highest-paid young quarterbacks in the league. The Bills look for revenge from last year’s 38-24 loss to KC, while the Chiefs are vying to return to their third Super Bowl in a row with a win both this week and next week.
In the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers travel to the frozen tundra of Green Bay to take on the top-seeded Green Bay Packers and defending MVP Aaron Rodgers, who many football experts believe could win another MVP award this year. San Francisco comes off a shocking upset win over the Dallas Cowboys in the wildcard round, while Green Bay looks to return to its third NFC Championship in a row. Kickoff in Green Bay is set for 8:15 EST on Saturday night.
Saturday’s winner will keep a close eye on the Sunday afternoon NFC contest, as Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Los Angeles Rams at 3:00 EST. Experts expect an offensive showdown between these two teams, featuring another MVP candidate in Rams’ wide receiver Cooper Kupp.