Predictions for Sunday’s playoff matchups
Life in general and sports in particular is rife with Recency Bias. Whatever is happening now or just happened tends to enjoy undue weight. Nevertheless, Sunday’s AFC and NFC Championship Games might be the NFL’S best final four ever, or be close enough for argument, at least.
This is only the eighth time in 29 years of the current playoff format that both games are No. 1 vs. 2 seeds, and the first time in the 53-year Super Bowl era the league’s four highest-scoring offenses are featured. Both games are rematches of regular season meetings that saw a combined 163 points scored.
The Super Bowl play-in games also come wrapped with a bow in an overarching theme: Old Guard vs. New. Can Tom Brady, 41, stave off the Next Big Thing in 23-year-old Patrick Mahomes? Will Drew Brees, 40, stay on top or is it time for 24-year-old Jared Goff? A tetonic power shift could be coming in the NFL ... or not. Let’s dive in! NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RAMS (14-3, No. 2 seed) at SAINTS (14-3, No. 1) Cote’s pick: NO 34-27 TV: 3:05 p.m. Sunday, Fox Holding the No. 1 seed in the NFL playoffs is like drawing pocket aces in Texas Hold ‘Em. Nine of the last 10 consecutive conference championship games have been won by the home team. (The last exception was the 49ers winning in Atlanta in 2012). And N’awlins’ home-field edge is greater than most. Saints are 15-2 in past 17 games on the Bayou, while Sean Payton (6-0) has yet to lose at home in the postseason. Saints parlayed the home grisgris to a 45-35 win when the Rams visited in Week 9 – and another shootout is in the offing in Sun-
day’s first of two Super Bowl playins. Saints reached and won the Super Bowl when last they held the No. 1 seed, in 2009. Rams were last in a Super Bowl in 2001 (as St. Louis) and last in one as the L.A. Rams in 1979. Drew Brees and the home field are the loud differences in this game. The quiet one is the Saints’ edge on defense, especially at home, especially against the run, and especially later in the season. In contrast the Rams’ D is seen as better than it really is because of Aaron Donald and his 20 { sacks. Donald might bother Brees some, but Brees will bother L.A.’S defense more. The Rams have below-average run defense and nobody (including Aqib Talib) who can stop elite receiver Michael Thomas from being a difference maker on Sunday.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PATRIOTS (12-5, No. 2 seed) at CHIEFS (13-4, No. 1) Cote’s pick: KC 30-24 TV: 6:40 p.m. Sunday, CBS
It’s funny to hear Tom Brady, of all people, wearing the underdog hat and playing the nobodybelieves-in-us card. (Picture Bill Gates begging change at an
(12-8, 3-3) will now prepare for their rival, Yuba City, on Wednesday.
Junior Varsity Woodcreek 50, Yuba City 41
In Yuba City – The Honkers JV squad fell at home on Thursday despite some standout performances from a few of their players.
Matt Biggins led the way with 13 points and Jalen Hale scored 12 points for himself.
Yuba City JV (13-7, 3-3) will play today at Antelope. Tip–off is set for 5:30 p.m. Marysville 66, Foothill 55 In Marysville – The Marysville JV team was able to come away with a solid victory at home on Thursday.
The Indians were led by Wyatt Sharp with 17 points, Devon Conway with 14 points and J.B. Brown with 14 points.
Marysville (14-4, 4-0) will play Colusa at home today.
Varsity Lindhurst 57, Colfax 52 In Olivehurst – The Blazers came away with a tight win on Thursday after they defeated Colfax by five points.
The Blazers were led by Zack Massey with 15 points and Akili Woodson with 11 points.
Dominic Paxson also pitched in with 10 points to help elevate his team’s offense.
Lindhurst (9-11, 1-3) will have some time off before playing Bear River on Wednesday. River Valley 60, Antelope 44
In Yuba City – The Falcons were able to come away with a solid win on Thursday when they faced off against league foe, Antelope.
River Valley was led by Puneet Bains with 17 points, Sergio Garcia with 15 points and five steals and Sahib Sharma with 12 points and four rebounds.
River Valley varsity (138, 4-2) will now prepare for their cross-town rival, Yuba City. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Yuba City High School on Wednesday. Marysville 61, Foothill 51 In Marysville – The Indians