Sunday, January 17, 2021

NFL Divisional Predictions (Sunday Edition)

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NFL Predictions - 

Browns at Chiefs -

This could go two ways, in my opinion! Browns could come out swinging like last week and get the early jump on Kansas City. Or Kansas could out swinging early and the game is over for the Browns. I think the Browns have played a lot of inconsistent football over the past month or so. They are certainly capable of pulling off the upset, though. Baker Mayfield has played really well at the quarterback position and they have the best rushing attack left in the NFL playoffs. They run the football better than any team during the regular season and they can get a lot of explosive plays rushing the ball. In fact, no team has produced more explosive 20+ runs this season than the Cleveland Browns! My fear is that the defense is questionable and they might struggle to stay in this game, if the offense can't produce the points/yards. 

I have real concerns about the Chiefs and how they have played over the past month or so. They been good at times and others they have really struggled to put away their opponents, too. Mahomes also has struggled with turning the football over, too. In the month of December, he had a lot of questionable plays that we haven't seen out of him all season. I think Andy Reid needs to get some better plays for him, too. The run game has also been a little questionable, too. But I will say that injuries to the position has slowed them down. I also don't think Kansas City defense is great, either. I don't think Pat Mahomes makes this game close, I think it is the lackluster run game and defense that could possibly keep it close overall!

Prediction - I could see the Browns getting the upset in this one, but Pat Mahomes is special. He's built DIFFERENT. Guys like this take over game in the postseason and I fully expect him to have one of his best games of the season. I think Browns could stay in it with their run offense, but at some point I think Kansas City will start to run away with it! I think Chiefs win by double digits! 

Bucs at Saints - 

I felt like of all 4 games this was the one game that could go either way, honestly. Like I have no idea which team is gonna pull this one off and I am not 100% confident in who win this one. The Bucs are the healthier team and probably has played better on offense in the month of December and maybe last week, too. I think the Bucs are playing better football than they did in either of the first two matchups vs the Saints. I think Brady probably playing the best football of the season. Since their bye, no quarterback has played better than Tom Brady. The Bucs are built to play in a game like this. However, I do believe the Bucs would have a lot better shot at home than on the road. I will say that the Bucs' offense is really scary with all of the weapons that they have down in Tampa Bay. I mean, how do you stop this offense consistently? There are guys all over this offense that is capable of going off on any given play. It's a scary unit!

The Saints will be without both Taysom Hill and Murray for this big time matchup for tonight! I think this will only affect the Saints in the run game and that is a major strength early for the Bucs. As the Bucs are No.1 vs the run game. So hard to say how much of impact that it has there. I think if anything it just takes a wrinkle out of the Saints offense. The Bucs know who they need to stop on the Saints' offense! But make no mistake, though. This Saints' roster is scary good overall and still has a loaded team on both side of the ball. The Saints has the best defense in the NFL playoffs and has a playoff led by Drew Brees and probably could drop 30 points on any team. If the Bucs are at a disadvantage in this game, then it will be in the pass game. As good as the Bucs been vs the run, they have been outside the top 20 vs the pass all season long. You think the Saints not gonna pass the ball a lot in this game? Think again! 

Prediction - This game could go either way and I am really not sure who will win yet. However, I am leaning towards the Saints right now. I could easily see Bucs winning this one, but I love the Saints at home and they already beat them twice. Typically, if you beat a team twice then you should be able to beat them a third time. Maybe I am wrong on that, but my gut is telling me that the top 2 seed in each conference will advance this weekend! 

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