NFL Divisional Round Picks

Last week: 5-1

NFC Divisional Round

Saturday 1:35 PM PST on Fox: 6 Los Angeles Rams (+7) vs 1 Green Bay Packers

Storyline to watch: Jalen Ramsey vs Davante Adams. The Rams shutdown corner gets his most pivotal test in Packers star WR Davante Adams. Ramsey has locked down WR1s this year, but can Adams be stopped?

X-Factor(s): Rams QB. John Wolford has been ruled out, which means this will be Jared Goff at QB. Goff has had a mediocre season and was shaky against Seattle, albeit with an injury. For the Rams to win, Goff is gonna have to be competent, make some plays and limit turnovers.

Score: 27-23 Packers. The Rams are a pesky team that cannot be underestimated, but this is quite the offense in Green Bay. I don’t think Aaron Rodgers and co. will score 40, but I think they can outscore a questionable Rams offense. The Rams will need stellar defense and a well executed offensive game to win, and I think they can fight to the end, but I have the cheeseheads pulling it out.

Sunday 3:40 PM PST on Fox: 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs 2 New Orleans Saints (-3)

Storyline to watch: Brady vs Brees. In what is shaping up to be the final matchup of this storied saga between two of the greatest QBs of all-time, this is the big storyline of the weekend.

X-Factor(s): RB Leonard Fournette. The former top 10 pick had 93 yards and 1 TD last week vs Washington, as well as 4 receptions for 39 yards. He isn’t quite the elite back he once was, but another productive and efficient game on the ground will spell success for the Buccaneers offense.

Score: 31-24 Saints. The Saints have found ways to lose in the postseason, but they’ve had Tampa Bay’s number this season. I believe Drew Brees rises to the occasion and leads the Saints offense to success, while the Saints defense bends and doesn’t break their way to a victory.

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AFC Divisional Round

Saturday 5:15 PM PST on NBC: 5 Baltimore Ravens (+2.5) vs 2 Buffalo Bills

Storyline to watch: Bills response to first playoff W since 1995. The Bills got that emotional win last week vs Indianapolis, but what now? Sean McDermott needs to focus his team on continuing the journey and not settling for the Divisional Round.

X-Factor(s): CB Marlon Humphrey. The Ravens D played well last week, totally stopping his former teammate Derrick Henry. Marlon, however, had some tough moments guarding A.J. Brown. Stefon Diggs had a phenomenal year and is Josh Allen’s go-to guy, so “Analyst Humph” has to bounce back.

Score: 24-23 Ravens. The Ravens grinned out 60 hard minutes vs the Titans last week, and I think they outlast the Bills. This defensive unit can give fits to Josh Allen, who had a spectacular season, but has been prone to occasional turnovers. Offensively, the Ravens need to grind out possessions, rotate their runners, and continue to pick up first downs. Lamar wasn’t perfect last week, but he was able to take over with his legs. In what I believe is the best game of the weekend, I got the former Heisman and MVP winner willing his team to the AFC Championship.

Sunday 12:05 PM PST on CBS: 6 Cleveland Browns (+10) vs 1 Kansas City Chiefs

Storyline to watch: The return of Stefanski and continued motivation for the Browns. Lost in their big win over the Steelers last week was the absence of their leader Kevin Stefanski. With their head coach back and players across the league talking trash on the Browns, this team should be super fired up for the challenge.

X-Factor(s): Kansas City Front 7. The Chiefs offense will do what they do, but to seal this game, the KC defense is going to have to limit the Browns RB duo. Chubb and Hunt are both game breakers in their own right, so it’s imperative that the front 7 keeps the Browns behind the sticks and forces Baker Mayfield to make plays with his arm.

Score: 34-27 Chiefs. The Browns have a legit chance, don’t get that twisted, but the defending champs have had two weeks to prepare for this. I think Mahomes and the Chiefs offense should have relative ease with the Browns D and while Chubb/Hunt may have a big game, I don’t think Baker can will them to victory. Chiefs return to the AFC Championship game.

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