This weekend, the number one seeds get into the playoff action. Kansas City and Green Bay host playoff games on Saturday and Sunday as we get to the final eight in the NFL. If you look at the Divisional Round, the one thing that stands out is the fact the QBs take center stage this weekend. You have the older, all-time greats in Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers. You have the best QB in the league right now in Pat Mahomes, a blossoming superstar in Josh Allen, a former #1 overall pick in Baker Mayfield, last year's MVP, and............Jared Goff. This should be a fun weekend as always and the matchups are certainly good enough to produce some classics. Here are my picks for Divisional Weekend.....
Last Week's Record (3-3)
Playoff Record (3-3)
Overall 2020 Record (126-123-12)
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
NFC Divisional Playoff Game
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers
A Case for the Rams: Their defense is playing really well. They dominated the Seahawks and Russell Wilson last week, and come playoff time a great defense can go a long way-especially in a single elimination format. They have a solid running game to go with that defense as well. You have to favor Sean McVay in the coaching matchup over Matt LaFleur. You know McVay is going to design a very solid gameplan. You also have to like the fact that the Rams will use that idea that no one really believed in them last week, and now no one is going to believe in them this week going to Lambeau Field to take on the Packers. The Rams are the underdog, and I think they will relish that role, and no fans in the stands will help them. I would expect them to play fast and loose and give the Packers a very tough game on Saturday afternoon-no matter who starts at QB for them.
A Case for the Packers: They are the number one seed for a reason. They have Aaron Rodgers playing at at high level. They got to the NFC Championship Game last year and it has burned them since that loss to get to the Super Bowl. Who are you going to back in a big game: Rodgers or Jared Goff? If it not even a question. Throw in the fact that the game is in Lambeau and it will be cold and the elements will be in the favor of the Packers-even without any fans in attendance. I do worry about Jared Goff playing well in Lambeau in that weather environment with a broken thumb.
Prediction: Los Angeles (+7) over GREEN BAY: I think the Rams will push the Packers to the limit, but in the end, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will be too much and they will head to their second straight NFC Championship Game.
Final Score: Packers-26 Rams-20
AFC Divisional Playoff Game
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
A Case for the Ravens: You always are looking for that "hot" team that is heading into the playoffs and the team that no one wants to play, and the Ravens might be that team this year. They were down 10-0 at Tennessee last week and nothing was going their way, but Lamar Jackson made some huge plays with his legs, and the Ravens defense stifled the Titans to win the game 20-13. They are riding some momentum and are currently on a six game winning streak. Jackson can just take over the game with his athletic ability, and he got his first playoff win to get that out of the way. Their defense is healthy and playing well, they are battle tested, and very well-coached for a game like this. They smoked the Bills in Buffalo last year, and the 6,700 fans in attendance won't be a factor. and No one will be surprised at all if they go into Buffalo and knock off the Bills.
A Case for the Bills: They might have gotten the monkey off their back by pulling out the 27-24 win over the Colts last week. Their defense didn't play that well, and they needed Josh Allen to bail them out once again. I wonder if getting that game out of the way will help them this week. They are at home again, so they don't have to travel. Allen got his first playoff win out of the way, so the pressure is off of him. We know he can just take a game over by himself and put the Bills on his back. Also, they are going to hear all week how the Ravens are rolling and how Buffalo didn't want to see the Ravens in their building. By gameday, the majority of people will be picking the Ravens. The Bills will use that as motivation for sure.
Prediction: BUFFALO (-3) over Baltimore: The Bills will hold off the Ravens and advance to their first AFC Championship Game since 1993
Final Score: Bills-24 Ravens-20
AFC Divisional Playoff Game
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs
A Case for the Browns: They are playing with house money. They have nothing to lose after getting their first playoff win in 26 years by destroying their nemesis, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the Wild Card round. Anything that happens from here is gravy. They are getting some players back from the Covid list including Joel Bitonio and Denzel Ward. They are also getting their coach, Kevin Stefanski, back from the Covid list. They will head to Arrowhead to take on the defending Super Bowl champs with nothing to lose, and they can play the game fast and loose.
A Case for the Chiefs: We know how good Andy Reid has his team prepared after a bye week. I thought the Chiefs got bored the last month of the season. They knew they were winning the division and going to get the #1 seed, and I think they just took their foot off the gas. I believe they will come out firing on all cylinders, and I would expect a monster effort by Pat Mahomes and that offense. Instead of drawing the Ravens, they ended up with the Browns, and I think they believe that is an easier matchup. The Chiefs are rested and ready to make a run at back-to-back Super Bowl titles.
Prediction: KANSAS CITY (-9) over Cleveland: The Browns are a nice story, but they will be no match for the Chiefs, who will advance to their third straight AFC Championship Game.
Final Score: Chiefs-34 Browns-21
NFC Divisional Playoff Game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
A Case for the Buccaneers: They have Tom Brady, who is playing just lights out right now. Their offense is clicking with all their available weapons. They got swept by the Saints in the regular season, and the second game was a huge blowout in Tampa. The Bucs will use that game as motivation, and I would expect them to play a lot better than they did in the regular season. The homefield advantage will not be a factor in the Superdome without any fans in attendance, so that will help the Bucs. That building would be insane for a game like this in other years with fans. You can totally see the Bucs going into New Orleans and knocking off the Saints, and what a story that would be.
A Case for the Saints: In what will most likely be Drew Brees' final year, maybe this is the year they get back to the Super Bowl and get that second ring for Brees. They have endured three straight years of playoff disappointment, and they got the first playoff game out of the way with the easy win over the Bears last Sunday in the Wild Card Game. Perhaps the Saints just have the Bucs number. You have to favor Sean Payton over Bruce Arians in this spot. Also, maybe the Saints are due. It might end up being their year.
Prediction: NEW ORLEANS (-3) over Tampa Bay: The Saints make it 3-0 against the Bucs and advance to their second NFC Championship in three years.
Final Score: Saints-30 Buccaneers-26
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