The grind of the NFL Playoffs continues this weekend, with all eight of the remaining teams set to vie for the four tickets for the conference championship round. Let’s now take a look at each of these games below, beginning with the clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday.
Picks and Predictions for the NFL Divisional Round Weekend Games for the 2020-21 Season Playoffs
Los Angeles Rams (+6.5) vs Green Bay Packers (-6.5): Saturday Jan 16 (4:35 PM ET)
Who will the Rams have under center in the divisional round? John Wolford was not able to finish the team’s 30-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round, while Jared Goff is still dealing with a thumb issue. Goff, however, is reportedly practicing, so that’s a good sign for the Rams. As for the Packers, Aaron Rodgers and company are well-rested after taking a bye last week. The Packers warmed up for the playoffs by whipping the Chicago Bears in Week 17 during a 35-16 road win.
Prediction:
The Packers win, 27-23.
Baltimore Ravens (+2) vs Buffalo Bills (-2): Saturday Jan 16 (8:15 PM ET)
Two of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the league go head to head in this terrific matchup. On one hand, we have 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who’s been driving the Ravens’ offense that has scored at least 34 points in four of the team’s last six games. On the other hand, we have Josh Allen. The Bills’ attack has been elevated status this season with Allen under center, but he’s also got Stefon Digg’s arrival to Buffalo to thank for. The Bills had the second-best offense back in the regular season.
Prediction:
The Bills win, 30-27.
Cleveland Browns (+10) vs Kansas City Chiefs (-10): Sunday Jan 17 (3:05 PM ET)
It’s weird seeing the Browns play football during this time of the year, but they’ve definitely earned that after taking down the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road last week, 48-37, despite missing head coach Kevin Stefanski and a few other key players. Now, the Browns will get Stefanski back along with Joel Bitonio, Denzel Ward, and Kevin Johnson. But will all those be enough for the Browns to upset the Chiefs? Kansas City rested last week and it only lost to the LA Chargers in Week 17 because the Chiefs opted to play a bunch of backups instead. Are we going to see the Browns’ ‘Cinderella run’ continue? Or will the Chiefs stop Baker Mayfield and company on their track
Prediction:
The Chiefs win, 33-29.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3.5) vs New Orleans Saints (-3.5): Sunday Jan 17 (6:40 PM ET)
The combined age of Tom Brady and Drew Brees is 84. But so what? These are two future Hall of Famers who still got game, and they each will look to lead their team to a win this coming Sunday. Brady and the Bucs have lost both regular-season meetings with New Orleans, but Playoff Brady is just different, as evidenced by his performance in last weekend’s 31-23 road win over the Washington Football Team. The Saints, meanwhile, will try to build on their dominant performance in the Wild Card round in which they defeated the Chicago Bears at home, 21-9.
Prediction:
The Buccaneers win, 31-27.
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