SATURDAY
6 Los Angeles (N) @ 1 Green Bay 4:35 p.m. ET - FOX
Jake: Packers
Despite the win, Jared Goff clearly struggled to throw the ball in last week's game, as he’s still recovering from thumb surgery. The Packers defense is much better than the Seahawks’ unit, and even though Aaron Rodgers will face more pressure than he’s used to, his offensive line has been unbelievable this year. Not to mention Rodgers is a lock to win MVP this year. I know the MVP playoff curse always seems to sneak up on players, but it’s not coming this week.
Sam: Packers
Despite the win, the Rams pass offense wasn't particularly impressive last week, which it will have to be for a chance to win vs Green Bay. Rodgers wil face his biggest challenge of the year by far but the Packers offense will absolutely be able to overcome the Rams defense, especially with Donald playing hurt.
Johnny: Packers
It won’t be that cold in Green Bay, forecast says kickoff will be around 35 degrees, but anything under mid-50s is cold for Goff, especially with a healing thumb. Rodgers will watch the Bucs & Saints defenses get beaten up by eachother tomorrow night and await the winner.
5 Baltimore @ 2 Buffalo 8:15 p.m. ET - NBC
Jake: Bills
The Ravens had their fun. Josh Allen’s offense is going to strike early and often, and while the Lamar Jackson Ravens have been fantastic at holding onto early leads, they are horrific at coming back from deficits: which they likely will be in on Saturday night.
Sam: Ravens
The Bills are riding high off their first playoff win since 1995, but they're gonna have to wait a while for their second. The Ravens are red hot and look to be playing their best football of the year at the perfect time. Running has been the way to beat the Bills this year and Lamar Jackson is ready to take advantage of that. This will be the best game of the weekend.
Johnny: Bills
As long as Lamar is somewhat contained, which is obviously easier said than done, but has been done before, then the Bills offense should be ahead most of the time and stay ahead because this Ravens offense struggles playing from behind
SUNDAY
6 Cleveland @ 1 Kansas City 3:05 p.m. ET - CBS
Jake: Chiefs
I know the Browns are “hot” and the Chiefs are more beatable than usual. But come on.
Sam: Chiefs
Do I have to say anything here? The Chiefs may not be playing as good as they did last year but they still haven't lost a game their starters played since October. The Browns on the other hand are fresh off their SuperBowl. They got their victory. That’ll be all.
Johnny: Browns
The Browns got off to a huge lead last week and played prevent/didn’t have halftime HC adjustments for the 2nd half. Mahomes hasn’t played the last TWO weeks and struggled against the Falcons the week before. Watch out for an upset!
5 Tampa Bay @ 2 New Orleans 6:40 p.m. ET - FOX
Jake: Bucs
The Bucs have been embarrassed by the Saints twice. In both games the Bucs offense consistently stalled out with frequent three-and-outs, while the Saints quick hitting offense shredded the Bucs secondary. That’s probably not a great look for the Bucs chances, but I just CANNOT imagine Brady losing to the same team three times in one season. No one has ever done it to Brady, and I don’t think anyone ever will.
Sam: Saints
The “you can't beat a team 3 times” narrative is way overblown, Teams who won the first two matchups are 14-8 in the third. The Bucs are playing better football than they were during the first two beatings, but it wont be enough. They didn't deserve to be on the same field as the Saints in November.
Johnny: Buccaneers
Brady has been on fire the last few weeks and if you want to say “oh well he played the Falcons twice” then I’ll respond with “Oh Mahomes only put up 17" against those Falcons.