Few thought the Los Angeles Rams or Cleveland Browns would get this far, and the Buffalo Bills achieved far more success than might be expected. The Baltimore Ravens storm into the dispute again, some 40-quarterbacks will face New Orleans and everyone is (or should be) afraid of the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The wheat is separated from the chaff, and the division round will further narrow things.
Here’s a look at the NFL playoffs this weekend. Unlike in the regular season, the choices are not made against the points spread.
Saturday’s Games
Los Angeles Framework by Green Bay Packers, 16:35, Fox
Line: packers -6.5 | Total: 45.5
Much will be made about the relationship between Coach Sean McVay of the Rams and Matt LaFleur of the Packers. LaFleur served as McVay’s offensive coordinator in 2017, and from 2010 to 2013 together they were offensive assistants in Washington’s staff. They are key figures in an offensive revolution, but if you’re hoping for a high score, you might want to try another one.
Green Bay led the NFL in the standings, thanks to a turn-the-clock-back season from Aaron Rodgers that puts him in the fight for the most valuable player award. His success comes with the help of the running of Aaron Jones (1,459 meters from scrum), the vertical threat of Marquez Valdes-Scantling (20.9 meters per reception) and the everyday brilliance of Davante Adams (115 catches, 1,374 meters and 18 touchdowns)).
But if there is one team that is slowing down the Packers, it is the Rams.
Little defense can match the relentless passion of Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd, and although Rodgers does not shoot up easily, the few times he has shown weakness over the past few years have come when he is under constant pressure. Complicating matters is the absence of star-left pack David Bakhtiari, whose season ended in Week 16 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Jones could be neutralized by a leading seven from the Rams who finished third in the NFL in defense – yes, Donald walks there too. Green Bay is dependent on the threat to Valdes-Scantling at home, thanks to the tendency to slow down.
It leaves the most intriguing game as the one between cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Adams, who could make a case as the NFL’s best and most underrated receiver.
“You know me, I want to take action against anyone and have as much good-as-good as possible,” Adams said this week when asked about Ramsey.
On neutral ground and with equal health, it could be a stir for the Rams. But Green Bay fought hard to gain the home field advantage through the playoffs, and that hard work could be the team’s lifeline. It is expected to be about 30 degrees at the kick-off in Green Bay, Wis., And Rams full-back Jared Goff is only a few weeks removed from surgery on the thumb of his throwing hand. It looks like he’s struggling with his grip last week, and the cold, coupled with a good enough Packers defense, should give Green Bay the lead. Choose: Packers
Baltimore Ravens by Buffalo Bills, 20:15, NBC
Rule: Bills -2.5 | Total: 50
The Ravens have not lost a game since December 2nd. The bills have not lost one since November 15th. Both have weatherproof offense and defenses that can change game. And both have overcome a psychological weight in the game card round – Buffalo achieved its first post-season victory since the 1995 season; Lamar Jackson of the Ravens won a playoff game for the first time.
There are a myriad of reasons to pull for both teams – and a persistent belief that both the teams that start will only lose in the next round against Kansas City, but it’s hard to believe that Buffalo, even at home, can delay the Baltimore juggernaut. games.
When the Ravens pressed the “reset button” after a mid-season silence, the team focused almost all of its attack on the running back of quarterback Lamar Jackson and fullbacks JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards. That led to Baltimore rushing 230 yards or more in four of its last five games of the regular season, including a ridiculous 404 – the fifth most rushing game in NFL history – in a Week 17 victory over Cincinnati. It continued into the wild card round, with the Ravens running 236 yards.
Buffalo were 17th in defense this season, but the rankings would have been worse if teams had not been forced to succeed in keeping up with the Bills’ electrical offense. This is evident from the fact that Buffalo was allowed among the NFL’s six weakest defenses in yards per carry (4.6) and quick tackles (21).
The Bills’ defense has several players who could lead to serious disruption, but many of them come in the secondary series. On a cold day in Orchard Park, NY, the Ravens were able to concentrate on running the ball, and it’s hard to see the bills stopping them. Buffalo’s offense can’t be counted, even against a solid Ravens defense, but Baltimore must control the clock and the game. Choose: Ravens
Sunday’s Games
Cleveland Browns by Kansas City Chiefs, 15:05, CBS
Line: Chiefs -10 | Total: 56.5
For all intents and purposes, Cleveland advanced to the division round after a little over 13 minutes of its game card game against Pittsburgh. A playoff game rarely went that fast sideways, with the Browns defending forcing three quick turnovers and handling their offense to end the deal by taking a 28-0 lead with 1 minute and 56 seconds left in the first term.
The Browns’ 48-37 victory should not be written off as a stroke of luck – Cleveland has his best team since coach Bill Belichick walked around the sidelines in the mid-1990s – but taking advantage of Ben Roethlisberger’s mistakes much of it as forcing Patrick Mahomes. in some, so it would be foolish to repeat a flashy start.
Kansas City may be able to run Clyde Edwards-Helaire again due to a terrifying hip injury in Week 15. Even if they are not, a combination of Le’Veon Bell and Damien Williams offers enough balance that Mahomes Cleveland’s can shred secondary with deep passes to wide receiver Tyreek Hill and threw Travis Kelce down to the tight end.
Cleveland’s offense has occasionally cracked a bit – last week’s effort was the franchise’s highest score since the 1954 NFL Championship – and the Browns can chew the clock thanks to the excellent combination of fullbacks Nick Chubb and Kareem. Hunt. But even Baker Mayfield’s most ardent believers must struggle to lead him into a battle with Mahomes. The Browns are not printing, but they probably can not do much to stand in Kansas City’s way. Choose: Chiefs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers by New Orleans Saints, 18:40, Fox
Rule: Saints -3 | Total: 52
The oldest starting quarterback in the AFC playoffs is Baker Mayfield, who only turns 26 in April. Three of the four entrees in the conference were the first rounds in the draft of 2018. By the time one of the four started a game in the NFL, Tom Brady had already won five Super Bowls and Drew Brees was Dan. To pass Marino’s record for careers.
The young players largely re-imagined the quarterback position, using their agility to empower their demise while contributing to a league explosion in the league. Yet Brady and Brees, museum-quality examples of a forgotten era of pocket goers, continue to be serious Super Bowl contenders in the second week of the playoffs.
In fact, this game should not just be defined by its famous quarterbacks. Brees’ Saints have had a lot of offense this season – Alvin Kamara, the feedback, led the NFL with 21 total touchdowns – but rely just as much on the defense, which the team’s defense coordinator Dennis Allen has built into a powerhouse.
Tampa Bay also has a talented young defense – the support on the side of the ball undoubtedly played a role in Brady’s decision to sign there – and over the past few weeks the Buccaneers have started clicking on the attack. The team’s wealth of reception options – wide receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown; Rob Gronkowski has boosted Brady to his best statistical season since at least 2017 and one of the best in his career.
The regular season meetings between these teams were laughable. The Saints won both, with a combined score of 72-26. And they play at home, which plays a role for them, even if the impact is reduced by the small crowds that the team may host. The Buccaneers are a good enough team to be respected – in many ways it feels like a striker – but the Saints are rightfully close favorites in the most competitive game of the weekend. Choose: Saints.
All times are Oriental.