NFL Divisional Weekend Picks & Predictions
Wild Card Recap
Coming off a 5-1 weekend with the only loss being the tremendous upset of the Browns over the Steelers, we look to keep the momentum going. Similar to last week I will be giving a brief game analysis with a score prediction. Let’s get to it!
LA Rams vs. Green Bay Packers (Saturday 4:35PM EST)
Let’s start at the frozen tundra in Green Bay. All things point towards the Packers coming off a bye and winning this game. However, facing the best defense in football will not be an easy task. If Donald is able to play at even 60% of his full potential expect him to make a living in the Green Bay backfield. I chose the Rams to upset Seattle last week and chose Donald as the game MVP which he definitely built a case for.
Green Bay will simply be able to outscore the limited Rams offense in a low scoring battle. Ramsey will slow down Adams but the Pack will win this one 21-16 with this game being the first of a fantastic Divisional round in the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills (Saturday 8:15 PM EST)
Lamar Jackson got his first playoff victory! Now the task has even got tougher having to go into Buffalo and face arguably the best team in the league. The legs of Lamar were simply too much for a Titans defense. The Tennessee defense has been very bad all year since losing Clowney and the Ravens only scoring 20 points is a concern due to the game being perfect weather in Nashville.
Josh Allen is the runner up for MVP this season and can also be a dynamic weapon with his legs. The Bills will once again advance to the next round of the playoffs and win a tight game 24-23. The Buffalo defense will allow some runs against the 2019 MVP in Jackson but the lack of pass game will be the deciding factor.
Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday 3:05 PM EST)
No one gave the Browns a chance last weekend against the Steelers. We were wrong! Baker and the Browns continue to overcome the odds of the struggling franchise. Mahomes will bring their team the biggest challenge they could ask for this weekend. Hunt and Chubb will need to run the ball extremely well and keep #15, #10 and #87 off the field if they want a chance.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are the favorite to repeat as the Super Bowl Champs. In a season of upsets and uncertainty I believe the momentum of the Browns will be too much for the Chiefs defense to handle. Nick Chubb will have his best game of the season and run for 130 yards and Two Touchdowns. I am going with the Browns to win a nail biting game 33-30 and take one step closer to possibly the most impressive Super Bowl run we have witnessed in quite some time.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints (Sunday 6:40 PM EST)
Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, and Michael Thomas have only played together in three games this season, going 3-0. Those three contests were the two Bucs games and last weeks playoff win over the Bears. Brady and the Bucs offense looked great last week but the defense of Tampa will be the reason if they go down this Sunday. Allowing 23 points to the Washington Football Team should have Tampa Bay fans concerned to say the least.
Going into New Orleans will be too tall of a task even for the Goat. Tom will have a great day and probably even score north of 27 points. The Saints will end up being too much for the subpar Bucs defense. The Saints will win this game 37-30 in a shootout. Enjoy the games everyone!
-Fred O’Brien (@FOBSportsNFL)