#4 Cincinnati Bengals at #1 Tennessee Titans

Game Info

Date: 1/22/2022

Kickoff Time: 4:30 PM EST

Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

TV: CBS

Game Odds (Caesars Sportsbook)

Spread: TEN -3.5

Point total: O/U 47.5

Moneyline: TEN -200, CIN +170

Preview:

The Bengals roll into Tennessee a week removed from a thrilling victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in a game that saw their 32 year long postseason drought end. 

Behind the play of second-year star quarterback Joe Burrow, an explosive group of weapons headlined by likely Offensive Rookie of the Year recipient Ja’Marr Chase and a solid defense, Cincinnati has developed into a young powerhouse that no team wants to play.

For Tennessee, today’s divisional-round game will be their first of this postseason after receiving a first-round bye courtesy of the team securing the top seed in the conference.

To the delight of the Titans’ organization and fanbase, star running back Derrick Henry was activated from injured reserve yesterday ahead of their clash with the Bengals. 

The presence of Henry in the backfield should relieve some of the pressure from quarterback Ryan Tannehill and give the Titans their entire arsenal of weapons for the first time since earlier in the season.

The matchup between these two teams with contrasting identities should prove to be an entertaining clash to determine who books the first ticket to the AFC Championship game.

Staff Predictions:

Brian: Bengals 27, Titans 23

Robert: Bengals 24, Titans 14

Krebs: Bengals 24, Titans 30

Raymond: Bengals 17, Titans 28

Allan: Bengals 21 , Titans 31

#5 San Francisco 49ers at #1 Green Bay Packers

Game Info

Date: 1/22/2022

Kickoff Time: 8:15 PM EST

Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

TV: Fox

Game Odds (Caesars Sportsbook)

Spread: GB -5.5

Point total: O/U 47

Moneyline: GB -240, SF +200

Preview:

Fresh off of a controversial(?) win on the road against the Cowboys, the 49ers will look to continue their quest for a sixth Lombardi Trophy against the top overall seed Green Bay Packers.

The matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers looks like an intriguing matchup due to the similar play-calling schemes of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and his Packers counterpart Matt LaFleur. 

For San Francisco, their offense is driven by their explosive run game and do-it-all wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who paced the team with 110 yards of total offense and a touchdown last week. 

Green Bay will have their hands full with limiting a player who is used across the offense and is put in favorable situations by Shanahan. Him, along with All-Pro tight end George Kittle, dynamic running back Elijah Mitchell, and a fellow receiver Brandon Aiyuk form the dynamic core of an offense that can gain yards in bunches.

On the other sideline, First Team All-Pro and future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers will lead his team into their first foray of this postseason as the top overall seed. 

Rodgers will be looking to build upon a season that saw him finish as one of the leading candidates for the Most Valuable Player award and secure his second Super Bowl ring. 

Green Bay will be receiving reinforcements in the return of left tackle David Bakhtiari and cornerback Jaire Alexander, which will bring an already well-rounded roster closer to full strength.

Staff Predictions:

Brian: Packers 30, 49ers 20

Robert: Packers 27, 49ers 24

Krebs: Packers 35, 49ers 24

Raymond: Packers 27, 49ers 20

Allan: Packers 27, 49ers 17

#4 Los Angeles Rams at #2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Game info

Date: 1/23/2022

Kickoff Time: 3:00 PM EST 

Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

TV: NBC

Game Odds (Caesars Sportsbook)

Spread: TB -2.5

Point total: O/U 48

Moneyline: TB -150, LAR +130

Preview:

Sunday’s exciting slate of games will kick off with the highly anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Both teams disposed of their Wild Card opponents convincingly, winning by 23 and 16 points, respectively.

For Los Angeles, quarterback Matthew Stafford exorcised his playoff demons with an efficient 202 yard, two-touchdown performance to capture his first playoff win in his 13-year career.

The Rams also received offensive contributions from running backs Sony Michel and Cam Akers, the latter of which played his first game of the season after suffering a torn Achilles just five months ago.

Tampa Bay will look to continue their quest for another Super Bowl crown against an opponent who should present a higher degree of difficulty than the overmatched Eagles.

Look for both teams to flex their strength in a matchup between two of the best rosters in the league.

Staff Predictions:

Brian: Buccaneers 24, Rams 23

Robert: Buccaneers 17, Rams 35

Krebs: Buccaneers 30, Rams 37

Raymond: Buccaneers 31, Rams 24

Allan: Buccaneers 17, Rams 28

#3 Buffalo Bills at #2 Kansas City Chiefs

Game Info

Date: 1/23/2022

Kickoff Time: 6:30 PM EST 

Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

TV: CBS

Game Odds (Caesars Sportsbook)

Spread: KC -2

Point total: O/U 54

Moneyline: KC -135, BUF +110

Preview:

In a game with “Game of the Playoffs” potential, Josh Allen and Buffalo Bills will travel to Kansas City to take on Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending conference champion Chiefs.

This matchup has multiple levels of intrigue, with the two best quarterbacks in the AFC facing off to determine who advances to the conference championship game.

Both teams enter the game after dominant performances in the Wild Card round. The Bills obliterated the New England Patriots 47-17, and the Chiefs sent the Pittsburgh Steelers packing with a convincing 42-21 victory.

These two AFC juggernauts took different paths to arrive at this point after their earlier meeting that Buffalo won 38-20. 

Faced with adversity for the first time in the Mahomes-Reid era, Kansas City regrouped after the Week 5 loss to win nine of their remaining 11 games to reassert themselves as the team to beat in the AFC.

On the other hand, Buffalo struggled to find their footing after their victory over the Chiefs, dropping five of their next seven games before finishing the season strong with four straight wins. 

In a game with the two most talented young quarterbacks in the NFL and teams with Super Bowl aspirations, expect fireworks in a clash for AFC supremacy.

Staff Predictions:

Brian: Bills 33, Chiefs 30

Robert: Bills 49, Chiefs 56

Krebs: Bills 42, Chiefs 45

Raymond: Bills 42, Chiefs 28

Allan: Bills 38, Chiefs 27