Los Angeles Rams (+6-1/2) at Green Bay Packers: What a matchup, as the Rams top ranked defense (in terms of points and yards allowed) faces off against the highest scoring offense in the NFL! The Rams have allowed only 17 touchdown passes all season while Packers WR Davante Adams alone has 18 TD catches. All that said, the Rams are sweating out the status of All Pro DT Aaron Donald, who injured his ribs against the Seahawks last week. Donald will likely play but he'll be far from 100%.
Unfortunately for the Rams, their offense has been pretty inconsistent throughout the year and now they're having to deal with less than optimal health against a solid Packers defense. While QB Jared Goff did just enough last week to help L.A. win, the thumb on his throwing hand is still banged up. Add to that top WR Cooper Kupp enduring a knee contusion and the situation looks bleak for the passing game. If rookie RB Cam Akers can give a semblance of the production he put forth last week (176 total yards and 1 TD), the Rams have a shot. Weather shouldn't be a huge factor in Green Bay, as temperatures will be in the 30s with only a slight chance of precipitation.
Hey, remember last April when the Packers drafted QB Aaron Rodgers' successor and it was going to result in a dysfunctional 2020 season due to the likely alienation of the future Hall of Famer? Good times!
Green Bay 27 Los Angeles 17
Baltimore Ravens (+2-1/2) at Buffalo Bills: You have to believe that Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is licking his proverbial chops over this matchup. Jackson and Co. are the top run offense in the NFL (fresh off 236 yards on the ground last week) going against a Bills defense allowing 4.6 yards per carry, which ranks 26th out of 32 teams. While the Bills' strength is in their passing game, they've got a difficult task against a stingy Baltimore pass defense, which allowed the sixth fewest yards in the NFL.
There's a decent chance of snow in Orchard Park, NY Saturday evening, so in my mind that only enhances Baltimore's chances for the upset.
Baltimore 24 Buffalo 20
Cleveland Browns (+10) at Kansas City Chiefs: The Browns are a nice story this season. First time in the postseason since 2002. Their thorough ass-kicking of the Pittsburgh Steelers last week was their first playoff win since 1994. Their reward? The defending Super Bowl champions.
I'm always a little nervous when teams with a first round bye rest all their starters in the regular season finale. That means two full weeks without game action, so it typically takes a series or two to shake the rust. I believe the Browns can and will be competitive this game but will ultimately fall short.
Kansas City 38 Cleveland 31
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) at New Orleans Saints: The Saints dismantled the Bucs in two regular season matchups, so you know what that means. It's the vapid chanting point of "It's hard to beat a team three times in one year." Well, that's literally false. Since 1970, the team who swept its divisional opponent during the regular season has won the playoff matchup more than two-thirds of the time.
The focus of course will be on the two Hall of Fame QBs. With 43-year old Tom Brady taking on 42-year old Drew Brees, this game sets a record for oldest combined age of the two starting quarterbacks. Amazingly, both are still playing at a high level. It's a shame one of 'em has to lose.
New Orleans 30 Tampa Bay 24
My 2020 postseason record:
Against the spread: 1-4-1
Straight up: 4-2
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