Fikkle Fame’s NFL Predictions For January 16th-17th, 2021

This weekend is the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. After enjoying the weekend off, top seeds Green Bay and Kansas City join in the action.

In last weekend’s Wild Card round, the Rams upset the Seahawks in Seattle just two weeks after losing to them in the same venue. Seattle has lost in the Wild Card round two of the last three years; last season they lost in the Divisional Round. The Ravens avenged last year’s playoff loss to the Titans by beating Tennessee in Nashville. The Bills beat the Colts for Buffalo’s first playoff win in 25 years. Washington made a game of it before losing to Tampa Bay. The Bears went back to playing good defense and having a missing in action offense in their loss at New Orleans. Finally, the Browns won their first playoff game since January 1st of 1995, and first road playoff victory since the Nixon Administration with 48-37 dismantling of the Steelers in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicates. Pittsburgh had five turnovers while Cleveland had none, and it’s pretty much impossible to overcome that. Pittsburgh started the year 11-0 and ends it at 12-5.

Games of Saturday January 16th

Los Angeles Rams (11-6) at Green Bay (13-3). Packers favored by 6 ½. O/U: 45.5. Here’s a matchup of the most prolific offense in the NFL vs. the stingiest defense. Green Bay is averaging 31.8 points per game, while the Rams are allowing just 18.5. The Rams have a few key injuries, such as All Universe defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and WR Cooper Kupp. Both are listed as questionable. QB Jared Goff will start, though he will have to deal with his recent thumb injury in the cold of Green Bay. January games in Green Bay can be intimidating for the opposition, especially for a warm weather team. The Packers are rested and riding a six game winning streak. The Packers offensive line, minus the injured David Bakhtiary, must protect QB Aaron Rodgers against this formidable defense; so far, they have risen to the challenge in Bakhtiary’s absense. Packers 27 Rams 20.

Tampa Bay (12-5) at New Orleans (13-4). Saints favored by 3. O/U: 52. The Saints swept their two regular season games with the Buccaneers. This game, of course, features two Super Bowl winning QBs and future Hall of Famers in Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Tampa Bay is listing WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans as questionable, as well as RB Ronald Jones II. Evans led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns and Godwin was second, while Jones led in rushing yards. They say that winning three games against an opponent in the same season is tough, but we think the Saints are up for it, especially at home. Tampa Bay has made great improvement this year and will be a big factor in the NFC again next year, with Brady showing he has not slowed down yet. Saints 31 Buccaneers 27.

Games of Sunday January 17th

Baltimore (12-5) at Buffalo (14-3). Bills favored by 2 ½. O/U: 50. The Ravens were in danger of missing the playoffs all together before ending the season with five straight wins. That really wasn’t an issue for the Bills, who came close to being the top seed in the AFC. Buffalo also closed strong, with a 6-0 run down the stretch. Baltimore is a good road team, with a 6-2 mark during the regular season and that first round playoff win at Tennessee. But the Bills are 7-1 at home, and have a more explosive offense than the Ravens, averaging 31.3 points per game, and led by QB Josh Allen (37 TD passes) and WR Stefon Diggs (1535 yards, 8 TDs). The Bills must contain Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson, who was stellar against the Titans; if they do, they’ll advance. Bills 31 Ravens 27.

Cleveland (12-5) at Kansas City (14-2). Chiefs favored by 10. O/U: 57.5. The Browns have had a fine season, but it will end in Kansas City against the defending Super Bowl champs, whose only losses were to the Raiders in Week 5 and the Chargers in Week 17 when they rested their regulars. This game will feature two of the better young QBs in the NFL in Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield. Expect plenty of scoring, with the Chiefs advancing. Chiefs 38 Browns 26.