NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Preview and Betting Predictions
Last week our picks went 3-3, not bad, but certainly not great. However, thanks to the 49ers’ upset win, we did finish + ROI. So let’s keep the cash flow going in this week’s NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Preview and Betting Predictions.
Green Bay and Tennessee will have the benefit of a week’s rest. Last week, Joe Burrow and Matt Stafford picked up their first playoff career wins. The Niners advanced thanks to an upset thriller in Big D, and The G.O.A.T. did what he has done throughout his career, and that was to notch another playoff win. Now to get you prepared for the week ahead, here are our best bets and picks for the Divisional Round.
Saturday, Jan. 22nd
4:30 p.m. (E.T.) No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals vs. No. 1 Tennessee Titans
The Titans are the No. 1 seed in the conference and well-rested coming off a first-round bye. Last week, the Bengals dispatched the Raiders 26-19 in the wildcard round.
In his first career playoff game, Joe Burrow looked like a poised veteran, completing 24 of 34 passes for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns. So much has been made of the Cinicannit offense lately – as it should be. Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Joe Mixon are currently playing at an all-pro level. But I believe this game comes down to line play on both sides. Cincinnati will be without DT Larry Ogunjobi (foot), who ranks third on the team in sacks (7) and is an effective run-stopper. That bodes well for the Tennesse run game, which should have stud RB Derrick Henry back in the lineup for the first time after suffering a foot injury in October. Titans coach Mike Vrabel has been somewhat cryptic about Henry’s availability, but Henry continues to practice this week, so stay tuned.
Thankfully for the Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson, who leads the team in sacks (14), is out of concussion protocol. Nonetheless, I believe the Titans’ defensive line will have a massive performance against the lackluster offensive line of the Bengals that surrendered the 3rd most sacks in the league. In addition to a line advantage, the Titans finished the regular season as the sixth-best defense in the league based on points allowed.
Titans QB Ryan Tannehill had another consistent year tossing for 3734 yards, 21 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. Furthermore, the veteran QB added 7 rushing touchdowns on a career-high 55 rushing attempts. Wideouts Julio Jones and A.J. Brown only combined for 1300 receiving yards this season, yet they will be ready to go Saturday despite the injuries both suffered this season. A well-rested Titans team, along with the return of King Henry, makes me feel Cincinnati is not leaving here with a W.
Pick: Tennessee Titans – 3.5
8:15 p.m. (E.T.) No. 6 San Francisco 49ers vs. No. 1 Green Bay Packers
These two teams met way back in week 3 of the season, and it was a thriller. Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on a game-winning drive, which ended in a Mason Crosby field goal with no time remaining. However, that was the regular season. However, Aaron Rodgers is currently 0-3 against the 49ers in the postseason with exits in 2013, 2014, 2020.
Speaking of those 49ers, I believe the key will be the status of DE Nick Bosa (concussion) and LB Fred Warner (ankle), who left early in the first round of the playoffs due to injury. If those two guys are healthy and can play, the 49ers’ chances of containing Rodgers increase, therefore their chance of winning. QB Jimmy Garoppolo will again play through a shoulder sprain and a torn thumb ligament in his throwing hand. Garoppolo was effective enough against Dallas last week, tossing 16 completions for 172 yards and 1 INT. The game plan is clear for Coach Kyle Shannahan – get the ball to the dynamic WR/RB Deebo Samuel and reliable TE George Kittle while pounding the run with Elijah Mitchell.
First off, it’s Aaron Rodgers, along with Aaron Jones, Davante Adams, and now a healthy WR Randall Cobb (Core) will be at home in the playoffs, rested with a temperature expected in the single digits. Secondly, The Packers are an impressive 6-1 A.T.S. as home favorites over their last seven at Lambeau. Lastly, I believe Rodgers finally gets the 49ers playoff monkey off his back.
Pick: Green Bay Packers -5.5, lean under 47.5
Sunday, Jan. 23rd
3:00 p.m. (E.T.) No. 4 Los Angeles Rams vs. No. 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Another matchup of teams who have already met this season. The Rams handled the Bucs 34-24 back in week 3. Bucs QB Tom Brady was 41 for 55 with a whopping 432 passing yards and 1 touchdown. Not to be outdone, Rams QB Matthew Stafford collected 343 passing yards and 4 touchdowns. Should we expect 700+ passing yards combined again? I doubt it, but you never know. Let’s start with the Rams. WR Odell Beckham Jr. has caught six touchdowns in nine games since joining Los Angeles. Cooper Kupp leads the league in every receiving category that really matters. LB Von Miller (6 sacks in the last 6 games) and the formidable DT Aaron Donald are pass-rushing nightmares for quarterbacks. The Rams are also 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in Tampa Bay.
No doubt the Rams deserve to be here, but the defending champion Buccaneers have QB Tom Brady, whose playoff experience far exceeds Matthew Stafford’s. The Bucs did take two big hits to its offensive line last week in their 31-15 wildcard win over the Philadelphia Eagles with injuries to Tristan Wirfs (ankle) and Ryan Jensen (back), both questionable to play. If they don’t play, expect added pressure on Brady. If Leonard Fournette (hamstring) does not go, running backs Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Giovanni Bernard should split carries with Bernard seeing the passing down work. Even without wide receivers Antonio Brown and Chris Godwin, Brady still has plenty of weapons, including old pal TE Rob Gronkowski, who I believe is guaranteed 8-12 targets in this game. Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and his exotic blitz packages should pressure Stafford, who threw 17 interceptions in the regular season, tied for the league lead.
Pick: Under 48.5 and Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3
6:30 p.m. (E.T.) No. 3 Buffalo Bills vs. No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs
These teams met back in week 5, with the Bills routing the Chiefs 38-20. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes combined for 587 passing yards and 5 passing touchdowns.
We all know how explosive the Kansas City offense can be, but the Chiefs are playing much better defensively than they did earlier in the season. In their first 7 games, the Chiefs defense gave up an average of 29 points per game. However, over their last 8, they only allowed 12 PPG. Coach Andy Reid has got his team in peak performance at the right time.
Surely the Chiefs’ defense will need to come to play against a Bills’ high-powered offense. Buffalo appears to have caught fire at the right time, winners of 5 straight, and will look to avenge last seasons 38-24 defeat at the hands of these Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. Josh Allen has utilized receivers Stefon Diggs (1225 receiving yards), Cole Beasley (82 receptions), and TE Dawson Knox (9 TD) with efficiency all season. But it’s the running game with Devin Singletary, who has averaged 93 yards on the ground over his last 3 games, that makes this offense well balanced and intimidating to opposing defenses. Moreover, Allen also contributed 122 rushing attempts for 6 rushing touchdowns. This will be a great game and one I think will go back and forth offensively.
I firmly believe the winner of this game will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Pick: Over 55, lean Bills +2
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