Divisional Matchups: Spread Predictions
As expected, every home team this weekend is favored. The Tennessee Titans are 3.5 point favorites against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Packers opened as 6 point favorites against the San Francisco 49ers after the 49ers upset win over the Cowboys. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just 3 point favorites over the Los Angeles Rams. Possibly the greatest matchup of all, the Kansas City Chiefs are 2.5 point favorites over the Buffalo Bills.
Titans (-3.5) vs Bengals
The Bengals hosted the Las Vegas Raiders last week and won by a touchdown. Although the Bengals outplayed the Raiders, the game could have ended in a different result if the referees didn’t count the touchdown where the whistle was blown mid-play, giving the Bengals a 20-6 lead late in the first half. The NFL rules state that if a whistle is blown at any point during a play the play is ruled dead. Instead, the refs gave the Bengals a touchdown ruining the integrity of the game. Those referees are no longer going to call games this postseason.
The Titans coming off a bye look to take advantage of the Bengals at home this Saturday. Derrick Henry who has been on injured reserve since week 8 will look to make a comeback this weekend. Wide receiver AJ Brown has been red hot as of late and will look to continue that streak so long as Ryan Tannehill can compete with the Bengals elite pass rush. Joe Burrow has been a star this season with the help of rookie reciever and leading OROY Jamaar Chase. Although the Titans secondary is mediocre at best, I believe the the return of Derrick Henry will be too much for the Bengals to handle, ultimately ending their season.
PICK: TITANS -3.5
Packer (-6) vs 49ers
The 49ers came into Dallas last Sunday and upset the Cowboys. Their pass rush was elite giving Dak Prescott limited time to throw to his wide recievers. The run game between rookie running back Elijah Mitchell and wide reciever Deebo Samuel was just too much for the Cowboys to handle. Penalties killed the Dallas Cowboys, but the 49ers overall outplayed them and won by 6 after Dak Prescott ran the ball up the middle to end the game.
The Green Bay Packers, arguing the best team in the league, are coming off a bye and will host the hot 49ers in Lambeau. This game will be a battle between Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Garrappalo. I think that the 49ers will keep this game close but ultimately Jimmy G will make a game changing interception late in the game to give the Packers the win.
PICK: 49ers +6
Buccaneers (-3) vs Rams
The Buccaneers are coming off a strong win against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Buccaneers tremendous defensive line held them to under 100 yards rushing after the Eagles led the league in rushing this season. Tom Brady performed well even without a majority of his skill players. The Rams easily handled the Cardinals and forced Kyler Murray to make poor decisions.
Both the Buccaneers and the Rams have elite pass rushers and will give both quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford limited time to throw the ball. I think that Tom Brady’s postseason experience vs Stafford’s lack of experience will be the difference in the game and will give the Buccaneers a touchdown win.
Pick: Buccaneers -3
Chiefs (-2.5) vs Buffalo Bills
This matchup is perhaps the most intriguing game of the divisional playoffs. It will be a battle between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. Patrick Mahomes is coming off an easy win against a week Steelers team whereas Josh Allen is coming off a perfect game against a top 5 defensive Patriots. I think this battle will come down to the very end and believe that Josh Allen will carry his amazing performance from last week and beat Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs in Arrowhead stadium.
Pick: Bill +2.5
