The NFL Playoffs are officially here. This weekend presents a six-game slate, three on Saturday and three on Sunday, as teams look to secure a spot in the Divisional Round.
No. 7 Indianapolis Colts vs No. 2 Buffalo Bills (-6.5)
(11-5, 5-3 AWAY) (13-3, 7-1 HOME)
Jan. 9, 2021. 12:05 p.m. CST (CBS)
Coming off one of the most dominant wins in the league this season, the Buffalo Bills are starting to look like one of the biggest threats to the Kansas City Chiefs to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. Quarterback Josh Allen is playing at an MVP caliber, ending the season with 4,544 passing yards and 37 passing touchdowns. The Bills are the second highest scoring team in the league, scoring 31.3 points per game. The defense for Buffalo has done well too, allowing only 23.4 points per game, which is right near the league average.
The Colts are beneficiaries of the NFL’s extended playoffs this year, earning the extra seventh seed in the AFC. They come in with one of the strongest defenses in the league, led by Linebacker Darius Leonard. Leonard had an efficient season with 132 tackles and 3 sacks. The offense is coming off their best rushing performance thus far this season. Rookie Running Back out of Wisconsin, Jonathan Taylor, has been on a tear as of late. Against the Jaguars, Taylor rushed for 253 yards and two touchdowns, both of which are career highs. If the Colts have any hope at pulling the upset in Buffalo, they are going to have to be solid on defense and continue to roll with Jonathan Taylor.
No. 6 Los Angeles Rams vs No. 3 Seattle Seahawks (-3)
(10-6, 4-4 AWAY) (12-4, 7-1 HOME)
Jan. 9, 2021. 3:40 CST (FOX)
Most experts do not know what to think about this Saturday’s game between the LA Rams and the Seattle Seahawks, which could very well be discussed as the game that is most up in the air.. Saturday’s game will mark the third time these division opponents have faced one another this season. Both squads this season picked up a win on their home field, so Seattle will have that advantage on their home turf. The main question regarding the Rams is if Jared Goff will play. Goff missed week 17’s game against the Cardinals where the Rams were able to secure a playoff spot even without Goff. The Rams were fortunate that Arizona was not at full strength and was able to take advantage of that and secure a playoff spot. This week, however, they will be facing a healthy Seattle team led by Russell Wilson. If Goff is unable to play against their rivals, the Rams might have a hard time keeping up with Seattle’s high-powered offense.
No. 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8) vs No. 4 Washington Football Team
(11-5, 6-2 AWAY) (7-9, 3-5 HOME)
Jan. 9, 2021. 7:15 CST (NBC)
2020 was a weird year for every team in the NFL, and for Tom Brady it saw him on a different team other than the Patriots for the first time in his prolific NFL career. Many experts predicted that Brady was washed up and only going down to Tampa Bay so he can retire in the Florida weather. All he has done is throw for 4,633 yards with 40 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, proving that the legendary Quarterback is still able to play at a high level. Brady also led the Buccaneers to their first playoff berth in 13 years, finishing the regular season with an 11-5 record finishing second in the NFC South and fifth overall in the NFC. Brady is also the beneficiary of having another top ten defense to lead his team. Tampa has been stingy defensively all season, led by the league’s top defense against the run. Devin White has been the most impactful part of that defense with 140 tackles and 9 sacks. Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, White is listed as out for Saturday’s game against Washington, which could be the advantage the underdog Washington might need to pull the upset. Washington is the only playoff team with an overall record below .500 this season. The main reason that they are in the playoffs other than how weak the rest of the NFC East has been, is their defense. Washington has an elite front with rookie Chase Young and Montez Sweat causing havoc for opposing teams’ Quarterbacks. For Washington to have any chance at pulling the upset, the defense is going to have to fulfill Chase Young’s words and get after Tom Brady.
No. 5 Baltimore Ravens (-3) vs No. 4 Tennessee Titans
(11-5, 6-2 AWAY) (11-5, 5-3 HOME)
Jan. 10, 2021. 12:05 p.m. CST (ABC/ESPN)
2020 was full of comebacks but none greater than Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. After a 14-2 season, many had picked the Ravens to be Super Bowl favorites. The Ravens started the first half of the season 6-2, but when the team was hit with a COVID-19 outbreak, they lost three straight games without key players on the field, including Jackson, Mark Andrews and J.K. Dobbins. After a 19-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team was back at full health and the key players were back on the field. Jackson went on a tear, leading his team to five straight wins and sending the Ravens into the playoffs. The Ravens will be facing a team that beat them earlier in the season in the Tennessee Titans. In that game, Derrick Henry was an absolute monster, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown and shredding the Ravens defense. If the Ravens are to move on to the next round, they are going to need to slow down Derrick Henry and continue to be hot on offense.
7Chicago Bears vs 2New Orleans Saints (-10)
(8-8, 5-3 AWAY) (12-4, 6-2 HOME)
Jan. 10, 2021. 3:40 p.m. CST (CBS)
The New Orleans Saints are making their fourth straight playoff appearance as they take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Drew Brees and company look to change the narrative and show that the Saints are not just a regular season juggernaut and a playoff disappointment. The past three postseason appearances have ended in total heartbreak for the Saints. First the Minneapolis Miracle against the Vikings. Second, the no-call pass interference against the Rams. Third, the letdown in Louisiana against the Vikings. Three straight years the Saints have been bounced from the playoffs by heartbreaking scenarios and this year look to right the ship against the Bears. Sunday will be a tough task for the Saints. Even though the Saints are double digit favorites, they are facing off against a much-improved Bears team. After a 5-1 start to the season, the Bears lost six straight games and for many fell out of contention, but by stellar defense and an improved offense under Mitchell Trubisky, have clawed themselves back into the playoffs. The Bears were left with a sour taste left in their mouths after getting crushed by the Packers and presumed MVP Aaron Rodgers, so they will be ready and eager to get on to the field. The Bears have an elite level defense, and if they can limit Drew Brees and potentially force turnovers, they have a chance at getting the upset of the season.
No. 6 Cleveland Browns vs No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (-6)
(11-5, 5-3 AWAY) (12-4, 7-1 HOME)
Jan. 10, 2021. 7:15 p.m. CST (NBC)
The Pittsburgh Steelers started the season with a perfect 11-0 record, their best start in franchise history. However, they finished rather sluggish, finishing their last part of the season 1-4 and ending with a final record of 12-4. The Steelers have the best defense in the NFL, led by maybe the best defensive player in all of football TJ Watt. Watt is the league leader in sacks this season with 15 and has 43 solo tackles. Watt has filled all the opposing quarterbacks with dread having to prepare against him. The Browns on the other hand are making the playoffs for the first time in 18 years. Baker Mayfield has the Browns offense rolling, throwing for 3,563 yards and 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. The Browns and Steelers have played each other twice this season with each team winning once. The Browns look for their first playoff win in decades against the division rival Steelers and look to potentially end Ben Roethlisberger’s Steelers career.