We are super pumped to watch 3 great matchups both days this weekend, check out our picks below!
SATURDAY
7 Indianapolis @ 2 Buffalo 1:05 p.m. ET - CBS
Jake: Bills
With how good this O-Line is for the Colts, Jonathan Taylor could have another explosive game and give the Colts complete control of the clock, but as inconsistent as the Bills run defense has been this year, I don’t think that’s SUPER likely. Additionally, the Colts front 7 should give Allen a little more pressure than he’s been used to recently, but I still think the Bills are too hot right now to lose this game.
Sam: Bills
Johnny: Bills
6 Los Angeles (N) @ 3 Seattle 4:40 p.m. ET - FOX
Jake: Seahawks
The Rams are the type of volatile team that could win any game and also lose any game (see: loss to the Jets). Sean McVay has had Pete Carroll’s number in the past but the Seahawks decidedly won their last matchup, and with questions about whether Goff is healthy enough to play, the Seahawks have this in the bag.
Sam: Seahawks
Goff isn’t exactly elite, but the Rams will be hard pressed to win a playoff game without him.
Johnny: Seahawks
5 Tampa Bay @ 4 Washington 8:15 p.m. ET - NBC
Jake: Buccaneers:
The Bucs are going into the playoffs as a top 3 team in the NFC despite their seeding, and they have a genuine shot to come out on top in the NFC. Yes they’ve gotten cupcake offensive matchups in the last 3 weeks, but Brady’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, and betting against playoff Tom—even at 43—is a bad idea. Brady will struggle with Washington’s deadly pass rush, and it will remain to be seen whether the offensive line will be up for the task, but as volatile as the Bucs defense has been, Washington is the type of offense that they will demolish.
Sam: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have not played like the Super Bowl contenders they were supposed to be, but they just drew one of the easiest playoff matchups in NFL history. Would they beat an average division winner? Maybe. Will they beat the football team? yes.
Johnny: Buccaneers
The 1st key to this game for the Bucs is stopping Chase Young and Montez Sweat, who were both Top-10 edge rushers in the NFL according to PFF. The next key is to establish the short passes and the run game to open up some long bombs to take the Bucs to the divisional round.
SUNDAY
5 Baltimore @ 4 Tennessee 1:05 p.m. ET - ESPN Megacast
Jake: Titans:
The Ravens like to control the clock. So do the Titans. And they’re doing it better than the Ravens this year. The Titans also have more options in the passing game. Tannehill is a better passer than Lamar, and though Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey are brutal matchups for AJ Brown and Corey Davis, the Ravens don’t really have any better receiver options, even with Marquise Brown playing better. This one’s going to be a close game, but I give the Titans the edge, especially because they’ve been great against the Ravens in the past. In the playoffs too.
Sam: Titans
The Ravens have been one of the worst run defending teams in the league this year (according to yards per carry). Should be easy work for Derrick Henry.
Johnny: Titans
Tennessee dominated Baltimore in the divisional round last year, and while the Ravens are the hotter team, they were also the hotter team last year. Unless the Baltimore D stops Henry, Vrabel should come out on top
7 Chicago @ 2 New Orleans 4:40 p.m. ET - CBS, Nickelodeon, Amazon Prime
Jake: Saints
Yeah, next.
Sam: Saints
Ok who let Trubisky into the playoffs? Why is this allowed?
Johnny: Saints
Mitch Trubisky can’t beat Drew Brees in a playoff game to kickoff 2021, I won’t stand for it.
6 Cleveland @ 3 Pittsburgh 8:15 p.m. ET - NBC
Jake: Steelers
The Steelers’ defense is getting killed by Bud Dupree’s loss, but the Steelers almost beat the Browns last week with Mason Rudolph under center: arguably the worst starter in the league last year. With HC Kevin Stefanski unable to be there for the Browns, I don’t think they’re going to be able to pick this one up. The Browns don’t have the receiving core to beat up on the Steelers’ secondary, and even without Dupree they still should generate enough pressure to make Baker Mayfield uncomfortable: which he hates more than most QBs.
Sam: Steelers
Johnny: Browns
I can’t believe this situation. I feel so bad for Cleveland fans. They almost got screwed out of the playoffs because of the WRs in the hot tub, they overcame that and now they arent letting their HC be involved in the game.