NFL Playoffs Predictions – Page 2

NFL Playoff Divisional Round First Thought Predictions, Lines

The first predictions, early lines, and quick analysis of all the 2021 NFL playoff games.

The first predictions, early lines, and quick analysis of all the 2021 NFL playoff games.

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– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

NFL Playoff Divisional Round First Thought Predictions
– Baltimore at Buffalo
– Cleveland at Kansas City
– Tampa Bay at New Orleans

Well that was a whole big big of fantastic.

The massive expanded NFL Wild Card weekend was outstanding from beginning to end. Even when there was a bit of a dud – (cough) Chicago New Orleans (cough) – it was still relatively entertaining in the glut of all those games that matter.

And now we get even more fun.

Two games Saturday, two games Sunday, and they’re going to be loaded.

Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen headline Saturday night when Baltimore goes to Buffalo, and we get Round 3 of Brady vs. Brees when Tampa Bay goes to New Orleans to end Sunday night.

Oh yeah, and the Rams going to Green Bay on Saturday and Cleveland taking its show to Kansas City on Sunday isn’t bad either.

So what’s going to happen?

As we do this for the college side, we go with the first-guess picks and then work from there. Like they tell you in third grade, always go with your first answer. I don’t look at the lines, guess at what they are, and then add them at the end.

By the way … went 6-0 straight up and 5-1 against the spread when doing this for the Wild Card round.

However, when our game previews come out – after the news of the week happens and there’s even more of a deep dive happening – these can and might change, but …

2021 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round: Saturday

6 Los Angeles Rams at 1 Green Bay Packers

Saturday, January 16
FOX, 4:35 ET
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: The Rams were able to pull it off against a Seattle team that – for some bizarre reason – thought the answer to not being able to hit third down plays was to keep chucking it deep. Green Bay will be sharper all the way around.

That LA D – No. 1 in the NFL – is obviously amazing, but Aaron Donald is banged up, and as good as that performance against the Seahawks was, that’s not going to be enough to overcome a still-injured Jared Goff.

Green Bay doesn’t turn the ball over enough to matter here, but there’s a bigger problem … Green Bay.

It’s still almost a week away, but it’s expected to be around 20ish degrees at game time.

Knee-Jerk No Research Prediction: Green Bay 26, Los Angeles 16
Early Line No-Look Guess: Green Bay -7.5
Actual BetMGM Line: Green Bay -7, o/u: 46

NFL Playoff Divisional Round First Thought Predictions
– Baltimore at Buffalo
– Cleveland at Kansas City
– Tampa Bay at New Orleans

NEXT: Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills

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5 Best NFL Predictions Against The Spread: NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend

What 5 NFL games appear to be the best bets and the best picks against the spread going into the NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend?

What 5 NFL games appear to be the best bets and the best picks against the spread going into the NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend?

NFL Playoffs Fearless Predictions, Game Previews
– CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
– CFN Expert Picks: NFL Playoffs
– Wild Card Weekend Schedule, Predictions

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Click on each game for the game preview and fearless prediction.

5. Indianapolis at Buffalo

LINE: Buffalo -6.5
ATS PICK: Indianapolis
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

How Not To Start An Article Pumping Up The 5 Best NFL Playoff Picks …

This is a tough one to sell.

Buffalo has been amazing. It’s playing loose, it’s playing with swagger, and it’s playing like a team that’s on the ascension of something big as a 2 seed that in a just-and-right playoff system should be getting the week off.

From a rooting standpoint, you want this Buffalo team to win. It’s fun, it’s exciting, and the limited Bills Mafia in attendance will be going out of their collective minds.

Indianapolis isn’t just any 7 seed.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, in that same just-and-right playoff system the Colts aren’t even it it, but if they’re playing up to all of their capabilities, they become one awful matchup problem for these Bills.

In the NFC, New Orleans gets Chicago as the 7. The Colts really should be considered the 4th-to-5ish best team in the AFC.

The Buffalo running backs are fine and the rushing numbers are there, but the Colt D that hasn’t allowed more than 90 yards in five straight games.

The Indy pass defense isn’t totally awful, the offensive line is among the best in the league, Jonathan Taylor is rising up into superstar running back status, and Philip Rivers is a veteran who isn’t going to blink at the big game atmosphere and moment.

So forgive the lack of hard numbers, recent history, and data points to suggest that the Colts could hang within a touchdown of a Buffalo team that’s murdering everyone over the last six weeks.

Forgive the “feel” pick – the Colts keep this close. And if they don’t, all apologies, These other four picks should make up for it.

NEXT: Chicago at New Orleans point total

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NFL Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews, Lines, TV: NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend

NFL Playoffs Wild Card predictions, TV schedules, game previews and game times.

NFL Playoffs Wild Card predictions, TV schedules, game previews and game times.

– CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
– CFN Expert Picks: NFL Playoffs

Results So Far: SU 158-77-1, ATS 120-116-1, o/u: 142-95

Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Prediction, AFC Wild Card Preview

Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers prediction, NFL Playoff AFC Wild Card game preview.

Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers prediction, NFL Playoff AFC Wild Card game preview.

Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers Broadcast

Date: Sunday, January 10
Game Time: 8:15 ET
Venue: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
Network: NBC

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

(6) Cleveland Brown (11-5) vs (3) Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why The Cleveland Browns Will Win The AFC Wild Card

So we just did this last week. What did the Browns do right to get into the playoffs besides get to play against QB Mason Rudolph and a team that didn’t really need to win?

Mason Rudolph doesn’t play defense.

Again, this isn’t a game the Steelers needed, but the defense still gave it a shot and struggled against the Brown ground game that’s third in the NFL and great at cranking out yards in chunks.

Yes, it’ll be a talking point that it took everything in the bag to get by when Cleveland was really, really, really trying to win, but Pittsburgh is really, really, really struggling.

It had a good half against Indianapolis to get by 28-24 just after Christmas to get the No. 3 seed, and that’s been about it. The team hasn’t exactly been sharp over the last several weeks, with that the lone win in five games.

There’s absolutely no Steeler running game – it’s dead last in the league overall and without and big dashes – with just one 100-yard day in the last 11 games, but that’s been okay. The team was able to get to 11-0 without being anything special on the ground, but now there’s another issue.

The defense isn’t taking the ball away.

Cleveland is hardly a perfect team, but it doesn’t turn the ball over. There were two giveaways in the clunker against the Jets, but that’s been about it – the Browns haven’t given it up multiple times in any of the other games over the last ten, and Pittsburgh could use the help.

However …

NEXT: Why The Pittsburgh Steelers Will Win The AFC Wild Card

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Chicago Bears vs New Orleans Saints Prediction, NFC Wild Card Preview

Chicago Bears vs New Orleans Saints prediction, NFC Wild Card preview.

Chicago Bears vs New Orleans Saints prediction, NFL Playoff NFC Wild Card preview.

Chicago Bears vs New Orleans Saints Broadcast

Date: Sunday, January 10
Game Time: 4:40 ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Network: CBS

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

(7) Chicago Bears (8-8) vs (2) New Orleans Saints (12-4) NFC Wild Card Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why The Chicago Bears Will Win The NFC Wild Card

The running game continues to work.

The Bears made changes in who’s handling the offense and how it’s run, and everything changed late in the season after struggling through disastrous losses against Green Bay and Detroit.

The offensive line started playing better, David Montgomery became a force, and Mitchell Trubisky – when not having to deal with graduate level NFL quarterbacking – has been solid.

All of a sudden, the offense exploded with its best run of the year before running into Green Bay. In this, run well, have a chance to pull off the win.

New Orleans has allowed more than 115 rushing yards three times and lost all three games. Chicago has run for more than 115 yards in five of the last six games.

Before all of this, the Bears were able to push New Orleans hard in a Week 8 overtime loss with the defense doing a decent job of holding down the Saint passing attack from going off, and it held the ground attack to just 122 yards.

Yes, everything is supposed to be fine and everyone is expected to be back, but the New Orleans running backs are coming off of a stretch of being out thanks to the COVID protocol. If this game was played on Saturday, Alvin Kamara and others wouldn’t be able to play.

– Why New Orleans Will Win
– What’s Going to Happen, Prediction

NEXT: Why The New Orleans Saints Will Win The NFC Wild Card

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Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans Prediction, AFC Wild Card Preview

Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans NFL Playoff AFC Wild Card prediction, game preview.

Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans NFL Playoff AFC Wild Card prediction, game preview.

Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans Broadcast

Date: Sunday, January 10
Game Time: 1:05 ET
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Network: ABC & ESPN

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

(5) Baltimore Ravens (11-5) vs (4) Tennessee Titans (11-5) AFC Wild Card Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why The Tennessee Titans Will Win The AFC Wild Card

It’s possible to break off big runs on the Baltimore defense.

The Titans ran for 173 yards in the 30-24 overtime win in Baltimore the first time around, and they’re not alone. Philadelphia ran well, and so did New England, and so did Cincinnati. That doesn’t necessarily guarantee a win, but being able to pound away against this team certainly helps.

Having Derrick Henry helps.

The 2,000-yard back ran for 133 yards and a touchdown in a workmanlike effort in the first game, and Ryan Tannehill was fantastic. He threw a pick, but he also connected on 71% of his passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns and was able to run a little bit.

But the defense?

Yes, Tennessee has one of the NFL’s worst defenses, and yes, it gives up way too many yards and doesn’t take the ball away enough over the second half of the season, but it’s biggest issues are with the high-powered passing teams. That’s not Baltimore.

Lamar Jackson has been phenomenal lately, and the passing games been great, but it’s the Raven ground game that’s getting it done. Tennessee held the Ravens to 129 yards in the first game, and it’ll take that again.

However …

NEXT: Why The Baltimore Ravens Will Win The AFC Wild Card

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Football Team Prediction, NFC Wild Card Preview

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Football Team prediction, NFL Playoffs NFC Wild Card game preview

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Football Team prediction, NFL Playoff NFC Wild Card game preview

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Football Team Broadcast

Date: Saturday, January 9
Game Time: 8:15 ET
Venue: FedEx Field, Landover, MD
Network: NBC

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

(5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) vs (4) Washington Football Team (7-9) NFC Wild Card Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why The Washington Football Team Will Win The NFC Wild Card

The defense is really just that good.

The Tampa Bay defense is tremendous, and that’s okay. Washington has no problem whatsoever getting into a low-scoring defensive battle that grinds things down a bit and puts a premium on ball security and capitalizing on key moments.

The Football Team has the second-best D in the NFL with a phenomenal pass rush that could and should get to Tom Brady on a semi-consistent basis, and it’s going to force the Bucs to be great on the ground.

No one has thrown for more than 200 yards in any of the last three games against WFT – and that includes Seattle – and only the Rams and Steelers were able to hit 300 on this secondary.

And Washington beat Pittsburgh.

Again, turnovers really, really matter here, and again, Chase Young and the pass rush will be a big deal.

How did New Orleans beat Tampa Bay twice in easy fashion? Pass rush, takeaways – three in each win. How did the Rams get it done? Pass rush, two takeaways.

Tampa Bay is 1-4 when turning it over multiple times, and 10-0 when it doesn’t.

Washington has forced multiple takeaways n five of its last seven games.

However …

– WhyTampa Bay Will Win
– What’s Going to Happen, Prediction

NEXT: Why The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Will Win The NFC Wild Card

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Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks Prediction, NFC Wild Card Preview

Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks prediction, NFC Wild Card game preview

Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks Broadcast

Date: Saturday, January 9
Game Time: 4:40 ET
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Network: FOX

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

(6) Los Angeles Rams (10-6) vs (3) Seattle Seahawks (12-4) NFC Wild Card Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why The Los Angeles Rams Will Win The NFC Wild Card

Seattle is fading at the exact wrong time … sort of.

Now, things aren’t that bad – the team has won its last four games with a tweak over the last month with the defense taking over more – but can the offense get it going again?

The Rams might have lost 20-9 in the meeting just a few weeks ago, but the defense worked allowing just 292 yards of total Seattle offense.

Last year, the Seahawks dropped three of their last four regular season games with the offense struggling a bit too much. They managed to get by Philadelphia in the Wild Card round before losing to Green Bay, but again, is this the style of play that can work if the Ram offense gets going?

The Seahawk defense was an issue for most of the season – more on that in a moment – against the good passing teams, but now the O is having problems, coming up with fewer than 330 yards in five of the last six games.

The Ram attack has hardly set the world on first over the last month with a puzzling loss to the Jets, a dud against Seattle, and with a rough performance without Jared Goff in a knockout game against Arizona. However, Goff’s surgically repaired hand seems okay, the midrange passing game should work if the offense can get into an early rhythm, and the defense is still the defense.

Get up fast, get into a groove, and then turn the game over to the best defense in the NFL. The Rams are particularly strong at limiting the big plays downfield, and that’s what Seattle does.

However …

– Why Seattle Will Win
– What’s Going to Happen, Prediction

NEXT: Why The Seattle Seahawks Will Win The NFC Wild Card

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Buffalo Bills vs Indianapolis Colts Prediction, AFC Wild Card Preview

Buffalo Bills vs Indianapolis Colts prediction, AFC Wild Card preview.

Buffalo Bills vs Indianapolis Colts prediction, AFC Wild Card preview.

Buffalo Bills vs Indianapolis Colts Broadcast

Date: Saturday, January 9
Game Time: 1:05 ET
Venue: Bills Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Network: CBS

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

(2) Buffalo Bills (13-3) vs (7) Indianapolis Colts (11-5) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Indianapolis Colts Will Win

The Colts had one lousy half over the last five games that cost them a win. This isn’t your normal seven-seed, especially in this new playoff format with so many teams getting in.

The lines are good enough to more than hold up on both sides of the ball, Philip Rivers is a veteran passer who won’t have any sort of a problem in a big moment like this, and the defense continues to be fantastic. It hasn’t allowed more than 90 rushing yards in any of the last five games or in six of the last seven.

This is a tight team that’s not going to give up enough turnovers to matter, leading the NFL with the fewest fumbles lost – sort of stunning considering putting the ball on the ground was a huge issue for Jonathan Taylor at Wisconsin – and with just three giveaways over the last five games.

How do you beat Buffalo? You run, you run, and you run well. The Bills gave up over 200 rushing yards twice – losing both games – and were hit by Tennessee for 139.

Indianapolis has rushed for over 200 yards in two of the last four games with the ground attack rolling over the second half of the season.

– CFN Experts Picks: NFL Wild Card Weekend

Why Buffalo Bills Will Win

Is anyone playing better going into the 2021 NFL Playoffs?

The Bills aren’t just playing very, very well, but they’re having way too much fun and are way too loose – they’re playing like a confident group that knows they can win in just about any way.

The running backs might not be crushing it, but helped by Josh Allen, the ground attack has been consistently great. Allen has gone off for over 340 yards in four of the last five games, and in the one game it didn’t get there, the defense stepped up with one of its best performances of the season in a win over Pittsburgh.

The takeaways are there on a regular basis from the aggressive D that makes teams pay for pressing, and the offense continues to improve with a league-high in first downs and third down conversion showing off the explosion and versatility to keep things moving.

For all of the great things this Colt team does, the secondary gives up too many yards, allowing over 300 in four of the last give games. This is Allen’s moment, and the MVP candidate needs to come through, but …

What’s Going To Happen

This is a strong, tough, experienced Colt team that’s not expected to win. The pressure is all on Buffalo at home to be amazing, the pressure is all on Allen to carry the entire Bills Mafia nation, and the pressure is on as the 2-seed to make a deep run in these playoffs and end up playing the Chiefs with a shot at ending up in Tampa.

And then comes the big interception … of a Phil Rivers pass.

This will likely go one of two ways. Either Buffalo – who’s one Kyler Murray Hail Mary away from being on a ten-game-winning streak – gets up 14-0 right away and this becomes one big, cathartic party in Bills Stadium, or the Colts are able to grind this down and make this a fight.

Expect the latter with the running game working and the Indianapolis defense playing well enough to keep Allen and company from getting into any sort of a groove, and then the Bill D will come through.

Rivers will throw a big pick, the Bill offense will score four plays later, and all of Orchard Park will breathe a sigh of relief.

Buffalo Bills vs Indianapolis Colts Prediction, Line

Buffalo 27, Indianapolis 23
Bet on Buffalo Bills vs Indianapolis Colts with BetMGM
Buffalo -6.5, o/u: 51
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 5

5: One Night in Miami
1: Call Me Kat

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NFL Playoff First Thought Predictions, Lines, Bracket, Super Bowl Pick

The first predictions, early lines, and quick analysis on all of the 2021 NFL playoff games.

The first predictions, early lines, and quick analysis on all of the 2021 NFL playoff games.

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– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

The NFL has made its way through, it expanded to include everyone who can throw a football and chew gum at the same time, and now comes the payoff with one-and-done games that ramp the intensity up a few levels.

Who’s going to win, how will the bracket go, and who’ll win the Super Bowl?

2021 NFL Playoffs Wild Card Round: Saturday

7 Indianapolis Colts at 2 Buffalo Bills

Saturday, January 9
CBS, 1:05 pm
Bills Stadium, Orchard Park, NY

Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: The Colt lines are just good enough be a bother throughout. The great offensive front should be able to pound through the Bill defensive front, and on the other side, now the pressure is on. Josh Allen and the Bills are supposed to win. They’re supposed to keep this fun going. And they will, but it’ll be a bit of a grind until the Colt offense stalls in the fourth quarter and Buffalo finally pulls away.

Knee-Jerk No Research Prediction: Buffalo 30, Indianapolis 20
Early Line No-Look Guess: Buffalo -6.5
Actual BetMGM Line: Buffalo -6.5, o/u: 52.5

6 Los Angeles Rams at 3 Seattle Seahawks

Saturday, January 9
FOX, 4:40 pm
Lumen Field, Seattle, WA

Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: Is Jared Goff able to go? How healthy is the rest of the Ram offense? It won’t matter – the defense will pick up the slack. This is a flaky LA team that could just as easily get blown out from jump as it could roll through with a stunning run. Seattle’s defense that’s had so many issues this year will get exposed further.

Knee-Jerk No Research Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 26, Seattle 23
Early Line No Look Guess: Seattle -4.5
Actual BetMGM Line: Seattle -4.5, o/u: 42

5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 4 Washington Football Team

Saturday, January 9
NBC, 8:15 pm
FedEx Field, Landover, MD

Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: BE … CAREFUL. Everyone will mock, ridicule, and laugh at a 7-9 team being in the playoffs, but this defense is the real deal. Weather will matter a bit for the guys from Tampa, but the bigger problem will be Chase Young and a pass rush that will disrupt Tom Brady – the first time in weeks anyone will do that – and make this a fight. However, the Football Team offense will stall and make just enough mistakes to not pull this off, but the Buccaneers will get pushed.

Knee-Jerk No Research Prediction: Tampa Bay 23, Washington 16
Early Line No Look Guess: Tampa Bay -6.5
Actual BetMGM Line: Tampa Bay -7.5, o/u: 46.5

NFL Playoff First Thought Predictions
– Wild Card: Sunday
– Divisional Round: NFC
– Divisional Round: AFC
– Conference Championships, Super Bowl

NEXT: 2021 NFL Playoffs Wild Card Round: Sunday

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