RECORD LAST WEEK 6-0 PLAYOFF RECORD 6-0
Saturday, January 22, 2022 - 3:30 pm
Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans
The Bengals got their first playoff win in 31 years last week defeating the Raiders 26 -19. Joe Burrow is the hottest quarterback in the league right now, and that carried into last week as he had 244 yards and touchdowns with no turnovers. The Titans secured the number one overall seed despite missing their best player, Derrick Henry, for the final half of the season. The Titans ranked second to last in catches and yards allowed to wide receivers this season so, the Bengals will have their opportunities, but the Titans pass rush will be one to look out for. As I said last week, the Bengals offensive line is their weak spot and the Titans like Las Vegas have the pass rush that can get to Burrow. For the Titans on offense, it sounds like they could be getting Derrick Henry back, and the Bengals lost three defensive lines to injury last week. It feels like the Titans are being disrespected as the one seed, especially because everyone loves the Bengals right now. My heart says the Bengals, but my gut is saying the Titans, and I’m going to roll with my gut.
Bengals 24 - Titans 27
Saturday, January 22, 2022 - 7:15 pm
San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers
The 49ers travel to Lambeau to play the Packers after pulling off the huge upset last weekend in Dallas. I know some Packers fans are mad at me for even suggesting 49ers victory this week, but the 49ers have the personnel to get the win. They have a strong run game led by their all-around offensive threat, Deebo Samuel and Elijah Mitchell. The Packers have struggled against the run as they give up 4.7 yards per carry and 109.1 rushing yards per game. If the 49ers can have success in the run game, and take pressure off Jimmy G, they could be fine, but as always, you have to watch out for the crucial turnovers as he even had one last week that got Dallas back into the game. The 49ers also have two more great weapons in Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle however, the Packers strength is their pass defense as they finished 6th in interceptions and 10th in QB rating allowed. Green Bay is also getting extremely healthy, they get back elite cornerback Jaire Alexander as well as Za’Darius Smith and David Bakhtiari, all of them elite at their positions. The Packers pass rush going against the 49ers strong offensive line is a great matchup and very well could determine the winner. These two teams played earlier in the season and the Packers squeaked out a 30-28 win. In Aaron Rodgers last seven games he has 20 touchdowns to 0 interceptions. In the first matchup between these two, Davante Adams had 12 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers is 0-3 in his career versus the Niners in the playoffs, but I believe he gets the victory this weeks and advances once again to the NFC Championship.
49ers 21 - Packers 26
Sunday, January 23, 2022 - 3:00 pm
Los Angeles Rams @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Rams travel to Tampa Bay to take on Tom Brady and the Bucs. These two teams also played in week 3 as the Rams won 34-24. The Rams have the team perfectly built to stop the Bucs as they have pass rushers everywhere, and when their secondary is playing to its potential, this defense is one of the best in the league. The Bucs also lost multiple weapons in Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown. Jalen Ramsey will take the assignment of slowing down Mike Evans, but the Rams will need to find a way to stop Gronk. The Rams do force turnovers as they were third in interceptions, they’re also ranked 5th in QB rating allowed. The Bucs offensive line was beat up last week, and they lost their All-Pro Right Tackle, Tristan Wirfs. The Eagles sacked Brady 5 times last week, and if the Eagles could do that, the Rams certainly can. The Rams ranked 3rd in sacks and with Von Miller and Aaron Donald, the Bucs need their offensive line in top shape. The Bucs defense has a great pass rush, but the Rams don’t allow many sacks just like the Bucs. Tampa Bay blitzes more than any team in the league, but Matthew Stafford was the best QB against the blitz posting a 139.6 QB rating. The Rams got Cam Akers back, but the Bucs run defense is one of the best. The Bucs pass defense against better QBs hasn’t been that good, and if Stafford has similar success to his four-touchdown performance in week 3, the Rams should be fine. It’s hard to pick against the GOAT, Tom Brady, but I’m rolling with the Rams this week. Rams 30 - Bucs 27
Sunday, January 23, 2022 - 6:30pm
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs
The game of the week, Josh Allen and the Bills travel to KC and face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. These two teams have played three times over the past two seasons, the Chiefs going 2-1 in those games, including an AFC Championship last January. Mahomes and Allen were both sensational last week as both threw 5 touchdowns. It’ll be interesting to see what adjustments the Chiefs made from their week 5 matchup in which the Bills won 38-20. These two teams are very similar, they both play the pass well, the Bills are 1st in just about everything in terms of pass defense. Also, the Chiefs do a great job of pressuring the Quarterback, but the Bills allowed the 2nd least number of sacks this season. Both these defenses struggle against the run, so that’s a wash. The biggest concern for KC is their third down and red zone defense while that’s where the Bills are great. I knew I was going to have trouble picking this game, as I love both QBs, but until I see the Chiefs dethroned in the AFC, I’m going to pick them. Don’t bet against Pat Mahomes.
Bills 31 - Chiefs 34
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